Page 63 of Arrogant Puck

“Felt pretty real to me.”

She glares at me, but there’s color in her cheeks that suggests she’s not as unaffected as she wants me to believe. “Can you take me home? I need to talk to Emma about... everything.”

“You mean you need to confirm that last night actually happened.”

“Maybe.” She stands up, pushing the half-eaten plate away. “I need to get some of my things anyway.”

Twenty minutes later, we’re in my car heading across town to her place. She’s quiet during the drive, staring out the window like she’s trying to prepare herself for whatever conversation awaits her.

When I pull up to the small duplex, she doesn’t get out immediately. Instead, she turns to me with an expression that’s almost shy.

“Thank you,” she says quietly. “For last night. For picking me up, for... everything. And I’m sorry for invading your space like that.”

I shake my head. “It’s no problem.”

She searches my face like she’s looking for something, then nods and opens the car door. “I’ll probably be a while.”

“I’ll be here.”

“What? Why?”

“We have a flight to catch.”

“Shit!” she panics, looking at the clock.

“Don’t worry. We have a few hours, so make it fast.”

“Oh my god. I’m so stupid.”

I watch her walk up the front steps, noting the way she hesitates before entering the apartment. When it opens and she slips inside, I settle back in my seat.

She said she’d make it fast.

Let’s hope she does so we don’t miss our flight.

I tap on the steering wheel.

Three days.

Three days to convince her to live with me.

Chapter 23

The apartment feels different when I walk in—colder, more foreign. There’s a random woman sleeping on the couch, her blonde hair splayed across the throw pillows like she owns the place. I try to remain quiet as I creep through the house, my heart pounding with each careful step.

I knock softly on Emma’s door and turn the knob. The room smells like sex.

“Emma?” I say, even though she’s clearly asleep. “Can we talk? I have a work thing, so––”

She opens her eyes and immediately rolls them when she sees me. “No, just leave.”

“So, I seriously need to move out?”

She nods without hesitation. “Yeah. Your replacement is on the couch.”

No fucking way.

I glare at her for a moment, my stomach churning at the reality of how quickly I’ve been replaced. Less than twelve hours and I’m already yesterday’s news.

---