Page 57 of Heartless

“Confirmation about what? I already told you. Do whatever you see fit.”

“I will have to cancel some reservations.”

“So? Cancel them. Katie will help you.”

“What about the staff?”

“Paid leave.”

“Okay,” I felt my hands sweaty all of a sudden. “We should talk about the budget then.”

“I don’t care about the budget. Just do it as quickly as possible. Whatever the cost.”

Before I could think better of it, I reached out and covered his fisted hand with mine. “Would you like to go somewhere else while the crew is working?”

He slipped his hand under mine and I saw a glimpse of the fire that usually blazed in his eyes whenever I was annoying him.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“You don’t have to stay if it hurts you so much.”

“I don’t know where this is coming from, but let me remind you that all we have in common is business. A deal about five weddings. A deal about a fake relationship during the time you plan those five weddings. Nothing more.”

Nothing more? That wasn’t true. Not with the way he kissed me. But he wasn’t in the right state of mind and I wasn’t sure I even wanted to start that conversation, so I shot up from the chair and pointed at the dog.

“I will take him for a few nights. You can catch up on sleep.”

He snorted out a laugh, looking up at me.

“What?” I asked, offended. He helped me with my mother, defended me in front of my family. I could take care of the freaking dog for him.

“And why would you do that, Madison? You’re not exactly the type to inconvenience yourself.”

Is that what he really thought about me? That I was a spoiled brat that couldn’t handle anything beyond my comfort zone.

“You helped on numerous occasions. I get that you’re tired and I get that you have some emotional issues right now, but don’t insult me. I’m taking the dog.” I was going to show him that I was reliable even if that meant cleaning dog poop.

We stared at each other silently for a beat, then his eyes dropped down to my mouth and stayed there. A tingling sensation spread down my entire body. Was he thinking about that second kiss?

Don’t think about that kiss.

He nodded. “I see. Is that why you are so concerned about me? You feel guilty?”

I turned my back to him and walked to the door. I couldn’t stand the emptiness in his eyes.

He let out an unamused chuckle. “Look at us. We’re like a bitter divorced couple, trying to make the co-parenting thing work.”

“You’re insufferable. I’m leaving.” Then when I was almost out the door, I remembered about the dog. I turned and walked towards it. I crouched down to take him. A moment later Parker joined me. He patted the dog’s head to wake him. I didn’t know why but I felt my pulse in every vein and artery I had in my body.

I grabbed the entire bed, the dog still in it.

“He will probably pee in the next thirty seconds,” Parker warned.

“Then I should get out of here fast.”

He walked me to the door and opened in for me. Just as I was stepping over the threshold, his hand snaked around my elbow. “Thank you,” he whispered and his warm breath tickled my ear. “For helping with the dog.” I didn’t say a word and he released me from his grip. “I’ll come get him tomorrow evening. Is that okay?”

I graced him a nod and left his office.

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