Page 46 of The Most Perfect Wrong

It’s a dangerous game.

Cooper:You wish. Have you managed to jerk off in the bathroom yet? I saw your eyes wandering. #subtleVP

“Oh, shit,” I mutter under my breath, laughing.

Ryan:Can you blame me? Even the guy in the window seat’s jealous of the view you gave me.

She sends an eye-rolling emoji.

Cooper:Is he an asshole too?

Annnnd the wicked witch is back.

Ryan:Did you forget to take your medication this morning, PM?

Cooper:PM?

Ryan:Yeah… project manager. That’s YOUR new nickname.

Ryan:Or maybe peasant… It’s still up for debate.

Cooper:Ha. Ha. Ha. You’re so funny.

Ryan:Thanks. I think so.

Cooper:Did you and window seat create a brotherly bond over your “view”? #ASSHOLES

Jesus Christ.She really is something. I hesitate before I type.

Ryan:What do you want me to say, PM… you’ve got a great rack.

Ryan:But seriously… What did Brad do to make you hate men this much?

I watch the text bubble disappear and reappear on her screen, waiting for her to type something back. She takes longer than usual, then the bubble vanishes again. I start to panic.Dammit. I went too far.The bubble finally reappears.

Cooper:Fuck. You.

Cooper:Why don’t you worry about your own fucked-up life, VP?

Shit.If she didn’t have a reason to report me to HR before—she sure does now. I hit a nerve, and it’s not pretty. But if I’m right—if Brad’s cheated—I understand her bitterness. I’ve been in those shoes. But I don’t understand why she’s taking it out on me.

I scowl at my phone. I feel like a dick. If she and Brad are struggling, and if it’s because of infidelity, the last thing she needs is me being a prick. I don’t want to give her any more ammo, or prove her right. Not all guys are assholes and cheaters.

Ryan:I didn’t mean that, Cooper. I’m sorry if I crossed a line.

She doesn’t respond for the rest of the flight, and I’m not going to lie—I’m a little terrified to land.Why did I do that?Wewere in a good spot, flirty banter instead of angry, and then I took a wrong turn.

We land at 2:30 PM, and I immediately call the hotel to see if we can get an early check-in. I’m waiting anxiously in the terminal for Cooper to exit the plane, not knowing what I’m going to be faced with.

She walks toward me, not missing a beat. “Let’s go, VP.”

Alright, better than expected.We grab our rental car and head to the Fairmont in downtown Austin. The car ride is quiet, aside from the occasional question about today’s properties. We’ve only got time to see two of them today. Travel days always feel like such a waste of time. Cooper texts the realtor and confirms our 4:30 PM appointment.

We check in and head to the elevator.

I glance at my phone for the time. “You want to meet back here in fifteen minutes after you change? Is that enough time for you?”

“Jesus, Ryan, I just have to change my clothes.”

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