Page 27 of Scandalous Lover

I couldn’t have surprised her more if I dropped my shorts and did a little dance.

My heart beats a little faster at the thought.

I take a step closer to the door.

“I don’t always have it. I’m pretty easy to find if someone needs me.”

She’s looking at me like I’m a crazy person.

“You might find yourself leaving yours behind sometimes now that you’re here.”

The raised eyebrow she’s giving me lets me know that’s not likely.

She types in my number as I rattle it off. “I’ll just message you, and then you’ll have mine.”

“Okay.” An awkward silence ensues, and I take another step toward the door. “Well, I’ll see you around.”

“I’ll text you.”

I clench my jaw, unsure how to respond. I can’t have this woman texting me when my phone is laying somewhere anyone could see it.

I have to get that phone in my pocket…now.

With a nod and a smile, I close the door behind me and jog the one flight of stairs to my office. It takes me a few moments to find my phone under a stack of papers on my desk, and I feel relieved when I do.

The notification is waiting for me—a WhatsApp message from an unknown number. I collapse into my chair, already opening the screen to edit the contact. I type in Naomi but then pause. My finger hovers over the screen for far too long.

I backspace and type Natalie.

Tossing the thing back on my desk, I lean back in my chair and groan.

How has it come to this? Fake contact names and lies and pretending. I honestly feel like one of the guys right now.

And as much as I’ve tried to be like them over the years, it doesn’t feel as great as I always imagined.

My island life with its dream job and home I can call my own suddenly feels like a house of cards.

And Naomi is the wind.

Chapter Nine

Naomi

Atiny blue and black bird perches on the railing of my deck and lifts its little head to the sky, letting out a high, sweet sound.

I lunge for my phone to capture the video for my followers.

But then I freeze.

Is it even worth taking the video?

For so long I’ve had one focus—capturing my life and turning it into marketable content. Now I’m a bit unsure of what to do with myself. I guess I could just be storing up content to share when all of this blows over and I’m back online.

Yeah. That’s what I’ll do. Perfect plan.

Way easier than trying to find a new purpose in life.

I snag my phone and head to the sliding door that leads to my deck, but the bird is gone.

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