Page 100 of Not Safe For Work

“I wanted to say that it felt like a cop out. Like I was afraid to tell the truth. And there’s not much I’m afraid of, definitely not being honest with you, not anymore. The truth is I do love you. I really, really love you. Not kind of. Not just a little bit. I love you a whole damn lot. And whether or not you feel the same way, I just wanted you to know that.”

“I—”

“And one more thing, since I’m done keeping anything to myself. Because what the hell is the point of that? So I think you should know that…that this isn’t new for me at all.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

GAVIN

27 months ago

“Is that her?”

Gabby asks the question as soon as we enter The View. It’s the first time we’ve held our holiday party here, in the lounge on the top floor of the Marriot Marquis hotel. Until now, our company wasn’t big enough to rent our own space.

And while this does offer some of the most incredible views of the city, my eyes are exactly where Gabby’s have landed, on Olivia Diamond.

“Yep.” I gulp. I’ve told my sister all about Olivia. Well, everything I know, which isn’t a whole hell of a lot. But everything I do know, I like. I’ve wanted to ask her out for weeks, but I’ve been too worried about making her feel uncomfortable at work. Though with Gabby’s urging, and Mitch’s incessant “just man-up and get it out of your system” complaints, I’ve decided to finally go for it.

Yes, this is a work event, and maybe not the most appropriate time to do it. But it’s the closest thing I have to seeing her outside the office. And she looks fucking incredible. Her wavyhair drapes around her shoulders, shining like firelight. She’s got so much of it that she’s constantly tucking it behind her ears and every time she does it my fingers itch, wanting in on the action. And the dress she’s wearing. She’s glittering as much as the city lights outside the window.

Gabby starts tugging on my hand, but I’m too lost in thought to realize where she’s dragging me until the sparkling dress is directly in my line of sight.

“Hey, Gavin,” Liv greets me. “Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in anything but a hoodie.”

I chuckle, but I’m not sure how to respond.

“You have no idea how hard it was for him to agree to wear the jacket,” Gabby replies. “He’s all about comfort.”

“I’m Liv,” she says, stretching a hand to Gabby. “Are you Gavin’s girlfriend?”

We both sputter.

“Absolutely not,” I practically shout. Gabby glares at me.

“Siblings,” Gabby clarifies. She laces an arm through mine and tugs me toward her. “He’s very single.” Christ. “Actually, Gav was telling me?—”

“Gavin,” Mitch interrupts with a hand to my shoulder. “Are you busy?” He looks toward Gabby, then Liv and seems to decide on the answer himself. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”

I’m nervous about leaving Gabby and Liv alone together, but luckily Andie comes over to chat right as I leave. She hired Gabby last week to be a part-time intern.

“Ask her out yet?” Mitch snickers as we walk toward the bar.

“Not yet.”

“Pussy.”

“Fuck off. Who do you want me to meet?”

“You should be nicer to me, you know. How many times have you told me you want to work for a Venture Capitalist firm next?”

Shit. I’ve told him that a hundred times. I’ve never been afraid to use connections and Mitch has more contacts in Silicon Valley than anyone else at Sizzl. Probably because he’s one of the only people over forty, but still. He’s worked at four different start-ups, two of which have hit unicorn status.

“Is someone here?” I ask

“All our investors are. Haven’t you ever met them before?”

“Only Caleb from Spangled. But not since we got our big round from AngelBak in February. I missed the last off-site they came to.” I was pissed about it, but I had a migraine that kept me in bed for two days. AngelBak is where I plan to be in two years. Hell, maybe less if Mitch can help me.

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