Page 60 of The King Contract
I sigh. “Because when she’s worried or stressed she does this thing where she presses her fingers into her palm over and over.Sometimes it’s like she’s going to draw blood. I don’t know if she knows she’s doing it, but it’s one of her tells and she . . .” I drift off at the sight of Mack’s eyes narrowing, his grin returning.
“What?” I snap.
“Nothing.”
“Do me a favour and try not to be yourself this weekend,” I plead.
Mack shakes his head before turning back to unload the car. “Don’t deflect this onto me. You’ve got it bad, bro.”
The pulse in my neck starts to thrum. “I do not.”
Mack chortles. “You need to talk to her.”
I hesitate. “I can’t.”
Mack looks at me incredulously. “Why not?”
“Because.” I run a hand through my hair. “This is meant to be platonic. A business contract. I’ve got paperwork, for fuck’s sake. Am I supposed to ask her if she’s keen to get physical? Do I update the contract? What if I’ve misread this whole thing?”
Mack looks at me like I’ve spoken Russian. “You know, I pride myself on being the biggest peanut of our group, but you’re giving me a run for my money right now.” He grabs the bound blanket and shoves it into my chest. “Talkto her, you coward.”
That’s exactly it. I’m a coward. A coward who’s not looking for a relationship. A coward who is renowned for ruining the good things in his life. Yes, I’m attracted to Millie, and I love hanging out with her, but the biggest thing is that Millie has become my friend. I like talking to her and spending time with her, and I don’t want to mess that up. I have the potential to scare her off or open up a door I don’t know I’m willing to talk through yet. My career is still my priority, even if that makes me selfish.
“Shit. Iama coward.”
Mack drops pillows on top of the blanket in my arms. “Affirmative. How about you try to enjoy the weekend and if theopportunity arises to, you know, communicate like anadult, you take it?”
I tip my head back to look at the blue sky above me. “I promised myself I’d never take your advice again, but somehow this makes sense.”
Mack winks.
24
MILLIE
Sour snaps
Growingup minutes from the beach means I’ve watched people surf my whole life. But none have ever been as fluid as Noah on a surfboard.
He carves through waves like they’re butter, his flexibility allowing him to bend and whip ridiculously fast as he masters each surge of water beneath him. Even from the shoreline, where the water laps at my shins, I see the concentration on his face, and the joy he experiences when he accomplishes something particularly challenging.
I’m not sure how many photos I take, my finger trigger-happy as I snap picture after picture of Noah and his friends hollering from their boards. My camera gives me close-ups of the smiles on their faces, and I mimic them as I watch through my lens.
“It’s impressive, huh?” Erin shields her face from the sun as she stares out at our friends.
I lower my camera, still smiling. “Very.”
Erin has been friends with Steph since they met at one of those silent retreats several years ago and bonded over thefact they couldn’t keep their mouths shut. They departed the retreat early and ended up at the pub, where their friendship blossomed.
Erin prods my side. “Steph tells me you stood up last week.”
A self-deprecating laugh leaves my throat. “Barely.”
“It’s a big deal,” she insists. “So many people are too scared to even try. You should be proud of yourself.”
“Thanks. What about you? You a surfer extraordinaire?”
She shakes her head. “God, no. Steph and I have an agreement we can be friends provided she never makes me surf. I can’t balance for shit.”
