Page 43 of Not Safe For Work

“Sounds like I need to give my family members a lesson on privacy.” I immediately regret my words because they’re sure to offend him, but he just starts laughing.

“I guess I lucked out, then. Have dinner with me.” It’s not a question. The confidence he showed last night is still there, like the multiple times I’ve turned him down don’t exist. It’s notnotattractive.

“Tonight? It’s a little late.” My clock just turned nine.

“Any night you want, Olivia.” The way he says my name makes me sound like a rich chocolate dessert, or maybe a fine wine, something to be savored.

“Sorry, I think I have plans,” I reply, grinning into my phone.

“Sounds like I’ll just have to wait until those other plans get boring. I’ll see you soon, Olivia.” He hangs up before I can say another word.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

GAVIN

Liv is goingto kill me.

I get up extra early Monday morning so I can wait for her at Fog & Foam. I know she doesn’t go every day, but Monday’s a sure thing. And I really need to chat with her away from our co-workers.

I probably should have just responded to her texts or called her last night, but after having such a good time together on Saturday, I wasn’t ready for her to hate me yet.

Now I’m out of time. I have to tell her what I did.

It’s9:00 a.m. and I’m waiting for Daanesh at Marina Green. Our pickup rugby game starts in an hour. This is why my Saturday plans were game night with Gabby and Kadesha, staying in and going to bed early. Playing hungover is not going to be pretty.

“Hey Daan. Thanks man,” I say as he walks up and hands me a cup of coffee.

“Morning.” His tone is much too cheery. He definitely wasn’t out drinking all night. “Sorry I missed game night. You look like shit.”

I grimace and hold my coffee up toward him. “To Mai Tai’s.”

“Mai Tai’s, huh? That’s different.”

“Actually, I went out with Liv. Tonga Room.”

“With Liv?” he asks, looking back at me with confusion. For a second, I have to remind myself that I did in fact tell him we were dating just two days ago. Not sure why he sounds so surprised I’d be out with her.

“Yeah. She had some charity event at the Fairmont. I met up with her after.”

“With people from work?”

“No? Just us, and some random guys from LA I guess.”

“Actually,” he says, his brows pulled together. I’m honestly struggling to decipher what kind of look he’s giving me. “Stacey emailed me the final list for Mexico yesterday. Olivia’s not on it. Did you forget to book her flights?”

Shit. Century Club is next week, the annual trip where our exec team and board take the top performers from each department on a tropical getaway. And we all get plus ones. No one turns down that trip willingly. It’s not only a free vacation, but a chance to party with the leadership.

How the fuck do I tell Daanesh she’s not coming? If people at work are supposed to believe we’re dating, why wouldn't she come with me?Wouldshe come with me? The thought of spending a weekend with Olivia in Mexico…

“Shit, look at your face. You forgot, didn’t you?” Daanesh shoves me against the chest. “You finally get a girlfriend, and you forget all about her? Is there something I’m missing here?” His tone is playful. He thinks I’m an idiot. In reality, I just don’t know what the hell to say. The line, “oh, she’s allergic to Mexico,” hovers on my lips. “Hey, you okay?”

“Yep. You’re right, I’m an idiot,” is all I can say.

“It’s cool, I got you. If you book something now and expense it, I’ll make sure it gets approved.”

“Right now? Like you want me to book her flights on my phone right now?”

I must sound like the idiot he thinks I am, because he’s looking at me like I belong in a straitjacket.

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