Page 53 of Playing Pretend
I cringe. “I walked in on him in the bathroom while he was getting up close and personal with his rather large—”
“Sit the fuck down.” She jabs a pointed finger at the bed. “We’re skipping dinner. You’re not leaving until I have every single detail of what’s gone on between you two.”
I chuckle as my cell vibrates on the table. Cassidy’s beeps from nearby. “I think I’ve shared enough for one day.” I sidestep to pick my phone up and check my screen.
Pete:Don’t forget we’re on the beach tonight. I expect you all here in fifteen minutes. Anyone who turns up late will be required to make thirty cold calls to potential clients first thing Monday morning.
“Shit.” I meet Cassidy’s gaze. “You need to get ready.”
“Was that a warning from the boss?”
I nod. “With a threat of cold calls.”
CHAPTER10
Piper
I step into the hall,leaving Cassidy to get dressed, but I can’t bring myself to continue toward the elevators.
I don’t want to pass my suite and chance running into Rome. Not yet, anyway. I have to sort out my next move.
“Two more nights,” I whisper to myself.
That’s all that stands between me and the career I’ve worked for. A career positioned beside the two people I love most. The men who have always valued and respected me more than anyone else.
“Only two more nights.” Then I’ll be so busy I won’t even remember this weekend. The heated memories will be suffocated by workload. Julian’s nastiness will feel like a past life.
I force myself from Cassidy’s door and head toward the fire escape.
I fumble down the stairs, my limbs numb from the alcoholic influence I shouldn’t have indulged in. It isn’t until I reach the lobby that I text Rome—
Piper
Sorry for the late notice, but I forgot to tell you dinner is on the beach. I’ll meet you there.
Maybe he already found his way. Maybe he’s waiting, preparing to launch into another speech that will set my cheeks to flame and my stomach tumbling.
I slow my steps, my cowardice showing.
“Waiting for someone?” Max bounds across the lobby, barefoot, sun-kissed, and clearly drunk. “Where’s your date?”
I smile awkwardly at his description of Rome and swipe at a nonexistent piece of fluff on my dress. “We’re meeting outside. Are you behaving yourself? Or will this be another sleep-by-the-ocean kind of night?”
“I haven’t stopped drinking since we arrived, which means the second option is more than likely.” He slinks his arm around mine, hooking elbows with me. “Come on. Let’s get wasted.”
I chuckle, following him outside.
We skirt the pool, the warm breeze kicking up the long lengths of my dress and loosening short wisps of hair from my braid.
Two more nights.
I remain at Max’s side as we walk the well-trodden dirt path leading over the grass to the beach. I pause once we reach the sand. A white marquee bathed in twinkling lights is illuminated up ahead, a crowd already gathered underneath while the sun slowly sets behind it. My colleagues drink and chat, their laughter rivaling the sound of the crashing ocean waves.
“What’s the holdup?” Max takes an additional step before stopping.
“Nothing.”Everything.I want to relax and mingle like everyone else. But how can I do that when I still have no idea how to handle Rome, let alone Julian? “I’m going to take off my sandals. I’ll catch up to you in a minute.”
Max slides his arm out from mine. “You’ll find me near the alcohol.” He continues without me, stumbling over the sand to disappear into the throng of realtors.
