Page 139 of My Lucky Charm

“No, Dad, this is how I thank you.” I push past him, walking down the hallway and back to the locker room.

He calls my name, but I don’t turn around.

It’s time to unlearn a few things.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Eloise

Ilove bacon.

Friday morning, after the game, I wake up to the sizzling, greasy, delicious smell.

I open my eyes, and it takes me a minute to remember where I am. Not in my apartment. Not in Gray’s apartment. I’m in my childhood bedroom.

After the game, Scarlett and I were both tired, and frankly, I didn’t think sleeping in Gray’s room was a smart idea, so we stayed the night here. And now, I can hear my dad banging around in the kitchen, probably intent on impressing Scarlett with his signature breakfast. Pancakes, eggs, and bacon.

I pick up my phone and check for messages, but there are none. Gray didn’t call last night after the game. He said he’d call, but he probably got busy.

Maybe he went out celebrating.

Maybe he took to heart what I said about distractions being good and he engaged in a few “extracurricular activities.”

I groan at the thought.

Not my problem. Assistant—not girlfriend.

I drag myself out of bed, brush my teeth, and head downstairs to find my parents in the kitchen with Scarlett, who is kneeling on a stool cracking eggs into a bowl.

“Eloise!” Scarlett grins. “Good morning, sleepyhead.”

I laugh at the reminder that she is unlike any other almost eleven-year-old I’ve ever met. “Good morning, Chef.”

“Your dad taught me to sign my name!” Scarlett drops an entire egg into the bowl as she says this, and my mom fishes it out without missing a beat.

Scarlett lifts her hand and begins to sign. She gets tripped up on the “E” and my dad jumps in to help her, and by the time she finishes, she’s got both of my parents holding up their hands and shaking to sign applause.

“She’s a natural,” I say as my dad signs.

“How do you spell your name?” Scarlett asks.

I round the corner and step into the kitchen, and that’s when I discover Gray and Dallas are sitting at the table, cups of coffee in front of them.

And I’m not wearing a bra.

I round my spine and cross my arms over my chest. “Oh!” I gasp the word, like I’ve just seen a bear in the bathroom. “I didn’t know you guys were here.” I spot a zip up hoodie of my father’s hanging on the hooks by the back door, and I shrug it on, zipping it all the way up to my neck.

Poppy emerges from the living room. “Smooth.” She’s trying not to laugh at me, but she’s failing. “They got in early, and Dallas couldn’t wait another second to see me.” She gives me a once over. “You look terrible.”

I shoot her a look. I know I look terrible. That’s what happens when you don’t sleep because you’re trying to figure out how to stop having a crush on your hot boss because a relationship with him could cost you your job and get him in legal trouble. Possibly. I’m not sure about that last one, but the whole conversation with Raya has me a little freaked out.

Because—and this is what actually kept me up—I really like Gray. I know. I tried not to, but I do. His apology did me in.

“Eloise?” Scarlett says as my mom signs. “Your name.”

My dad taps her on the arm and shows her my name sign. The sign for “sunshine” incorporating the first letter of my name. When Scarlett sees he isn’t fingerspelling it, she frowns.

“Why does it look different than mine?” she asks, Mom signing.

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