Page 31 of One Pucking Secret
She squeezes her clothes against her chest. “We keep it casual, okay? When this job’s done, so are we.” It’s not a negotiation. It’s a line she’s drawing, a firm tether to reality amidst whatever we were getting lost in.
“Okay,” I say, though the word feels hollow, a lie wrapped in indifference. A part of me—the part still tangled in the heat of her skin, the sound of her sighs—screams in protest. But Wyatt Banks doesn’t protest. I take life on the chin and keep moving forward. Yet, the ache in my chest tells me I’m already too attached, deeper than I care to admit. I’ve had people walk away before, but this? This feels different, and I hate that it does.
We return the kitchenette to order, a sterile space once again, as if our passion was just another mess to be cleaned up. But the lingering heat in my veins and the scent of her perfume clinging to the air tell a different story—one I’m not ready to close the book on, not by a long shot.
Chapter 11
Chloe
I slump into mydesk, letting out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. My legs feel like jelly from rushing around all morning, and I still can’t believe I made it through that meeting without losing my mind. My thoughts scatter, drifting between the chaos of today and memories of last week.
“Rough day?” Lainey’s voice breaks through the quiet of my office, pulling me from my thoughts. She leans casually against the doorframe, one eyebrow arched, taking in my disheveled state.
“You have no idea,” I groan, glancing at her as she steps inside, her presence offering a strange comfort. “You wouldn’t believe how my day went.”
She raises an eyebrow, her lips twitching as if she’s holding back a laugh. “Try me.”
I roll my eyes, leaning back in my chair. “It started with burnt pancakes, spilled milk, andalmost missing the bus with Jasper. Then I hit traffic, of course, and by the time I got to work, all the parking spots were taken. Oh, and then there’s Sonia’s latest tirade about Wyatt. Then the printer jammed right when I needed it, emails bounced back, and clients were calling nonstop. To top it all off, I broke my heel right before the Henderson meeting.” I sigh dramatically, throwing my hands up. “Had to wear my sneakers to the meeting. Today has been one long disaster.”
Lainey chuckles, crossing her arms. “Sneakers, huh? Well, you made it through, didn’t you?”
“Barely,” I mutter, running a hand through my hair.
Her gaze softens as she studies me. “You’re still thinking about what happened two Fridays ago with Wyatt, aren’t you?”
I sigh and look up at her. “Actually, I’ve been thinking about Denver.”
She quirks an eyebrow, intrigued. “Denver?”
I hesitate for a moment, then decide to spill it. “I haven’t told you about last week yet. I was in Denver for a client, and I made time to watch Wyatt play live. He hurt his shoulder really bad during the game, and I figured I should check up on him before I left.”
Lainey’s eyes widen, clearly intrigued. “So what happened?”
“I showed up at his hotel with dinner, and I thought I’d finally tell him the truth, but… things led to something else, and we ended up having sex. Then I panicked and told him to keep it casual.”
Lainey’s jaw drops slightly. “Wait, what? You told him to keep it casual after all that?”
“Yeah.” I cover my face with my hands. “I freaked out, okay? And now I’ve been keeping things kind of professional since Denver. Just checking in with his PR stuff. Plus, he’s been busy with his hockey games, so we haven’t really talked much since.”
Lainey lets out a low whistle, walking farther into my office. “So, what are you going to do?”
I shrug helplessly. “I don’t know. It’s eating me alive, to be honest.”
Lainey studies me for a moment, then smiles. “How about this—I’ll take Jasper off your hands tonight? My nephew is coming over for a sleepover, and the two of them can have a little party. That way, you’ll have some time alone to think or just relax.”
I blink, caught off guard by her offer. “Really? You’d do that?”
“Of course,” she says with a reassuring smile. “You need a break, Clo. Go take some time for yourself.”
I nod, the guilt I usually feel about asking for help creeping up, but I push it down. “Thanks, Lainey. I’ll take you up on that.”
“Good. Take the night off. I’ll pick up Jasper and my nephew after school.”
“You’re a lifesaver,” I say gratefully. “I really do need this.”
Lainey grins. “Yes. It’ll give you time to think about things. And maybe stop avoiding your feelings for a certain hockey player.”
I manage a weak smile as she heads out of my office, leaving me to process everything. I slump back in my chair, trying to make sense of the mess of emotions swirling inside me.
