Page 13 of The Attraction

As we stand here snorting at each other like two bulls about to butt heads, Flynn starts talking behind me.

“I, for once, agree with my brother. How about the rest of you?” I can hear all the men agreeing, and then I feel Felisha’s arm on mine as she starts to pull me away.

“Give us a minute,” she says as she drags me toward her bathroom while my eyes are still locked on Forrest’s.

Closing the door, she turns me to look at her. “I want you to take a few deep breaths and then we will talk this through.” Her voice is not gentle, it’s just calm and comforting. She has seen me at my best and seen me at my worst. And this is somewhere in the middle.

Trying to take the breaths is hard because my heart is racing with rage, my head is running trying to process everything that has just happened in the last twenty minutes, and my gut is telling me that although it’s a totally ridiculous idea, I should do as Forrest said.

“What’s the most important thing right now?” Felisha’s hands are on my shoulders so I can’t look away.

“To find this fucker and sort him out,” I blurt out at her.

“No, Harper, it’s to keep you safe,” she appeals to me to put myself first.

“I can do that in my own home,” I whine.

“But you aren’t in your own home, and your apartment isn’t set up with security like we are going to need,” Felisha refutes.

“So, I’ll move in with you.” I’m almost pouting like a child.

“Third wheel, remember? You will hate it, and I don’t want anything to threaten our friendship.”

“So, you would rather see me tortured, living with Forrest, who I can’t stand but for some reason also want to jump his bones. And don’t look at me like you don’t know that,” I declare to her, that no matter what she has said to me it’s made no difference, and I still have a thing for him.

“But you won’t, because you aren’t the kind of woman he is looking for, and although you are emotionally detached with sex, he isn’t. And you aren’t cruel enough to hurt him.” She sighs and drops her hands off my shoulder and takes hold of my hands that are still balled in fists from frustration. “But he will protect you more than any other man in that room, and you know why?”

I look at her with confusion. “Why?” I question.

“Because as much as he is fighting it, he cares for you, but he won’t ever let that guard down until he finds someone who wants the same thing as he does, and that’s not you. So, take him up on his offer—well, demand, really.” We both giggle because she is right. “At least until we can speak to this Ashton guy and get a clearer picture of what is going on.”

“Ughh, you’re going to make me do it, aren’t you.” Walking away from her, I put my hands on the sink and look at her in the mirror.

“It will make me sleep better at night knowing you are safe.” Felisha smiles at me, knowing she has already done what she set out to do.

“Well, good for you, while I’m lying in his guest bedroom living through hell. And he better not complain about the sound of my vibrator, because if he doesn’t want to take care of me, I’ll be taking care of myself.”

She falls forward in full laughter and puts her hands on her knees. “What the hell am I going to do with you? How can you be such a sophisticated lady in a boardroom and then here we are talking about vibrators as we hide in the toilet of my office. Lord help me!” Walking up next to me, Felisha puts her hands on the sink as well and looks at me in the mirror with all seriousness. “Please do this for me.”

And I can never deny the friend who has had my back since I was seven years old, and I have to trust that she still does.

Groaning, I step back, straighten my outfit, and look at her.

“You’re lucky I love you, but you owe me big time for this punishment!” I sternly tell her and then turn, walking back out the door with all the confidence.

“Fine,” I say to Forrest. “But this is my choice, it’s not because you are acting like a caveman. Like I said, I don’t take orders from any man. I live life on my terms, and you better remember that, roomie.” I storm past Forrest and straight out the office door and head back to my office down the corridor.

And all I can hear from behind me is the deep belly laugh from Flynn. “Good luck, brother dearest, you are going to need it.”

ChapterFour

FORREST

What is wrong with me?

Why do I keep thinking I need to jump in to save a woman who doesn’t think she needs saving?

This is going to be a nightmare.

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