Page 87 of Tempt Thy Neighbor

I like curling up on the couch and watching ridiculous TV together. I like watching him make breakfast even when he scolds me for putting ketchup on my eggs. I like watching him try to charm his way into the heart of every person he meets, and I like his confidence even when it borders on arrogance. I like the way he looks first thing in the morning, his eyes puffy from sleep, and how he looks when he comes.

Most of all, I like the way he makes me feel.

So it’s not just about what he does to my body.

It’s what he does to my heart.

How every time he walks into the room, my eyes are drawn to him, and that steady pitter-patter of my heart turns into a rapid beat.

I don’t want to lose any of that. I don’t want to lose him.

Because I’m not so sure I can survive it.

“Have you seen Emma today?” April, a coworker, asks, stopping at my desk.

I shake my head. “No, I haven’t, and she was supposed to give me some numbers today so I can finish this report.”

“Ugh,” April gripes, tossing her head back. “I guess she’s not here, then. And neither is Larry…again. For someone retiring soon, he sure is missing a lot of work. Too bad—I could have really used some help on this project today.”

“Oh, well, I can give you a hand if you need it,” I tell her, pushing away from my desk. “I’m kinda stuck on the report right now anyway.”

“Really? Gosh, that would be such a relief. Thank you.” She leans into me conspiratorially. “You know, don’t tell anyone I said this, but I’m secretly rooting for you to be project manager.”

She winks, and I give her a warm smile.

“Thank you,” I say, but inside I’m worried as hell.

I was hoping with Larry retiring at the end of the month, Jessa would be announcing who she’s picked as a replacement soon. But I haven’t heard anything, and I’m starting to get the feeling that means it’s not me who got it.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t bummed about it.

I have been putting my all into this promotion and this company for the last few months.

And, I want it. I want itbadly.

Even if I know it means losing Sutton.

We are already walking on a thin sheet of ice by sleeping together, and I know if I do get this promotion, there is absolutely no way it can continue.

But it’s not something I want to think about now.

Right now, I just want to be with him—no matter how wrong it is.

“Ms. Evans, Mr. Barnes, may I see you both in my office?”

I don’t know why, but the way Jessa requests our presence makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention.

I turn to April, whose eyes are also wide with trepidation. “Give me a minute?”

She nods. “Of course.”

As casually as I can, I drift my eyes to Sutton.

He’s wearing a blank look, one I can’t read, as he breezes past me and into the office.

With a steadying breath, I follow him, closing the door behind me.

“Please, take a seat,” Jessa says, waving at the two chairs sitting across from her.

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