Page 25 of Playing Pretend

It’s a lie. Rome would know it, too. But my brain is dying from lack of stimulation.

Still, no reply comes.

“What’s the Greek god up to?” Cassidy whispers.

“None of your business.” I place my cell back on the table, not touching it again until the screen illuminates a few minutes later with a silenced message. I move it straight back beneath the table to read his text.

Rome

What did he say? Where are you?

Piper

Conference room. Don’t tell me you just woke up.

I deliberately ignore the Julian question.

Rome

I’m out on a run. A few miles from the resort. I’ll be back soon to take care of him.

Piper

There’s nothing to take care of. You missed your opportunity. Enjoy the exercise.

I wait for more dots to appear. And wait… And wait…

My pulse increases with every second of radio silence.

He wouldn’t come back here and cause a scene. Would he?

Shit.Of course he would.

I frantically type—

Piper

Nothing needs to be handled, Rome. Do not come back.

—and quickly hit send.

Again, nothing. No bubble with dots. No words. No communication.

“Fuck,” I whisper.

A swoosh of sound takes over the room, the energy of attention pressing down on my shoulders. I cautiously glance up to find a swarm of eyes turned my way.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I raise my cell with a wince. “Sorry, client emergency.”

“That’s okay.” Pete waves away my rudeness. “You can step out to take care of it if you like. We’re all finished here.”

“We are?” one of the guys asks from the other side of the room.

“Yes, Michael.” Pete turns off the presentation with a click of his remote. “There are no more boring bits.”

Half the room rush to their feet, me included.

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