Page 97 of Snap Shot

“I know you have a thing for him and it'stotallyunprofessional.”

Uh oh. “I don't have a thing for him.”

“No?”

I scoff, hand swatting the air in denial. “No.We're friendly, but I have Gym Guy, remember? But I suppose flirting could be seen as unprofessional.”

“Ah, man! I didn't mean it. This is probably gonna sound bad, but I was doing it on purpose.”

“On purpose?”

“Yeah, because…” Bea tries to capture the straw in her mouth without looking. It evades her at every angle until it pokes into her upper lip. She winces. “Ikindawant tickets to some games to see Donovan play.” Surprise, surprise. “Don't judge me!” she whines. “I have thehugestcrush on him.”

“Me? I'd never judge you for that.” Regret sinks into my gut for thinking badly of my friend. Myfriends. Right, friends. Wow, Iwasan asshole. I owe Landon a hell of an apology. Friends fight, friends make up, right?

Bea sighs, relieved. “Thank God. You're the best boss ever, Indi.”

“I'm not your boss.”

“Speaking of,” she sings. “Mind if I take lunch early? I gotta go pick up this bike I bought.”

“You bought a motorcycle?”

“No, a bicycle. My car's dead.”

“Bea,” I scold. “I thought you got it fixed.”

“Yeah, me too.” She shrugs. “The mechanic charged an arm and a leg, and the old clunker wasn't worth it. I sold it to him for whatever parts worked.” Bea sucks the last of her drink with a rattle. “Needed to pad my account to pay for law school next year, anyway. And a bike will help keep me in shape. I'll get rid of my gym membership to save some more cash.”

“Sounds like you're getting things figured out.” I haven't seen Bea think so far ahead about anything before. Pride fills my chest, followed by a fleeting sadness. “What am I gonna do next year without you?”

She rejects my puppy eyes. “Die, probably.”

I snort. “Probably.”

“Eh, you'll be fine.” Bea backpedals with open arms. “I'll still be around.”

I let myself mourn for a moment after she's out of sight, then keep my mind off both losing Bea and figuring out how to appease my otherfriend.

—————

The sun sets as I arrive at the back entrance of Landon's building. A large garage door whirs open as I tap the key fob to the reader. I pull in and drive up the ramps to the top floor, reusing the fob to lift the barrier gate arm.

About a dozen cars line the side against the wall. I pass a white Porsche, a red Ferarri, a black Range Rover, and a blue Maserati. Does he own all of these?I shouldn't be shocked. There are others hidden under protective covers. I park in an open spot and stride towards the hallway door, the warm light of the penthouse lobby contrasting the fluorescent glow of the garage. I mean to knock, but instead wiggle the handle. It's unlocked. I twist it and enter, sliding my heels off in the foyer as noiselessly as possible.

A shirtless Landon stands at the far end of the kitchen, crouched over the island. It's quiet except for the scratching sound of his pencil's vigorous strokes. He doesn't seem to hear me approach, continuing his drawing.

“Hey.” I sidle up next to him and softly slam the side of my body into his. “Whatcha drawing?”

Landon straightens and folds the paper, hiding the outline of a face when he shoves it into his pocket without a second glance. “Now you're talking to me?”

“I'm sorry I snapped.” I press my cheek into his shoulder.

He grunts but allows my hand to rest on his forearm. My fingers trace the raised veins trailing up into those defined biceps. They flex under the light touch.

“Do you even like me, Indi?” Landon maintains the hang of his head and motions toward my grip on his arm. “I know you likethis, but sometimes I wonder if you like me at all.”

What's this? Mr. Confident himself, Landon Radek, has insecurities about whetherIlike him?My heart sinks into my belly. You suck, Indi. You've been a shit. Say it.

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