Page 94 of Reconciling With the Rival

“What’s up?” I ask him.

“We should get together for a drink one of these days.”

I’m not surprised by his offer. “Yeah, I’d be down.”

“After Thanksgiving? Most of our big projects will be done. Maybe we can even hit the driving range together. You seem like you’d be really good at golf.”

“I do alright, I guess.” I’m not the most athletic person ever, but I tend to pick things up pretty quickly. I mean, how hard can it be to whack a ball with a club?

“I’ll let you know.” He goes to leave before he pokes his head back in. “And can you send me the report about our latest campaign when you get a chance? I want to know if our ads and shit worked for them.”

“I’ll have those to you by the end of the day,” I tell him as I see Ella wiping her face.Is she crying again?“Is that all?”

“Yeah, that’s all.” He smacks the side of my door frame as he leaves. I’m not sure what it’s going to be like hanging out with him outside of work, but I’m sure it won’t be too bad. Plus, I need some more friends other than my sister and Holt. Well, and I guess Grant and Oliver. It’s so fucking hard to make plans as adults. I swear, whenever I have a night open, those two are busy. I miss having a fucking social life.

And for some reason, Ella has become a part of mine. Before I can stop myself, I head over to her office, knocking so she doesn't throw something at me if I were to barge in.

“Hey,” is all I can manage to get out of my mouth.

She looks up, confused as to what the hell I’m doing here. “Did you need something?”

Fight with me so I know you’re okay.I clear my throat before I speak. “Are you…uh, feeling okay? After last night, I wanted to check.”

She furrows her brows at me.

“Look, I’ve been distracted all day thinking about you crying, so tell me you’re alright so I can get back to doing my fucking job.”

That perks her right up. Any time I use that tone, she gets pissed.

“If you’re so distracted, then stop thinking about it. How about that, Zimmerman?”

God, I’ve never been so happy to hear my surname. “It’s your fault I’m off my game. So, are you alright?”

She stands from her desk. “I’m fucking fine. Happy?”

“Almost,” I say as I close her door, not wanting anyone else to hear this. “I’d be happier if tonight when I got home, you were naked on your bed.”

Surprise laces her features. “What?”

“You heard me, and if you don’t listen, our pact will go down to two instead of three.”

“That’s not what we agreed on, dickhead.”

A smirk crosses my features.She wants this as much as I do. “Well, I want the first time to be on my terms, Williams. So listen to me, and you’ll be rewarded tonight, okay?”

“But what about—”

“Alissa’s working late tonight.”

She must remember her telling us she’s barely going to be home this week. On Sunday night, my sister got a phone call, yelled about how stupid someone was, and ran to her room to grab her work laptop. She told us some huge company got hacked and she’ll barely be home this week because of it.

What a perfect way to start our arrangement. The only crying she’ll be doing tonight is crying out my name as I fuck her.

“Fine. But don’t count on me leaving the office before you; maybe you’ll have to be the one who’s naked.”

“That’s fine by me, darling.” I turn to leave but stop when my hand touches her door handle. “You know I don’t mind being bossed around, especially by you, Ella.” I lock eyes with her as I open her door. “It turns me the fuck on when you yell at me.”

“Get the fuck out. I’ll see you at home.”

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