Page 51 of Counterfeit Connection

“I told him I knew you were seeing someone, but he should know you aren’t exactly an open book about those things. I wanted to speak to you first before I said something that didn’t line up with your story.”

“Story? There isn’t a story. Kaitlyn and I have made several redlines and addendums to our handshake agreement.”

“All right, fuck off with those bullshit business terms. Give me the full rundown. I have eyes, you know.”

Tobias is my friend, my best friend. We generally don’t delve into locker room discussion, but if I don’t let one person in on this past weekend, I think I might explode. “Kaitlyn and I have decided that certain benefits to our partnership can be explored. And, we did.”

Tobias’s jaw goes slack and falls slightly open. He allows his body to fall back into his chair. “You had sex with her, didn’t you? Didn’t you?”

“Don’t say it as if you didn’t sleep with her best friend the same night you met her.”

“Hell yes, I did, and I’d do it again. Look at her. She’s gorgeous and fun as hell, which is exactly what you could say about Kaitlyn if you’d stop beating around the bush.”

I sigh. “Yes, I slept with her.”

“I knew it wouldn’t take long.” He grins. “Not because I thought any type of way about her, but because of the way you two eye-fucked each other constantly.”

“Eye-fucked? I don’t think we did that at all. We were friends, and now we are friends, partners, and there are even more mutual benefits.” I don’t look up at him. I just start replying to emails.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, is it smart to start something you’ve already decided to finish in a few weeks?”

“Aren’t you the one who keeps telling me to live in the present and not look too far ahead? Now when I take your advice, you’re taking issue with it?” I turn my attention back to my calendar and emails. I don’t know what I was hoping for by telling Tobiasabout recent events, but discouragement wasn’t what I expected. “Did you find someone to review the contract for our latest deal?” I ask.

“Holy shit.”

Those two words echo off all four walls, the ceiling, and the floor. He rarely, if ever, raises his voice. It’s not who he is. With a lingering exhale, I look up. His eyes are boring holes in my head. “What?”

“You’re fucking in love with her.”

“What? Have you lost your mind? I hardly know her. I’m not.” I shake my head.

He marches over and closes my laptop with a snap. “Look in the damn mirror, man. You haven’t been able to hide anything from me in the over two decades we’ve known each other, and you think you can start now?”

“Tobias.” I cross my arms over my chest. “This is nothing more than a business relationship in which we will very much enjoy mutual benefits.”

“Fine,” he tests me. “Then how about I take her for a spin then? Since it’s just casual on that end, surely you won’t mind.”

I’m on my feet before he can even finish the sentence. Heat is radiating from my pores as I’m marching toward him. “Don’t you ever talk about her like that again.”

“EXACTLY!” he says with his arms spread like Tony Stark before the Jericho missiles explode. “I rest my case.”

I realize my fingers could rip the lapels off his Armani suit with very little effort. My knuckles are white as pure snow. My pulse is ringing in my ears. As I release his jacket, I take two steps back. I’m not only terrified of my anger about what Tobias said, but more than that, I’m terrified he’s right.

“You’re right,” I mumble.

“Say that one more time, and clearly.”

“Fuck. I think I’m in love with Kaitlyn.”

Tobias smiles. “You may think. I know. The questions are how does she feel and what are you going to do about it?”

Kaitlyn

Monday mornings are hard. This one seemed more so.

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