Page 19 of Some Like It Hops

“Another menial task you don’t want to ask Marlena to help with?”

I level my eyes on him. “It’s about a woman.”

Brad laughs, motioning for me to come inside. “Well, son, you see, it’s perfectly natural for your body to start having these feelings—”

“Cut the shit, asshole.” I close the door, then sit down in a chair across from his desk. “I’m serious.”

“You’ve never been serious about a woman as long as I’ve known you.”

I frown. He’s right. What am I doing?

“Who is it?”

“No one you know.”

“That little redhead realtor?”

“No. Definitely not.”

“Okay then.” He tilts his head, watching me with narrowed eyes. “This isn’t like you. You look… you actually look uncomfortable.”

“Yeah. I shouldn’t have come in here.” What am I doing asking Brad for advice about Charlie? He’s no better than me when it comes to women, and he certainly won’t know how to be less of a dick. I push up out of the chair—

“Hold on. We’ve been bros since middle school. You can come to me about this shit, I’m just shocked is all. You’ve never needed advice about a woman.”

No shit. “I have a date with her tonight.”

“Oh yeah? Giving her the famous Griffin Lane 3-D?”

Drinks. Dinner. Dick.

“No. She’s not like that. This girl is—”

“Don’t even tell me she’sdifferent, Griff.”

I shrug. She is. Charlie’s not like any woman I’ve met before. “She’s too good for me.”

Brad scoffs. “Wow. I never thought I’d see the day. You actually like her.”

I stand and dismiss him with a flick of my wrist, then walk to the door. “Fuck off, man. I just wanted some advice, but never mind. Forget I came in here.” I pull the door open and—

“All right, Griff, you want some advice?”

I stop in the doorway without turning around. “Yeah.”

“Don’t be yourself.”

I wince, but flip Brad off over my shoulder and leave the office.

He can’t bring me down right now, not when I’m a few hours away from seeing Charlie. This woman has me all out of sorts, and, fuckingoddly, I like it. I can’t wait to see her.

Marlena’s not at her desk when I pass on my way to the elevator. In fact, I don’t think I’ve seen her all day. Eh, better off. I grow weary of the constant dirty looks she throws my way. Mistakes should be left in the past, not working for you and glaring at you day in, day out. But firing her for getting a bit too handsy with me could bring a shitstorm of epic legal proportions down on the company, so here we are.

Fast Lane’s private elevator makes its slow descent down twenty floors, then opens to the lobby of the building. As I exit, I hear my name and turn toward the sound. The building’s receptionist spots me and points in my direction, then the man she’s speaking to turns and makes a beeline for me.

“Griffin Lane?” he asks.

“Yes. What can I do for you…?” My words trail off as he hands me a manilla envelope and realization slams into me like a ton of bricks.Idiot!I’ve just been—

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