Page 26 of About Last Night

Toni is grinning when she turns to me, but her smile slides off her face when she sees my expression. “Just sister stuff,” she says. “You have a twin. You get it.”

“I think Willa and I have a very different relationship than you and Greta,” I say.

“The whole twin thing,” Toni says.

“No. Mutual respect,” I reply.

Toni’s mouth drops open a bit, then closes. Her shoulders slump.

Willa grabs my computer bag from my desk and says, “And, on that note, I’ll go get everything set up.”

“That wasn’t very professional of me, I guess,” Toni says.

“No, especially not in front of the employees.” I glance around the open office. Though the cubicles are divided by low walls, there’s no privacy and everyone nearby heard Toni’s lack of respect for Greta.

“Right. Sorry. For that and before. I shouldn’t have mentioned…”

I clear my throat and look around pointedly.

“Oh, right,” Toni says. “Come with me.” She gently grabs my hand and turns me around to follow her before dropping it.

Professionalism, Audrey. Put aside the fact that the last time this woman led you down a hall you had three incredibly satisfying orgasms and gave her four. It doesn’t matter that you had the best sex of your life with this woman, that she was the first woman you’ve come with simultaneously, that the intense emotions from Friday night continue to linger deep in your chest. Focus on the slight sway of her hips in those very, very, well-fitting hiking pants. No, Audrey. Focus on the meeting you have in ten minutes.

“Audrey?”

I jerk my head up and realize she’s busted me checking out her ass. Well, there’s only one thing to do, brazen it out and change the subject.

“You undersold your family business on Friday.”

“Yes, well. Like I said, I get tired of people wanting freebies. But I’ll make an exception for you.” She opens a metal door and waves me into a long narrow room with floor-to-ceiling shelves full of what looks to be one of every piece of clothing in their catalog. Toni turns to me, her shoulders hunched, and puts her hands in her front pockets. “I’m sorry I mentioned Dewey’s like that,” Toni says. “I realize I might have just outed you. Not that everyone who goes to Dewey’s is gay, but yeah. I shouldn’t have done that. Greta doesn’t care, obviously.” She waves her hands at herself. “Big dyke for a sister, and all.”

“Actually, it wasn’t obvious.”

“Greta’s always had resting bitch face, trust me.”

I narrow my eyes at her again.

“Right, sorry. Unprofessional. It’s something I need to work on, I know.”

Toni looks truly abashed, which is a relief. Her behavior for the last five minutes has made me realize how little I know about her. Her ability to see her mistakes, admit them, and apologize is refreshing. And, dammit, it’s attractive. It would be easier for my professionalism, and my willpower, if she would continue to act like an immature little sister. Because, Jesus, we’re going to have to work together. Or in the same building, at least.

“Thank you for apologizing,” I say.

Toni smiles, looking relieved. She rolls up the sleeves of her shirt.

Look up, Audrey. Look up. Stop drooling over her forearms. You’re a professional and at work, for Chrissake. When I meet Toni’s gaze she’s grinning.

“You did that on purpose,” I say.

“Did what?”

I wiggle my finger in the vicinity of her forearms. “You know what you did.”

She crosses her arms and flexes them. I can’t help but laugh, and Toni laughs with me.

She waves a hand at the clothes. “Pick what you want.”

“Oh, I couldn’t.”

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