At least now, I’m able to relax a little, knowing that part of the business will be taken care of—hopefully.
Hours later, Drew comes home in his gym clothes with his uniform thrown over his shoulder. He looks like he’s had a day from hell, and when he cracks open a beer before he does anything else, it’s confirmed.
“Wanna talk about it?” I ask him as he sits down on the couch and starts mindlessly flipping through the channels.
“I’m pretty sure I’m never going to get over Mia.”
I hate hearing her name on his lips, and I hate seeing him so distraught. It’s been months since the big blowout, and she still manages to string him along like a plaything. He’s addicted to her, and regardless of what we all tell him, he can’t let her go.
I think back to Courtney’s text message, and an evil grin spreads across my face.
“How would you like to do me a huge favor?”
He chugs his beer until it’s empty.
“What’s that?”
“Bring lunch for Courtney tomorrow, at the firm, around elevenish?”
He gives me a pointed look. “Your favors are dangerous, King.”
I throw my head back and laugh because it’s true. All of Viola’s and my rekindling started with a single favor—a lunch favor, actually.
“You’re being weird,” he says.
“If you wear your cop uniform, I might be able to get her to install the software on all of the computers I had delivered today for free.”
Now he’s the one laughing. “I’m not going to be your stripper!”
“Why not? I’m sure she’ll keep her hands to herself.” I smirk because we both know that’s a lie. He gives me a look.
“It will be good for you. I don’t know what she likes to eat, but I’m sure Viola knows. Please?”
“Maybe,” he says, and I feel pretty good about my open attempt to play matchmaker.
In the morning, I work out, then go straight to the office and try to read through diagrams for these damn computers. I can’t comprehend the nonsense. Right before eleven, Courtney pulls up in her Jeep, music blaring. She’s wearing this crazy dress with big polka dots, and her hair is pulled up into a tight, high ponytail. I watch her reach over and grab a bright pink tool kit with her name embroidered on the outside. It takes everything inside me not to burst out laughing. She sees me inside, gives me a big wave, and then swings open the door like she owns the place.
“Whoa! Apple products. Nice work, King.” Her eyes widen when she sees the large iMacs lined against the desks along the wall. She drops the heavy bag down on the front counter where my secretary will sit—as soon as I hire one. Shit, I have so much to do.
“Yeah. Only the best.” I smile proudly.
“Agreed. So, whatcha got?”
I hand her a box of cords and CDs with a smile. “Can you help me install all of this and get the router and network set up, so it’s protected?”
She puckers her lips and gives a playful eye roll. “Duh.”
Immediately, she starts wiring everything together, inserting discs and clicking through things so quickly, it’s as though she’s got all the steps memorized. Before finishing, she neatly zip-ties all the cords so they look nice.
“You’re good to go.” She slaps her hands together with a smile.
I sit down at one of the computers and see the wireless network in the top right-hand corner.
“Oh, I set up a shared drive for everyone, too. You know, just in case you wanted that.” She winks.
I didn’t even ask for that, but it will be helpful during start-up to stay on the same page with my employees. My eyes widen. Shit, she really is a genius. Before I can even tell her thank you, a squad car pulls up in front of the building. Courtney sees me staring behind her with a smile, and she turns and catches sight of Drew. Now her eyes are the ones that are wide. She tucks loose strands of hair behind her ears and sits on the desk with her long legs crossed.
Drew walks in with a bag from the local deli and a bottle of fancy looking water. I’m pretty sure I saw drool drip down her chin, but I don’t dare say a word.
“Ms. Bishop?”
Courtney’s mouth falls open. Drew is fucking working this. I’m so proud of him for stepping out of his comfort zone because I know how hard this is for him. He ignores every girl who bats a lash his way, especially Courtney. But she deserves a trophy for trying.
She stands and puts her hand over her heart.
“Those damn handcuffs,” she says under her breath and then realizes I heard her. She glares at my snicker, and I shrug.
“I was told your favorite lunch is a chicken wrap and pure coconut water,” Drew says.
“Wait, what?” She’s just as shocked as I am that he brought her lunch.
He hands her the bag, and she takes it with a huge smile on her face. This might be the most attention he’s given her—ever. His radio goes off, and he answers back quickly.
“Hope you enjoy it,” he tells her and then turns around and leaves.
Courtney leans against the wall and sighs. She’s so damn dramatic.
“Oh my God, Travis! Are you trying to kill me?”
I can no longer hold back my laughter. “No, I need your help!”
“I’ll do it. I accept your offer.”
“What?” I’m confused.
“Just tell me when we open, and I’ll be here. Especially if you can pay me in glimpses of Drew in that uniform.”
Union International offered me a great salary, a decent-sized office, and a position I only dreamed of having six months ago. As hard as it was to say no, I couldn’t accept, considering my current situation. They even counter offered, giving me a twenty percent pay increase, but it wasn’t enough to keep me grounded in Boston. I packed my stuff and shipped it to Courtney since I’ll be staying with her until I find a place of my own. The last few months have been…well…interesting.
Drew and Courtney both know I’m not returning to Boston once I leave, but I haven’t found the courage to tell Travis yet. He’ll find out soon enough and when I don’t leave after the holidays are over it’ll be a dead giveaway. I begged them not to say a word because I want to be the one to tell him. I have to be. We have a lot to talk about, but the truth is, I’m not sure what to say to him or where to even begin. Just thinking about it gives me an anxiety attack.
I shove my carry-on in the overhead compartment of the plane and slide the window cover open, peering out into the distance. Soon we take off over a blanket of white fog, and as nervous as I am to be returning to Cali, I’m happy to be leaving Boston and all the damn snow.
As the plane lands in California, I feel a little ridiculous wearing a baggy sweater and so many layers. I roll my sleeves up to my elbows and patiently wait while we deplane. I was cold, but now I’m sweating. Freaking hormones. A lump forms in my throat when I open my text messages and see Courtney is already waiting for me. This is happening. I’m really home.
After I pee, I wheel my suitcase through the airport, trying to find just a sliver of courage. I walk through the double doors, and Courtney is leaning against her Jeep with a big, goofy smile on her face. She takes off running in high heels and gives me a big hug.