Page 56 of Trusting the Fall

I contemplate the weight of that admission, the handing over of that power. Accepting the truth, not only to myself but offering it to another person. To hold and use as they decide.

As his eyes bore into mine, a million different reasons shout at me to lie. Don’t concede.

The whispered confession slips out before I can even understand what I’m saying.

“No one.”

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: Re: Re: Project Update

How about Lover?

Tell me Bombshell, what did you think of the floors?

L x

PS. What’s the most daring thing you’ve done to get someone’s attention?

24

“Ithinkweneedto have a chat with the boys,” Westley says as he drops into the chair on the other side of my desk.

I minimise the email I was working on and give him my attention. He just started back after two weeks off with his family.

“Why?”

He looks back to the hallway outside my door, then leans in to whisper, “I found a condom wrapper on the floor at Claire’s salon.”

I do my best to control my reaction. Pulling my lips together, I fold my arms over themselves on the desk and adjust in my seat.

“I’m sure no one was having sex in the actual salon. Maybe it just fell out of one of their pockets.” Lamest fucking excuse ever.

“Who shoves a wrapper back in their pocket?”

A smarter person than me, that’s for sure.

“I just hope it wasn’t one of our guys hooking up with Claire,” West says.

I can’t help the way my face hardens with unexpected jealousy. “I don’t think Claire would be interested in any of those boys,” I say, feeling the ice in my words as they pass my lips.

It’s stupid to feel jealous. I know damn well it was me with Claire in the salon, and she’s definitely not fucking anyone else. Fuck, I’m pretty sure she’s not. It’s not like we spoke about being exclusive. Things are so up in the air since we found out each other’s true identities. We’re not even dating. I don’t know what we’re doing.

Westley’s brows furrow at my words.

“I mean, a woman like that would want a man,” I say. “Someone who knows what he’s doing. She’d never settle for a boy who was out for his own pleasure before hers.” I do my best to answer in a way that speaks to my indifference on the subject instead of confirming first-hand that I know what she needs.

Westley chuckles. “Yes, you’re right. She certainly isn’t afraid to ask for what she wants. Speaking of, thanks for handling the salon so I could take the time off.”

“No problem. How were Cas and Callie?” I ask.

“She’s two months along. Looks like she’ll be doing it on her own. Boyfriend got picked up for possession. He’s in jail now. It was the third time he was caught. But when Callie went to see him, he told her he wanted nothing to do with her or the baby. I helped her move all her stuff into Caspian’s place while I was there. She seems okay, though.”

“Shit. Sorry, man. That’s rough. Let me know whenever you need to take more time. We can handle whatever you’ve got going on here.”

“Morning.” Jeremy pops his head into my office. “I’m heading over to Parlour Tricks. The cabinetry is getting dropped off today. Think we’ll be ready for handover by the end of next week.” He smiles, but my stomach sours.