Page 77 of Studious
The doors close again, but the elevator doesn’t move. Alden pulls me to him and gives me a hard kiss.
Then he hits the open button, and we step out.
I’m not totally sure what just happened, but I think I’m happy about it.
* * *
When I walk into a partnership meeting later that afternoon, Charlie corners me.
“What the hell is up with you? How come you haven’t been out with me in… a long time?” He says “a long time” meaningfully.
I shrug. “Busy.”
“Uh-huh. Busy with our bookkeeper,” he whispers loudly.
I shrug again.
“You haven’t been going to the club. You haven’t been stumbling in here smelling like sex and alcohol. Are you finally getting your life together?”
“I never come to work smelling like sex and alcohol.”
Noah looks over at us. “Uh, yeah. You do. Or did, at any rate.”
“I have perfect hygiene.”
“And a tendency for quickies,” August says.
I snort. He’s not wrong. I built my reputation by making my way through the town.
And yet.
And yet.
Now I don’t want to. I just want Alden. And that’s a scary thought. I’ve never not wanted to look for something new before the sun comes up.
Charlie studies me. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were starting to catch feelings.”
I’m not going to insult Alden by denying it. “I like the guy. What can I say?”
He raises both eyebrows. “Fascinating admission coming from you, counsel.”
I glance around. The meeting hasn’t begun, and the other partners all seem interested in Charlie’s and my conversation.
I need to change the subject. I notice August is texting, but Noah is steadfastly ignoring his phone even though it’s buzzing repeatedly in his pocket.
“How come you never check your phone when anyone’s around?” I ask.
Noah shifts in his seat. “Um, no reason.”
“Uh-huh.”
August coughs. “All right. Well, it’s inappropriate shit. And that’s all I’m gonna tell you.”
I grin. “Wait, what? You and Noah send each other inappropriate texts all day?”
“Not all day! Just… judiciously timed ones. We have rules.”
I nod at him. “Okay, whatever.”
