Page 49 of In a Pinch

Coming around her desk, I hop up on an empty corner. “See, that’s the thing. Sam is kind of estranged from his family. It’s a work in progress, but I don’t want to push it too hard, and I am honestly not really quite sure what’s happening between us.”

“Okay. So. Sam is estranged, and you want to keep it on the down-low because…?”

Damn, I am a really bad storyteller.

“Because Isla kind of isn’t sure about him, and with my track record, I already know she won’t approve. So, I will just have to cross that bridge when I get there. Or, if we get there? We’ve only kissed once.”

Her hands fly to her desk as she borderline jumps out of her desk chair. “YOU KISSED?!”

I look over to Tyler, who has now perked his head up. I give a little wave, which is returned this time, before I turn back to Regina with wide eyes.

“Bitch, can you please keep it down?” I say, looking around at everyone who is now staring at us in her cubicle. “This is not being cool and keeping it on the down-low.”

“Shit, sorry.” A sly smile finds her again. “Soooo, how was the kiss?”

“Really freaking good.” So good that I can’t stop thinking about it and am going through all sorts of trouble just to do it again.

“Nice.” She nods her head in approval. “Yes, your secret is safe with me.”

“Okay, great. He will meet us at Cal and Isla’s, and his friend Theo is also coming. He was the bartender from the other night.”

“Okay, well, from here on out, my lips are sealed.” She fake seals, locks, and throws away the key. “Only if you promise to share the juicy bits with me.”

“Deal.” I reach across and shake hands with her.

A part of me—a large part—feels guilty for not telling Isla. I feel like I am just getting back on my feet. I’ve got my own apartment, I’m doing really well at work, and I’m finally letting myself chase who I want. And on the odd chance she would shut this down, it would be another hit to my confidence that I couldn’t take after barely getting it back. She has made it pretty clear that I cannot pick a suitable partner to save my life.

If this goes further, I’ll bring it up. Really, I will. I promise, mostly to myself.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Addie

“How do you own so many clothes?” Sam asks after carrying down the third storage container of clothes down the stairs.

“Well, I like clothes. And I don’t really collect anything else, as you can tell. So, it’s clothes. And some shoes. Be glad. I could be into fitness, and you could be carrying a container full of dumbbells down the stairs.”

He rolls his eyes at me as he grabs another tote, looking around the room. “Is this all you brought with you?”

“Yeah, I pretty much sold the majority of my stuff to my roommate, then packed up the rest of the stuff and hit the road. I will be in need of a few Target runs.”

“Are you taking the bed with you?”

“No. Actually, mine is supposed to be delivered around 8 p.m. tonight. I paid for express shipping. So, it better show up. Oh, on that note, if I buy you dinner, will you come back or stay to help me put it together? Also, do you have tools to put it together?”

His lips tug up. “You don’t need to sweet-talk me into sticking around longer to help. Yes, I have tools. I’ll swing by my house once we are done unloading to grab them.” His flirtatious tone causes my cheeks to pink.

Our texts over the last few days have become more frequent. Flirtier. Everything with him is just becoming… more. There’s this pull to him that I can’t fight. Frankly, I am tired of trying.

“Thanks. I probably could have made do with a butter knife. Also, that reminds me, I need to buy silverware.”

“Please, save your cutlery and buy a screwdriver or two while you’re at Target.”

I stick my tongue out at him as I grab a box.

“Hello, you guys up there?” Theo calls out as his feet thud up the stairs. He shows up in the doorframe a few seconds later. His usual scruff peeks through the lower part of his face, and he’s wearing denim on denim with his jacket and jeans. Who’s going to tell him that went out of style in 1990?

“About time you show up. We’re over halfway done.”

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