Page 66 of Drawn to You

Savannah scoffs, amused. “Pardon my French, but grow the fuck up, son. If you want to be in an adult relationship, you have to act like an adult.”

He grins at her. “I know, Mom. I’m just teasing her. She knows I’ve got her back.” He turns to me, his expression shifting to a serious one. “I’ll provide the startup cash and help you drum up a few clients. Arnold will give you a glowing recommendation. You need to do this.”

All three of them are looking at me expectantly. I still haven’t had time to think about Monica getting the promotion and what that means for me. A little voice inside my head is telling me to wait until my assignment with Dane is finished and then reassess things. Because while I appreciate Dane believing in me, I know if I started my own publicity business, my aunt would use every resource at her disposal to see that I fail at it.

Why have I been so loyal to someone who would do that to me? Whether she’s the only family I have left or not, she doesn’t deserve it.

Savannah stifles a yawn. Dane walks over to the refrigerator and takes out two bottles of water, side-eyeing me as Mr. Darcy jumps up onto the kitchen counter.

“We’re going to head to bed,” he says. “You guys know where everything is. I have to be at the arena early for game day. You’re coming to the game, right?”

“Of course, we wouldn’t miss it,” Savannah says. “I might spend some time here tomorrow while your father is working.”

Dane hugs her and kisses her on the cheek. I like how openly affectionate he is with her.

Everyone says good night and a wave of exhaustion hits me as we walk to Dane’s bedroom, his hand on the small of my back. It’s been a hell of a day. Dane and Islept together. Several times. Our pretend relationship didn’t last long, and now we seem to be in a real one.

What does that mean, though? Are we exclusive?

I also met his parents, who weren’t at all what I expected, though I didn’t really have any expectations because I never thought I’d meet his parents.

And Monica got the promotion. I want to be angry about it, but more than anything, I’m hurt. I’m good at my job. I’ve put in my time and contributed a lot of good ideas. My clients all love my work.

After we’ve brushed our teeth and climbed into bed, I’m grateful when Dane wraps his arms around me instead of trying to initiate sex again. The sex was amazing, but I’m sexed out.

It’s sinking in that this time with him won’t last forever, and soon I’ll have to walk back into the office and congratulate Monica on her new role. I may choke on those words.

“Josie Garver PR has a nice ring to it,” Dane says, kissing the top of my head.

I close my eyes and burrow against his chest, tucking my head beneath his chin. “I can’t even think about that right now. Hold me tighter.”

He strengthens his hold on me, making me feel secure.

“Better?” he murmurs.

“Mm-hmm.”

Jane is going to have to reassign me somehow because there’s no way I can work on a team led by Monica. I’ll quit before I report to that bitch. I’d rather eat cat food and sleep in a tent than give her the satisfaction. I can always fall back on waitressing. And I may have to do it soon.

“You think you guys will make the playoffs?”

“Yep.”

I sigh, relaxing a little. That gives me more time with Dane. More time for the shock of losing the promotion to wear off. More time before I have to go back to the office and face reality.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Dane

“On your left, Foster!”

I turn just in time to raise my knee and deflect a soccer ball someone kicked my way. My teammates are gathered in a circle outside the locker room, passing the ball around to loosen up before our game.

“Where are you going?” Tate asks as I kick it back his way and turn to leave.

“Meeting,” I call over my shoulder.

As of now, I’m the only one who knows about the meeting, but it’s happening. Our team owner, Arnold, is in the arena for the game, and I’d rather talk to him in person than over the phone.

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