Page 71 of Finding Our Reality

And I really hate crying over Ry. Again.

Chapter 24

CRUTCH

“What in the world does ‘Girls’ Night’ actually mean?”

She laughs, closing the lid on her laptop. “Why in the world is this bothering you so much?”

“I know you, Lulu. You’ve never done the things that normal women do. That includes makeover parties and drinking Cosmos.”

This time, she laughs so hard she snorts. “You’re right. I’m definitely not meeting up with other women to do their makeup and drink frilly little drinks.”

Leaning against the doorway, I cross one ankle over the other, staring at her. She glances up and I watch her eyes as they hungrily scan my body. She tries not to blush, but she does. Hiding her beautifully flushed face behind a curtain of hair, she packs her work bag. Sighing, I cross the room and tug the computer bag from her shoulder to mine. She used to fight me about that, but she doesn’t now.

Little by little, our frozen past is thawing. And I’m not sure what to think about that.

I lock the conference room door and walk her to the parking lot. When we pass by Tara at the front desk, she rolls her eyes.

“Will there ever come a time when you don’t roll your eyes when we walk past Tara?”

She leans against the door of her SUV. “Will there ever come a time we stop running into women you’ve seen naked?”

I hate it when she talks about me being with other women. I know I’ve been stupid. I don’t need the constant reminder ofwhat a piece of shit I am. “Maybe. When I settle down. Know anyone up to the job?”

I take a step forward, lightly pressing my body against hers. She stops breathing. Her nipples peak, shining through the thin fabric of her yellow blouse. At least she has on pants today. True, they are tight-ass pants that only come to her ankles, but still. That’s better than a skirt. If she were showing me her nipplesandher legs all at the same time, I would have to jack off the second I make it somewhere remotely private.

She licks her lips, making me instantly hard. “I’ll be happy to check my contact list. Perhaps a nice, mild-mannered librarian?”

Chuckling, I take a step back. I have to. Being that close to her is pure, sweet torture.

Smiling like she won the game, she turns, opening the car door. I grab the frame, leaning against it as she climbs in. Eventually, she cocks her head. “Fine. It’s just me, Raylee, and Aunt Teresa.”

“What is?”

“The ‘Girls’ Night’. Raylee got a babysitter. We’re going to dinner and to the movies. Afterward, we’re going to the bar to hear the band. Will, Holt, and Uncle Ray will be there. We’re making a whole night of it.”

“Sounds like fun.”

She grabs the steering wheel, turning her knuckles white. All of a sudden, a black car pulls up behind us, honking the horn. The passenger lowers the window, and Raylee leans half her body out the open hole.

“Ella, what the heck are you doing? Did you forget we were picking you up?”

I bend down and see Teresa behind the wheel. I give her a small wave before turning back to Lulu.

She frowns, mumbling to herself. “Oh, I forgot. I guess I got distracted.” Grabbing her purse from the seat, she jumps out, and I slam the door behind her.

Raylee hollers again before raising her window. “Come on, I’m freakin’ starving.”

“I see it runs in the family,” I tease.

“Yeah, sometimes, it’s scary how much alike she and Holt are.” For a second, Lulu fidgets with her fingers. Quickly releasing her hands, she stands straighter and lifts her chin in the air. “So, I guess I’ll see you next week sometime. I’ll let you know what my work schedule is.”

I run my fingers across my belt in habit. “Go ahead and ask me. I know you want to.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t beat around the bush, Lulu. I like you when you get to the point.”

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