Page 84 of Nothing to No One

“And we’re here rather than in your bed because…”

Roman would cause drama. Related to them or not, Roman would storm through with his usual destructive force and waylay everyone from their own lives. Struan’s lack of an answer was expected. There was nothing he could say to better the situation. And although it was heartbreaking, she didn’t want to fight.

She changed the subject. “Sway seems nice.”

“She is.”

“Have you known her a long time?”

“Only through her relationship with Roman.”

Which was the equivalent of going to war together, or it would’ve been pre-rehab. “She’s going to New York with Roxie. She broke off her engagement to Deacon.”

This was just as bad. Her talking as though she had any right to his life. As a couple, these things mattered, and without that relationship…

“I got something for you.”

Easing her aside, he vaulted from the bed to snag his jacket from the chair by the window. Man, he was something to look at. It was almost worth losing him at four thirty in the morning when this, when he, was the result. How could someone with such a good heart, sense of humor, and integrity also be so ripped? It wasn’t fair to the rest of the population.

He fished something from the pocket and tossed it to the bed as he turned. Fumbling through the sheet for the packet, she’d just raised it up when he dropped beside her.

“Gummy bears,” she said, laughing and holding them to her chest. “I love them.”

“The liquor wouldn’t fit in my pocket.”

“There’s a bottle of Tripp’s favorite Johnnie Walker behind the bar.”

“Superb,” he said and kissed her shoulder before getting up again. “Get to work dividing them up. I’ll be quick.”

He glanced back and they shared a smile. As he disappeared, she exhaled. Recreating the night they met with a happy ending. How was she supposed to stop herself falling for him? Oh, who was she kidding, she was already sunk.

TWENTY-NINE

ON MONDAY, Mieux had work to do at Brooker, so they spent the day at the agency, possibly to give them a breather from the UO set. Her a breather. It hadn’t been put like that, but after what happened on Friday, distance wouldn’t be a bad thing. Mieux was a helluva considerate. Roman flipping out may be on him, that wouldn’t stop the crew avoiding or judging her though. At Brooker, she didn’t have to face animosity.

Mieux closed her laptop. “Okay, we have to go.”

She lifted her heavy head from the heel of her hand. “Go where?”

The club again? All day she’d been dragging. Partying at Crimson on Saturday night was a great idea at the time. Not necessarily so great that she wanted to be out all night on a weekday and carry a hangover to work.

“Chic is waiting at the house.”

“Waiting at the house? What house?” Dumb question. “For what?” she asked, forced to stand when Mieux pulled out her chair. “I’m wearing the designated outfits.”

Okay, so, that was a lie. Saturday night was someone else’s clothes. That day, she wore Roxie’s. Given she’d woken up in the woman’s house, already late, they hadn’t had time for modesty. She’d only just got dressed before Mieux arrived at the front door with the car.

“Where are we going, Mieux?” The assistant piled up their things, slipping some into a satchel while holding her usual binder, tablet, and cellphone in one hand. “Is it Crimson again? Is Roxie outside?”

“Roxie wouldn’t wait outside.” Thinking of the woman put a smile on everyone’s face. Everyone but Roman’s anyway. “Haven’t you figured out Roxanna Kyst doesn’t wait for permission by now?”

“She doesn’t have clearance for Brooker’s.”

“She’s Roxie Kyst, Bambi. In this town, a name means everything. Roxie’s famous and hot right now.”

“With her stream?”

“And the documentary. There’s also talk of bigger and better things coming along.”

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