Page 29 of Under Ground

I kiss her, and she laughs into my mouth, which just makes me smile.

“Did you just waste a kiss, Ms Maitland?” I ask.

“I believe I did. Might have to get one some other time to make up for it.”

I scan her expression. Her face is flush with excitement, her eyes dancing.

“Did you just ask me out again?” I ask.

She shoves my shoulder. “I think I did. You should get out of here before Casey sees you or you’ll never be allowed to leave.”

“Again—would that really be so bad?” I shrug, my palms up.

“Stop it.” She laughs softly.

“I will call you tomorrow. And probably the day after that. And …”

Her smile grows. “I get the picture.”

“Good. Because I plan on seeing you again. Whether alone or with Casey.” I reach for her hand. “Goodnight, angel.”

“Goodnight,” she whispers.

I peck her on the cheek and step out of the flat, closing the door behind me. It takes everything in me not to skip back to the car.

Tonight was everything I’d hoped it would be and more. It’s not going to be easy to pursue a romance while I’m working, but I’m determined to put in the effort.

Lana Maitland is worth it.

8

Lana

On Monday, I’m still floating.

Alex texted me yesterday to tell me he was thinking about me, and he’s all I’ve been able to think about.

He made me feel more special than I’ve felt in a long time.

It’s nothing like the way things were between Gareth and me. No secrets and no lies. There’s no wife he’s not telling me about, and, thanks to Anna, I’ve brushed up on my Alex Stone general knowledge.

He likes me for me.

Gareth always told me we couldn’t go out in public because people would judge our age gap. While that was probably true, it turned out to just be that he was married. Alex has already taken me out once.

And he was right—no one seemed to recognise him.

I’m on automatic pilot all morning, getting through my work without any interruptions. Close to lunch, the door opens, and I’m not paying attention until Anna approaches me.

“Lana, this is for you.”

Anna places a bouquet of red roses and a gift basket on my desk.

My eyebrows take on a life of their own as they rise, and I grin as I pick up a baked item from the basket and take a sniff.

Banana muffin.

“Those flowers are so beautiful. Now you have to spill all the goss about your date.”

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