Page 40 of The Attraction

“I spoke to Felisha quickly before I walked in here, and she didn’t answer but just sent me a message saying it’s a busy day and she will probably be late for dinner,” he replies, and that’s good enough for me.

“Okay, I’m in for that drink.” I could use some time with the guys to try to get my head sorted. When I’m at work I block it out, and when I’m around Harper, I feel like I can’t think straight, so an hour with the guys sounds perfect.

While we were talking, Rem has been messaging on his phone, I assume to Elouise, and the smile tells me he is all sorted.

“I’m in too, all under control on the home front.” Which I’m sure isn’t always the case with two kids.

“Excellent, let’s just head down to the pub across the road.” Nic nods as we are busy collecting our things, and everyone heads back to their offices to leave them there while we go for a drink.

I lock my office, and as I walk toward the elevator where the guys are all standing, my phone vibrates in my pocket, and I check it as I stop just a couple of feet from them.

Harper: Don’t wait for me, I’ll be late again tonight. Sorry.

Forrest: Thanks for letting me know. Just heading out for a drink with the guys. I’ll keep your dinner warm.

Harper: Don’t cook for me, I’ll just grab something easy when I get in.

Forrest: You will not be having a protein shake! I threw your tub of powder away. I WILL COOK YOU REAL FOOD!

Harper: You are fucking infuriating, you know that?

Forrest: This is not new information.

Harper: My clothes will stop fitting shortly if I keep eating like this.

Forrest: I’ll buy you new ones. Naked in the apartment works too.

Harper: Don’t! We aren’t doing this.

I smile to myself as I type out my reply.

Forrest: So you said.

As I press send, Flynn starts talking. “Holy shit, Forrest is smiling. Who the fuck are you texting?”

Pocketing my phone, I look up at him and the others to see them all staring at me intently. “What?” I growl.

“Nope, crisis averted, the grumpy guy is back.” Rem starts laughing, but Flynn is not about to let this go.

“You didn’t answer the question, who put that unusual look on your face? Could it possibly be your house guest?” He is smirking as the doors to the elevator open and we all start filing in.

“I’ve got a feeling we might need a beer for this conversation, so hold that thought, Forrest.” Nic starts laughing, and that’s one thing with him. When he has spoken, we all listen.

“Just a beer? This could call for something stronger to get any information out of the vault over here.” Rem knows what it’s like to try to keep something private. When he and Elouise got together, they kept it a secret from us all because Flynn had been casually flirting with her for a while. We all knew she wasn’t right for him, including Elouise, who had straight out told Flynn that. But he wouldn’t listen, and when it finally blew up, deep down, he knew she wasn’t right for him either. And now it’s turned out the way it should have, him being with Felisha who is perfect for him.

I roll my eyes at them, trying to work out how much I want to share with them, or to share anything at all.

Finally, I’m taking the first sip of my beer down at The Guards Arms pub which we frequent quite often when we are just having a quick drink after work—especially if we don’t want to run into any of our business associates. Not many frequent this pub because it doesn’t give them the contacts they are after. Whereas when we go out, we don’t want to talk work. Which is why this next hour could be the longest in my life, because I have a feeling the focus is going to be on Harper’s situation, and of course, that leads to me.

“Okay, I’ve waited long enough. What’s going on with you and Harper?” Flynn flicks a cardboard coaster at me, like we used to do when we were younger.

“She’s living in my apartment,” I say, keeping my tone neutral.

“No shit. But what has happened between you two since she moved in with you?” Flynn keeps pushing.

“We are getting along, she has learnt that protein shakes are not a meal and that I’m as stubborn as she is.” I answer very matter-of-factly but not really giving them anything they don’t already know.

“Keeping his cards close, can’t say I blame him.” Nic laughs. “There is no way I’d be sharing anything with your brother. He is the gossip of the group.”

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