Page 24 of Playing Pretend

“At least you made it to bed,” Max mumbles. “I woke up on a lounger at the beach with sand in my mouth…among other places.”

I hide a smile, thankful Rome isn’t the hot topic I thought he’d be.

“But I doubt you slept any better.” Phillip meets my gaze over the lip of his mug. “Are you walking bow-legged?”

Serves myself right for being optimistic. “My legs are just fine, thank you.” I cross my arms over my chest as Cassidy walks into the room to take the chair beside me.

“Where were we?” she murmurs. “Ah, that’s right, we were talking about tearing Rome apart in the bedroom.”

“We were?” Max sits straighter.

“No, we weren’t,” I say in warning. “I’m not tearing anything.”

“Is devour a better word?” Cassidy winks at me. “Or maybe savor?”

Vanessa slurps her coffee. “How about ravage?”

“I’m not doing any of those things.” I return my gaze to the door, distracting myself by fake smiling at the colleagues who enter the room. “Rome is too much of a good friend to go into this relationship carelessly.”

“Shouldn’t you feel more comfortable because he’s your best friend?” Phillip asks. “You two already know the ins and outs of each other mentally. All that’s left are all those good, juicy inside bits.”

I shoot him a look of horror.

“Juicy inside bits?” Cassidy cringes. “I’m sure you could’ve referenced that better.”

He raises a brow. “Want me to try?”

“God, no.” I heave a sigh of relief when Pete passes through the doors, casually making his way to the lectern at the front of the room.

“Is everyone ready to start?” He readjusts the microphone sticking out from the sloped desk. “I promise we won’t take up all of your day.”

“Thank fuck,” Max mumbles.

Everyone else remains quiet as they claim their seats.

“I’ll take the lack of response as a sign you’re all pumped and ready to go.” Pete loads a presentation onto the wall behind him via a remote control. “Let’s start with a commission comparison from last quarter.”

The meeting doesn’t get more entertaining.

It drags for longer than ninety minutes of Pete boasting the efforts of our team before the manager of the Newport Beach office takes over to brag about the achievements of his staff.

I try to remain focused on the meaningless numbers, but every so often I succumb to the prickle raising the hair on the side of my neck and glance toward Julian across the room, always finding him looking back at me.

It’s not a kind look, either, which doesn’t bode well for the remainder of my stay.

While the managers continue their numerical pissing match, I slide my cell off the table, hiding it in my lap as I type another message to Rome.

Piper

Are you still asleep? You missed the perfect opportunity to play the protective boyfriend. Julian pulled a stunt in front of everyone.

I hit send, hoping for a quick reply to help escape the boredom.

Nothing comes.

Piper

It’s a shame you weren’t here. I would’ve been on board with any of your underhanded tactics just to get him out of my hair.

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