Page 23 of Most Likely to Deny Love

“Huh? How come?” Emily’s expression shifted as she took a closer look at my face. “Never mind. You look like shit. In you get.”

Behind me, I heard the soft purr of Jack’s car pulling away from the curb as Emily closed the door.

“Ladies,” she announced as we moved toward the living room. “Mia’s home early, and she’s had it, so we’re implementing an emergency Unfuck Your Day.”

I stepped into the living room to find it packed with the most important people in my life. Poppy was perched on the arm of the sofa, her pink hair piled high in a messy bun. Maya lounged in the armchair, while twins Samara and Annie sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by wine bottles and takeout containers. Sisters Hannah and Cassidy were on the couch. We’d all beentight since high school and I know I couldn’t have got by without them. Now, they all turned toward me with identical expressions that shifted from excitement to concern.

On any other night, I might have been up for the chaos, but right now even keeping my eyes open felt like a challenge.

“You. Sit.” Maya pointed to the spot on couch Hannah had just vacated. The moment I sat, Cassidy covered me in a soft throw.

“You okay?” Cassidy as the oldest of us, always took that motherly tone.

“I’m fine,” I said weakly, even as I melted into the cushions. “Just a little tired.”

“Wine,” Poppy declared, already pouring. “And food. You look like you haven’t eaten in days.”

Within moments, I had a plate balanced on my lap, merlot in hand, and the comforting weight of the blanket tucked around me.

Emily settled into the armchair opposite me with a gleam in her eye. “Now tell us why Mr. Broody had to personally drive you home.”

“Yeah, spill,” Maya added. “Emily said you’ve been getting in after ten every night. What exactly have you been doing on all these late night sessions?”

Lustingwas the honest answer, but I wasn’t about to say that out loud. “It’s just a work project that can’t be done in hours. That’s all.”

“That’s all?” Hannah snorted. “Men who are ‘just bosses’ don’t personally chauffeur their employees home every night for a week.”

“Or let them drive themselves,” Cassidy added, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. “It’s highly unusual professional behavior.”

“There’s nothing unusual about it,” I protested. “I was tired. He was just being nice.”

“Was he just being nice when he practically had his arm around you getting out of the car?” Hannah put air quotes around the words.

“I gotta say, he’s pretty damn hot,” Samara put in.

“You should have seen him at the gym earlier this week,” Emily announced. “I’m talking muscles for days. The way that t-shirt stretched across his chest? Criminal.”

“You were at the gym with Hot Boss?” Poppy gasped.

“We weren’twithhim,” I clarified quickly. “He happened to be there at the same time.”

“A delicious coincidence,” Emily waggled her eyebrows. “He was benching what looked like a small car, and Mia practically walked into a wall when she spotted him.”

“I did not!” Heat flooded my face as everyone burst into laughter.

“You absolutely did,” Emily insisted. “And then you couldn’t stop staring.”

“What’s he like as a boss?” Annie asked softly, redirecting the conversation in her gentle way. “Is he as intense as Emily says?”

I hesitated, thinking of Jack’s focused expression when he worked, the way his eyes lit up when he caught onto a good idea, how he’d insisted I eat during our late-night sessions.

“He’s... complicated,” I admitted. “Driven, yes. Intense, definitely. But also unexpectedly thoughtful.” The memory of waking up with him gently calling my name made my cheeks warm again.

“Oooh, thoughtful,” Poppy cooed, refilling my glass. “Do tell.”

“Nothing to tell,” I insisted, pulling the blanket higher. “He’s my boss. End of story.”

“Your boss who wears cologne that probably costs more than my monthly rent,” Emily added. “Seriously, girls, he smells like money and sin.”

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