Page 36 of Finding Out

With a hand splayed on the desk, I hovered over her and perused the paperwork. “It’s only a couple of blocks from the zoo.” Surprising, yet it would be convenient.

“I know.” Her tone was high-pitched and full of excitement. “It’s for sale, and some amazing person might have gotten us locked in for a tour tomorrow at nine.”

Shit. I hated to burst her bubble, so I did my best to school my expression.

“You hate it?” She sighed, peering up at me through those dark lashes. “Okay, cool. I got overly excited.”

I dropped to a squat in front of her and pressed a finger to her lips. “It looks perfect.”

Grasping my wrist, she yanked my hand down, and those plush lips formed a small pout. “Don’t lie to me.”

“I’m not.” I chuckled. “But I’m leaving in an hour and a half, and I’ll be gone for the next two days.”

“Oh.” Brow knitted, she surveyed the room, her focus catching onmy suitcase where it sat next to the sofa. “Can I go see it anyway? If I like it, maybe we can set up a second showing for next week?”

I expected her to be upset that I would be gone. Instead, she didn’t even seem fazed. In the past, I would have been irritated if the woman I dated pouted about my trip, but in this moment, I was sort of bummed she wasn’t the least bit sad.

“This works well, actually. I won’t embarrass myself by asking all kinds of dumb questions in front of you.” Wren twisted in my chair, but I grabbed the arm, stopping the movement.

“Don’t ever be embarrassed about what you say to me or in front of me.” I cupped her cheek. “I want to know all what you think.”

Her lips parted, but she didn’t respond. It took her a minute, but finally she swallowed. “Well?—”

“Oh, damn,” Beckett Langfield, the team owner, called from the open door. “Sorry. Didn’t realize you had company.”

Wren jerked away from me, and the chair whacked into the desk, sending her reeling forward with so much force she almost fell into my arms. Quickly, she shifted as far away from me as possible without scrambling out of the chair completely.

Frustration bubbled up inside me. “Do you knock?”

The question was pointless. No, Beckett didn’t knock. He went where he wanted and did what he wanted, then apologized later. The man might have been full of good intentions, but sometimes his execution was shit.

“Sorry.” At least Cortney Miller, the team’s general manager, looked remorseful. “The door was cracked a little. We didn’t realize you had company.”

“I should go.” Wren hopped out of the chair, snatching up the papers I hadn’t really gotten to look at. “Have a fun trip.” She shoved the disorganized pages into the folder, then scurried from the room.

Beckett tipped his chin at Wren, and when she was gone, he turned back to me, smirking. “I caught someone with their hand in the cookie jar,” he practically sang. “This is the best news of the week.”

Scowling, I pushed to my feet. I didn’t want him here, and because of his arrival, I hadn’t even gotten to say goodbye to Wren.

“Butt out,” Cortney muttered from beside him.

“You saw it.” Beckett shook his head. “His heart is taken. That’s why he’s ignored all the women I’ve tried to fix him up with.”

“Or, like I’ve been saying, he doesn’t want to be set up with high-maintenance women,” Cortney pointed out.

I didn’t want to be set up with any women, but Beckett never bothered with my opinion. Ever since the team’s owner had fallen head over heels for the former head of PR for the Revs, he’d been relentless about giving us all a chance at his type of happiness, whether we wanted it or not.

Beckett’s lips vibrated as he blew out his disagreement. “Red-bottom boots, manicured nails, perfect hair. A watch that cost more than mine. Man Bun, that chick screams high-maintenance. Now that I’m finished with Brooks and Bosco, this is my new project.”

Annoyance rippled like waves of heat beneath my skin. I better not be a fucking project. I would have to kill him.

Sighing, Cortney crossed his arms over his chest, a folder tucked under his elbow. “Fine. Get it all out. Otherwise I’ll never get to discuss Storms.”

“This is why you’re my best friend. Why I gave you the perfect wedding.” Beckett sank onto the sofa and rested an ankle on one knee.

I blinked at Miller for a couple of heartbeats. Wedding. That was right. I hadn’t seen the GM since he’d gotten married last weekend. “Congrats.”

Cortney’s eyes softened as his lips kicked up. “Thanks, man. It’s nice.”

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