“Just enjoying the view.” No point in denying it. He already knows I’m ridiculously attracted to him.
“I suppose you’re allowed to do that, all things considered.”
Another rush of warmth hits me, this one settling low in my belly. “I’m going to be honest… I’m a little nervous to see you next weekend.”
He dips his chin. “Yeah, it’s gonna be weird knowing what we know. But we’ll get through it.”
“Yes, but I was actually referring to…” I pause, remembering our one-night agreement in Vegas. Suggesting a do-over since I can’t remember if we slept together seems silly, considering we’d gone even further and got married, but that’s where my head is.
“Say it,” he says quietly. “I can see your wheels turning.”
“What if I wanted another night?” My heart races at the confession… at the prospect. “It’s going to be hard to see you again and not want you.”
“Shit between us is complicated enough, don’t you think?”
Yes, but the stormy look in his eyes says he still wants me, too. It’s no longer curiosity, because we explored enough of each other to know how good it could be.
“I know. But what could it hurt? We’ve already done the worst thing possible.”
“Which we’re getting ourselves out of,” he adds, and there’s a slight edge to his tone that has that giddy feeling in my stomach turning to lead.
Obviously, we didn’t get married because we’re madly in love. While I can’t say for sure what I was thinking, my guess is that we thought it’d be funny. Maybe even a way to stick it to my brothers. And regardless of our drunken reasoning, I like him. I want to continue talking to him like this, and I want the chance to kiss him when I see him again if I feel so inclined.
Staying married would be crazy. I don’t deny that. But it stings that he’s so adamant about ending things between us when I want to explore the possibilities.
“You’re right.” I sigh. “It’s probably best if we just put this behind us.” Because I refuse to pine for a guy I’m genuinely interested in if all I’m ever going to be to him is a nice pair of tits.
chapter 8
TESSA
After our meeting was postponed not once but twice this week, my manager’s receptionist finally smiles up at me from her desk and tips her head toward his office.
“Jeff’s ready for you now, Tessa. Go on in.”
Thank god. I was starting to worry that he knew why I wanted to meet and was avoiding me so he could put off talking with Spencer.
“Thanks, Margo.” I offer a polite smile as I approach the office door and knock lightly.
“Come in. Door’s open.”
“Hi.” I wave awkwardly as nerves riot in my stomach. “Thanks for seeing me.”
Jeff glances up from his laptop and gestures to a chair opposite his desk. “Sure thing. Have a seat while I finish up this email.”
I sit while he goes back to work, and my focus slides to the tall, floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the city of Boulder. The sky is a deep cerulean with wispy white clouds, and the mountains in the distance remind me of an older woman’s shoulders, blanketed with a shawl of greenery. In just a few weeks, that shawl will shift to shades of red, brown, orange, and yellow, just like the crocheted afghan that hung over the back of Grandma McMurray’s couch.
“Sorry about that.” Jeff clears his throat and sets his laptop aside. “I can’t seem to catch up this week.”
“It’s okay. We’ve been busy.” Which is a good thing. The more clients we design successful campaigns for, the more job security we’ll have.
He smiles and folds his hands on the desk. “I have a feeling I know why you’re here.”
“You do?” My chest tightens, and I twist my fingers together in my lap. Had he been waiting for me to come forward about Spencer’s behavior? Or maybe someone else had complained, too.
“It’s no secret that Will plans to move to California in the coming months, leaving me without an assistant.”
Oh.Oh. Yes, I knew Will had plans to leave BoCo, but I hadn’t considered myself as a potential replacement. I’ve only been here since I graduated last spring, and there are several staff members with more experience than me.
