Page 52 of Boss with Benefits

“Can it wait?” Deacon asked. “Or is it an emergency? We were just finishing up here.”

“It can wait a few minutes,” Brady said.

The patient leaped to his feet, spry for a man his age, and he stumbled over his words. “I think we’re... uh, it’s enough for today. I’m d-done.”

“I’ll see you next week then,” Deacon said. “Same time and place.”

The man quickly left, and Brady closed the door behind him. “I am so sorry, Deacon. I didn’t mean to barge in like that.”

“Don’t tell me. Let me guess.” Deacon closed his eyes and put a hand to his head, playing psychic. “I see a beautiful woman with long blond waves. You entered into a sham marriage with her, and now she wants to make it real.” He peeked through a slit in one eye. “Am I close?”

Brady fumed in silence for a moment. He hated it when Deacon acted like he was always right about everything. They needed to talk, so Brady sat on the couch. He didn’t stretch out on it. Too wired. He clenched his hands into fists and told his best friend what was on his mind.

“Jessica told me she loves me.”

Deacon wore a triumphant smile. “I knew it. I tried to warn you. Didn’t I tell you she would want more?”

“I’m not sure she does,” Brady said. “The words were a slip of the tongue, and she was drunk.”

“Oh. A drunk I-love-you doesn’t count. We’ve all been there.”

Brady nodded, feeling instantly better about it. “You’re right. She was plastered, and she took it back almost immediately. She even apologized.”

“Sounds like you’re in the clear. For now.”

Brady leaned back against the middle cushion and forced himself to relax. He didn’t have anything to worry about. His pulse stopped drumming in his throat, and the panicky feeling that had followed him from his house dissipated. He had freaked out over nothing.

“Other than your wife telling you she loves you, how is married life treating you?” Deacon asked.

“Shut up,” Brady said with a wry smile.

“Seriously. Anything else on your mind?” Deacon asked. “The rest of my hour is free.”

Brady sighed. “I’ve been thinking about leaving town after she gets sole custody.”

“What!?” Deacon jumped and the notebook fell to his lap. “You can’t do that. If you leave, who am I going to bitch to about Samantha?”

“Hire a professional.”

“Bah!” Deacon picked up his notebook and gave Brady a dirty look. “Why would you want to leave Seattle? If you want to get away from Jessica, kick her out of your house and buy back her part of the agency. You’ll never have to see her again. It’s a big city.”

Didn’t matter. As long as they were in the same state, he wouldn’t be able to stay away. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while now. My work isn’t as fulfilling as it once was, and I feel like I need a challenge. Maybe taking photographs around the world will do it for me.”

Deacon sat in silence for a moment with pursed lips. To Brady, it looked like his best friend was pouting. It wouldn’t do him any good if he was, because Brady would go if he decided to go. Jessica was only a small factor. She needed him now, but once she didn’t need him any longer, he could leave town.

“Does Jessica know?” Deacon asked.

“I think she has enough to worry about.” Brady shrugged. “If I decide to hit the road, I’ll give her plenty of notice. I’ll either sell her my part of the agency or we’ll sell the whole thing to someone else.”

Deacon whistled between his teeth. “This is huge, man. Maybe you don’t realize it yet, but women don’t like it when you make decisions for them.”

Brady fumbled with his words. “I’m not... I didn’t... you’re right. She is going to be pissed at me.” He raked a hand through his hair and started pacing. “But I can’t let that matter. I can’t build my world around her.”

“Why not?” Deacon rolled his eyes. “You are obviously crazy about this woman. Maybe you haven’t realized it yet, but you love her.”

“Do not.”

“Yes, you do.”

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