Page 9 of One Pucking Surprise
Janelle smirks. “No wonder women are all over him.”
“Exactly!” I say, throwing my hands up.
“Please tell me you used protection,” Janelle says.
“Of course. We went through all the condoms in my purse.” I look around for my purse. Then I remembered I didn’t bring it because I knocked it down when I got home to take a quick shower and change. I didn’t have time to pick it up, so I only brought my wallet.
Chloe and Janelle exchange a glance before Janelle laughs. “You were totally prepared for a night like this, weren’t you?”
“Not intentionally!” I snap, but I can’t keep the heat from rising in my cheeks. “Oh gosh. Should I even be talking to you about this? Aren’t you still considered our boss, Janelle?”
“Hey, we went over this. We’re practically partners now. Just because I’m the CEO doesn’t mean I call all the shots. You both own a share of the company now, and I’m grateful to run Luminous with you two. We’ve grown from 50 to 100 employees, and I couldn’t have done it without you.”
After the PR case with Wyatt’s hockey career went viral, Luminous Communications—our entertainment PR firm—skyrocketed in popularity, attracting high-profile clients and doubling its revenue. Janelle had always planned to expand, but the rapid growth required more funding. That’s where Wyatt came in.
He bought a significant portion of the company’s shares and split them between Chloe and me. It was his way of thanking me for helping Chloe take care of Jasper all these years—a gesture of appreciation I hadn’t seen coming. I’d refused the money outright, but Wyatt, being Wyatt, invested it into the company instead and handed me the shares.
Now Chloe, as VP, manages client strategies and oversees operations, while I work as Accounts Director, ensuring campaigns run smoothly and relationships with our clients thrive. Together with Janelle, we’re building something bigger than I ever imagined.
“Janelle, you’ve built something incredible,” I say, meaning it.
“You and Chloe are the reason we’re thriving now.”
“Aww, thanks.” Chloe and I both say and give Janelle a group hug.
“Oh, great news. Zach is officially out of the wedding planning picture. He agreed to let me take the lead while he handles his part.”
“Well, I’m fine with whatever. I trust you. Wyatt doesn’t care either. He’s giving you all the power and his credit card. Even though I told him I’d pay for half since I didn’t want my parents to pay for the wedding.”
“Love that, Chloe! Wyatt’s a keeper. So… Lainey. Did Zach let you take the lead before or after the orgasms?” Janelle laughs.
Chloe covers her mouth, trying to stifle a laugh. “Oh, stop! You’re terrible.”
I can feel the heat rushing up my neck. “Could we not, ladies?” My voice pitches higherthan I’d like, but I meet their gazes head-on. “And, for the record? Before.”
“So he buttered you up and then took advantage,” Janelle says.
Chloe laughs then asks jokingly, “So, are you still looking for a date to the wedding, or do you have one now?”
I give her a mock glare, but I can’t help the laughter that slips out. “Ha ha, very funny. I’m still on the hunt for Mr. Perfect, thank you very much.”
Janelle raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Mr. Perfect? What’s all this about?”
Chloe and I exchange a glance, and I feign reluctance before shrugging.
Chloe starts to tell her about what happened back in college. “Okay, so back to Drew. Lainey had this huge crush on him, like major heart-eyes, can’t-eat-can’t-sleep crush.”
Janelle’s expression softens with sympathy, glancing at me with understanding. I put on an exaggeratedly tragic face, clutching my chest. “Yes, it was heartbreaking. My one true love turned me down.”
“Lainey was devastated when he started dating Clarissa.”
At the mention of her name, I grimace. Clarissa—my eternal nemesis.Blonde, gorgeous, and somehow always perfectly put together. She was everything I wasn’t back then. And Drew? I thought we hit it off, but clearly, I thought wrong.
Janelle chuckles and steps forward to give me a hug. I laugh, waving her off. “I’m over it, I swear. It was years ago.”
Janelle tilts her head, curious. “Who’s Clarissa?”
Chloe doesn’t miss a beat. “She was a girl who was always in competition with Lainey for no reason. She was the queen of popularity—beautiful, polished, comes from a wealthy family and every guy wanted her.”
