Page 107 of Can't Get Enough

“Thanks. That African braider off Clairmont,” I say, pulling my fresh knotless braids over one shoulder. “And are you seriously asking me if this is fast after you smashed Bolt within five minutes of meeting him?”

She lifts her chin, defiance in her stare. “That was a mistake and won’t be happening again, but we’re not talking about me. We’re talking about you. Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

“Believe me, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking this through, weighing the possible consequences.” I sit back in my seat and give her my fullattention. “I want this and I’m going to let myself have it. To have him. I’m not saying it’s forever, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s what I want right now.”

“Have you told Zere? Chapel?”

“No, I’ll call them as soon as I find that charger.”

Skipper walks around to my side of the desk, opens the bottom drawer, shoves aside a few papers, and pulls out the charger.

“Ta-dah.” She tosses it onto my desk. “Guess you can call now.”

There was some part of me that was stalling, delaying the conversation I know I need to have with Zere. How that call goes determines what I’ll need to tell Chapel. There was a time not too long ago when I would never have put business at risk for a romantic relationship. I still can’t say I’m one hundred percent sure I won’t have any regrets, but never knowing what Maverick and I could have been won’t be one of them.

“Here you go,” Skipper says, handing me my phone from the edge of my desk. “I believe you needed this.”

“You don’t have as much job security as you think,” I mumble, only half joking. “Close the door behind you, sassy tail.”

Skipper pauses to do a little shimmy, but then closes the door.

I sigh, plug in the charger, and send the text I’ve been dreading.

Me:Hey, Zere! You got a sec?

For a few moments there’s no activity, but then reply bubbles appear.

Zere:Hey! Yeah. Call?

Me:Calling now.

“How are you?” she asks, answering after one ring.

“I’m good.” I make a conscious effort to relax my shoulders as if I’m telegraphing tension over the phone. “How’s forty treating you?”

“So far, so good. I’m in Paris so that’s always great.”

“Nice! Birthday trip?”

“Charles surprised me! Isn’t that marvelous?”

“That’s… that’s great, Zere.” I shift in my seat, searching for a comfortable position when every part of this conversation will be uncomfortable. “You two looked happy at the party.”

“It’s been a rough few months, and he’s been there for me. Ya know?”

“Right. Well, he seems really nice.”

“Girl, Paris nice!” Zere chortles. “And if I so much as sneeze in the direction of anything, he buys it for me.”

“That’s great, Zere. You sound really happy.”

“I am. Anyway, you wanted to chat? About the show?”

“Not exactly.” I clear my throat, bolster my nerve and press on. “It’s personal, not the show.”

“Oh. Okay. What’s up?”

I should just say this and not draw it out. There’s no better setup than her being in Paris with another man.

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