Page 52 of Just for Fun
“I don’t know where you work.”
I lick my lips nervously. “What do you mean?”
His smile is so bright, I think I might need sunglasses, too. “You need to tell me where to take you, baby. Where is it that you’re late?”
“Oh, that.” I swallow hard. I am such a mess.
SIXTEEN
Kyle
I’m notsure what wakes me up, but when I open my eyes, I feel so much better than earlier when I was running on two hours of sleep and no caffeine. With that said, I am extremely happy with how the morning went.
There were multiple things that went in my favor.
First, the way Zara kissed me. She was sweet with just a hint of a promise that she would be wild once I finally got her in my bed. And there is no doubt that will happen sooner rather than later. I have a radar for that, and it’s never failed me. She wants me, but she is more selective than the women I usually bring home. That’s okay, though, I can be patient.
Second, I didn’t just drive her to work. I walked her in. I laugh out loud as I remember the way everyone who was present in the lobby froze at the sight of us.
“Hey, everyone,” I greeted them.
Zara latched onto my arm and refused to let go. In fact, I’m pretty sure she was trying to hide behind me.
“I’m Kyle.” I gave them a happy wave. “I’m just dropping Zara off.”
An older gentleman stepped forward, a puzzled look on his face.
“Zara, are you okay?”
She cleared her throat behind me. “Yes, sir.”
He brought his eyes to me, moving them up and down and side to side, trying to decide if I was a danger not only to Zara, but to him and the rest of the people now gathered around us.
“And this is a friend of yours?” he pointed at me.
“Yes, sir.” Her voice shook when she spoke. “Kyle is m-my…”
“Boyfriend,” I chimed in helpfully. “I am Zara’s boyfriend.”
The gasp of shock coming from everyone was hysterical. I wish I’d had my phone ready to record. They were all staring at us, well, mostly me, with their mouths agape.
I started talking like this was a common occurrence.
“I’m sorry she’s late this morning. It’s actually my fault.”
One of the ladies takes a few steps closer, the curiosity obvious on her face. I figured she had to be the office gossip chief.
“Zara has never been late before,” she informed me. Taking a look around me, she shook a finger at Zara. “Young lady, you gave us a scare this morning.”
“I-I…”
“It was all me,” I told the lady when Zara couldn’t spit the words out. “She’d told me how important it was to get to work on time. But I’m not a morning person, never have been. When the alarm went off, I talked her into a quick nap. And now…” I pulled Zara from behind me, then hooked my elbow around her neck, bringing her into my body. “Here we are.”
Everyone continued staring at us. I could tell that Zara wanted me to disappear, after which she’d work on erasing her coworkers’ short-term memory.
“Praise the lord!” The one lady grabbed us both in a hug. “The girl is not a robot!” She then turned to face the others. “I will collect my money at lunchtime.”
“We need more proof,” the older gentleman argued. “Just because he said he is the boyfriend…”
