“We appreciate it. Gabby needed one. I would’ve been fine.”
His lips thin into a hard line before he nods. “Glad I could help Gabby. You work at the house on Friday, right?”
“Yeah. I’ll be there.”
“Night then.” Dylan strolls out and yells from the door. “Gabby? Please deadbolt this behind me.”
“Sure,” she says, looking at me strangely. “Sissy? You okay?”
Everything from the night crashes in on me at once and I close my eyes, imagining myself with Dylan on that makeshift mattress in my room. My head on his chest right over his heartbeat. The feel of his hand stroking my back. The security of being someone he loves.
“Yeah. I’m fine,” I lie.
I close the door behind Gabby and grab a blanket and pillow. Things will be much better tomorrow because all things look better in the light of day. I wonder if this is how he treats all the girls he wants to sleep with. I’ve never really known a player, but Dylan must’ve majored in Seduction 101. Womanizer Magna Cum Laude.
Of all the things I can’t afford right now, heartache tops the list.
Chapter Eight
Boss
Dylan
Who knew cleaning day could hold such appeal? In the past, I got the hell out before Emerson arrived. It was easier to deny my attraction to her than to borrow trouble.
Issue number one. Emerson works for me, Jordy, and Collin. Those two would flip their shit if I messed around with her. Issue number two. She’s too bossy, tough, and argumentative. I like my women a little more agreeable. Issue three... Well, she’s complicated. And complicated means getting involved.
My soul still hasn’t recovered from the last time I fell for a woman.
Today, I take my time in the shower, put on a suit, and stroll downstairs at half past eight. Collin and his fiancé Veronica sit at the table drinking coffee and eating breakfast. They stay at her place a lot these days, so I’m surprised to see them.
Collin freezes with the coffee mug halfway to his mouth. “Bro? You’re still here?”
I shrug while walking to the coffee maker. “Decided to go in late today. Perks of being the boss.”
Collin makes an unflattering chuffing sound, a cross between a laugh and cough. “You aren’t fooling anyone.”
“Has anything more happened with Emerson?” Veronica grins at Collin and then me. “Spill.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I grab a mug from the cabinet and pour my coffee. “Is this the flavored stuff?”
“You are so transparent.” Collin leans back and crosses his arms over his chest, abandoning his breakfast. “No deflecting. I know why you’re hanging around.”
I shake my head and laugh at him as I walk past. “Whatever.”
“She’s going to be late.” Collin’s announcement stops me from leaving the room. I turn my head.
I take a drink of my coffee and peer over the cup at the two of them who look as comfortable as an old married couple. “You mean Emerson?”
“Man, you are too far gone. Why pretend? Jordy’s already told me everything.” Collin’s grin gets larger with each word. “I saw this coming.”
“Why don’t you want us to know?” Veronica nibbles a pastry, her eyebrows bunching together in a baffled line. “Sit down and eat breakfast.”
“Because there’s nothing to tell.” I give up trying to leave and take a seat at the table. I snag a muffin from a basket in the center. It feels like I’m back home when Veronica is around. She fusses over me and Jordy as if we need her attention. There’s a ton of breakfast food—some weird obsession Veronica has with never leaving a table hungry. “I’m asking her to go grab some dinner tonight. Why is she late?”
“She had to take her sister somewhere.” Collin snags a chocolate donut and devours it in two bites. “Where are you taking her?”
“Don’t know yet.” The truth is I’ve thought of half a dozen places and none felt like the right place. I take a sip of coffee and glance at my watch.
Veronica leans in and wipes a bit of chocolate from Collin’s mouth. “You should pick somewhere special.”
There’s a knock at the door that sends my pulse rate tapping double-time. When did Emerson start knocking? Veronica hops up to get the door, and I casually pull out my phone and check for messages.
I’m surprised when the next voice isn’t Emerson’s.
“Morning.” Malerie Sloan sits in a chair beside me. “What are you doing here?”
Malerie, one of Collin’s business partners, leans over and nudges me on the shoulder. “I hear you have the hots for Emerson, and she won’t have anything to do with you.”
An uneasy irritation circles my gut. Maybe I’m acting the fool.
I narrow my eyes at Collin while I answer her. “What have you been telling people? You’re worse than a gossiping girl.”
Malerie makes a huffing sound and pulls off her coat.
I exhale. Women are so sensitive. “No offense to the better sex,” I say to Malerie.
“Too late. I’m offended,” Malerie says, her smile all fake sweetness.
“Nothing,” Collin says and tilts his head. “Besides, I was wrong. She’s going out with you tonight, right?”
“Yeah.” I look at my watch again. I’d planned to catch Emerson before I had to leave for work. I replay my last conversation with her, trying to assure myself she had said ‘yes’ to a date.
“Did the police figure out who broke in to her place? Did Jordy’s friend run the tags?” Veronica pushes the basket of baked goods toward me. I hold my half-eaten muffin. I’d weigh three hundred pounds if I dated Veronica.
“I don’t know anything yet. Jordy went out of town today. I texted him about the tags and he said he’d talk to me later.”
The door opens behind me and I wait to hear Emerson’s voice.
Usually, she likes the place cleared out when she does her housecleaning thing. A houseful of people won’t sit well with her.
These people are in for it. Emerson can clear a place faster than a cop at a raid.
“Hey.” A low voice greets us from across the room. Ace, Malerie’s husband, walks in and sits at the opposite end of the table. They look way too young to be married. Hell, they are too young.
Ace gives me a curt nod while unwinding a scarf from his neck. “Finished a call in the car. What are you doing home?”
“I think I live here,” I say, a thin thread of irritation lacing my answer. Ace is a nice guy—nothing not to like about him—but the question of why I’m here is getting old. “Is this what you people do while I work? Hang out here?”
“I’m picking up Veronica for class, as if it’s any of your business.” Malerie rolls her eyes. She points at me. “You are extremely crabby in the morning.”
Ace gives Malerie a disapproving look and she smiles bigger. “What?” she asks. “He is.” She grabs a grape from the center tray and pops it into her mouth.
Ace turns his attention back to me. “There’re some heat and air people installing a new system at our place. They’re doing our apartment and the office.”