Page 52 of Stuck with my Boss Daddies

My stomach clenched. I wasn’t ready for this.

For the questions.

The speculation.

For the truth of it.

Because Ididn’tknow what last night meant.

I could still feel Kai’s warmth, his touch burned into my skin. The way he had looked at me like he wasn’t sure whether to kiss me or keep me locked away so he’d never lose me again.

And yet, the moment I’d woken up, panic had clawed at my throat.

I needed to get out of here.

I drained the rest of my coffee and stood. “We just work together, Samantha. No need to add fuel to the gossip fire.”

She hummed like she didn’t quite believe me. “If you say so.”

I forced a smile, turned on my heel, and headed straight for the door.

If Medford wanted a story, I’d make damn sure they didn’t get mine.

Hayley was already in the kitchen when I got back home, humming softly as she poured warm tea into a ceramic mug. She turned when she heard me, her hazel eyes lighting up.

“Well, well. Look who finally surfaced.”

I rolled my eyes but smiled, making a beeline for the teapot and pouring myself a cup. “It’s barely past nine.”

“Exactly,” she said, smirking. “Early for you.”

I took a slow sip, savoring the familiar warmth. “I was out late.”

Hayley arched an eyebrow, her expression amused but not prying. “Uh-huh.”

I sighed, setting my mug down. “Not like that. I went to bowling night, ran into a few people.”

Her smirk deepened. “Oh? Anyoneinteresting?”

I groaned. “Can we not do the thing where you read too much into my life?”

“Nope,” she said cheerfully, taking a seat at the small kitchen table. “You forget, you used to tell me everything about everything.”

I buried my face in my hands. “God, you’re worse than Samantha.”

Hayley’s laugh was warm and all too familiar. “You like it. Besides, it’s nice having you home. The house has been too quiet. I didn’t realize how quiet until you came back.”

“You think she didn’t feel the same way? That maybe you were exactly what she needed, too?”

Adam’s words hit me once more.

Did Hayley really need me as much as I needed her?

“Yeah?”

She reached over, squeezing my wrist. “Of course. You don’t have to rush to figure everything out. No one’s kicking you out. Ever.”

I nodded, but I didn’t trust myself to say anything.

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