Page 19 of Mr. Almost

“She said something today that I don’t understand.”

Eli and Brantley both lean forward, giving me their attention.

“She said I had my mother do my dirty work and that she will never forgive me.”

Brantley laughs. “You would never have your mother do something for you.”

I tip my glass at him. “Exactly.”

“That’s odd. I thought your mother’s reaction to her was extreme, even for her. I wonder what you’re missing,” Eli says thoughtfully.

“Have you thought about looking at her employee record?” Brantley says.

Eli glares at him. “Mason isn’t using classified work information for personal gain.”

Brantley shrugs with zero shame. “I would. Hell, go to her house and make her tell you. She can’t run away then.”

“Sure, and get slapped with a restraining order,” I deadpan.

We fall silent.

“I hate to say it, but I think she made herself clear. She wants nothing to do with what you’re offering,” Eli says quietly.

“No means no. Even I know to respect that,” Brantley adds.

I rub my face with my hand. “I know. Trust me, I fucking know, but I don’t know if I can. There’s just something about her.”

“You know the best way to get over a woman?” Brantley says as he catches the waiter’s attention.

“Don’t say it,” Eli groans.

“To get on top of another,” Brantley continues.

I scoff. “That hardly worked when I lived in a different city. I doubt it will now that we’re in the same area code.”

“Then it sounds like you, my friend, have to play the long game,” Brantley tells me.

“What does that even mean?” Eli shakes his head. “And should he really be getting relationship advice from you when you’ve never had a girlfriend?”

Brantley places his hand over his heart. “I give great advice, and for the record, I have had a girlfriend. Little Mary in second grade. I kissed her under the slide after she said she would be my girlfriend. The next day, I found her kissing Lewis in the same spot. I never recovered.”

“You’re literally the worst,” Eli tells him.

“Can we change the subject, please? I would rather talk about anything other than women right now…” I confess.

The guys share a look that I don’t even try to decipher.

“Sure, Brantley, are you going to end up with the number one draft pick or not?” Eli asks.

Brantley makes a noise in the back of his throat. “Of course I will,” he says before jumping into talking about stats and hockey contracts.

While he talks, I zone out thinking about Olivia. I have to figure out what happened.

Chapter

Five

OLIVIA

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