Page 38 of Playboy Boss

“I know.” She should just be quiet. This was so not the time.

“If you can’t do that, then we’ll have to get another roommate. Brett said he would move in and help with rent.”

What? That was the worst thing Scottie could hear. She absolutely couldn’t stand Brett. Tara didn’t seem exactly excited about that notion, either. It was like a punishment. “No.” Scottie’s mind reeled, searching for and finding a solution that honestly was a last resort. “I’ll pay you tomorrow. I swear.”

Her eyebrows lifted. “Tomorrow? You swear?”

“I swear.” Scottie shut the door after retrieving her purse. She faced Tara again, who looked curiously at her.

“Where were you? You look weird.” Her eyes narrowed. “Have you been crying?”

Scottie froze. Tara always knew when she held back. “I’m just a little bit tipsy. Some coworkers went to the Bowie Brew for happy hour. On the boss’s dime.” And she was on the boss in his office. God.

“Oh.”

They walked inside the duplex in silence. With each step, Scottie could feel Konrad inside her. At the doorstep, Scottie turned to Tara, her heart in her throat. “I know I’ve not been responsible. I’m sorry.”

“We all have to grow up, Scottie.” Tara’s words were harsh, but her voice was soft, and Scottie knew she was right.

She had to grow up. In all aspects.

In her bedroom, Scottie pulled out a box from under her bed. It had odds and ends she didn’t want to get rid of. But what she was looking for was secure in a box, slightly worn from many years. She opened the box, the metal hinges creaking. Inside was an Art Nouveau gold Rene Lalique brooch made for British nurses in 1915. Her paternal grandmother left it to Scottie in her will when she passed away five years ago, along with the college money. The brooch was all she had of her father’s family.

And she was going to pawn it.

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