Page 46 of Endurance

“Likewise. Kallie has told me all about you.”

Sloan cocked up an eyebrow in surprise.

“Has she?”

“Yeah,” she replied with a slow nod of her head. “She apparently skipped a few details.”

I cleared my throat uncomfortably, knowing I owed Gabby a huge explanation. While I had talked to my friend several times over the past month, I’d never once mentioned my physical involvement with Sloan. All she knew up until three minutes ago was that he was my client.

“Gabs, I’ll fill you in later. Right now, Sloan and I were just finishing up breakfast. Are you hungry? I can make you something.”

“No, I’m good. I snacked on the plane. But thanks,” she said, never taking her eyes off of Sloan. She seemed to be sizing him up. Her watchful gaze was suspicious, but Sloan seemed unruffled. If Gabby thought she could intimidate him, she would be sadly disappointed—Sloan was the master at intimidation.

“How about coffee then?” Sloan offered. “There’s still some left in the pot.”

“Coffee would be great. My flight left at five this morning, east coast time. I could use the boost.”

Without another word, Sloan nodded and went back to the kitchen. After pouring Gabby a mug, he looked over his shoulder and said, “Cream? Sugar?”

“Just a little bit of cream, please,” Gabby told him.

He handed her the mug of steaming java.

Thanks,” Gabby said, and her scrutinizing stare seemed to soften. The fact that Sloan was shirtless, showing off his impeccable abs, was definitely helping the situation. Gabby was never one to shy away from a fine specimen of male beauty.

“No problem,” he replied easily. “Well, ladies. I hate to cut this introduction short, but I should be heading out. I’m just going to grab my things, and I’ll be off.”

While Sloan was in the bedroom getting what I could only assume was his shirt, an awkward silence fell over the table. I offered Gabby a slight shrug and a smile, almost apologetic, as I waited for us to be alone so I could explain. She smiled at me in return, but her grin didn’t quite meet her eyes.

When Sloan emerged from the bedroom, he was fully clothed with his keys in hand. Leaning over, he kissed the top of my head.

“I’ll call you later,” he said. I moved to stand and walk him to the door, but he stopped me. “It’s all good. I can see myself out. You two have catching up to do. Gabby, it was nice to meet you. I hope to see you again soon.”

I silently watched him walk to the front door. Once the door was closed, I turned back to Gabby. She had gotten up from the table to snatch a leftover piece of toast off the counter. When she looked back at me, she placed one hand on her hip and stared at me with accusation.

“You have some explaining to do,” she said, pointing the piece of toast at me like it was a jousting lance. She sounded mad—and rightfully so.

“I know, I know. I should have told you. The problem was, I didn’t even know how to explain it to myself, let alone somebody else. It just sort of happened.”

“Happened? Last I knew, you broke it off with Dean and wanted to take time to reflect on things. I bumped up my vacation time and booked a flight here, assuming you would appreciate some girl time after just breaking up with yourfiancé,” she said, emphasizing the last word.

“He wasn’t my fiancé,” I reminded her.

“Whatever. Who cares about the technicalities—he proposed,” she waved off, then tossed the uneaten toast back onto the plate on the counter. “Bottom line is that you and Dean wereserious. Yet, when I get here, I see you’re shacking up with the hottest guy I’ve seen since Bradley Cooper. Now spill it. And I wantallthe tea. How long has this been going on for?”

I chewed on my bottom lip, hesitant to tell her the truth. I was a terrible liar, and if I wasn’t forthcoming from the beginning, she’d find out eventually. So when she narrowed her eyes with suspicion, I knew honesty would be best. Getting up from the table, I went into the family room and plopped down on the couch. Gabby took a seat in the armchair adjacent to me, crossed her arms, and waited not-so-patiently for me to continue.

“It began the first day I met him. I went to his house to introduce myself, lay out the PR strategy, and all that jazz. We talked for a while, then… Well, to make a long story short, when I was leaving, he kissed me. Don’t ask me to explain how it happened—it just did.”

“He kissed you! Wait—you were still with Dean at that point, right?”

“Yes.”

“Did you kiss him back?”

I groaned.

“Yes, I kissed him back. And you don’t need to remind me—I know I’m a terrible person.”

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