Page 22 of Stuck On Them

I knew what he was going to say. He was going to tell me that they were going to have to let me go. “I’d like to have a chance at this job.”

As much as I wanted to quit and run far, far away, I needed a job, at least until I could find another one. The bills weren’t going to pay themselves, and I was running low on funds. New York was more expensive than I’d anticipated. That was what I got for jumping into something headfirst.

Garrett shook his head. “I just want to make sure you’re okay. That was a lot to take in all at once... for all of us.”

Warmth spread through me, and it settled in my chest. I almost hoped it was acid reflux from the sample slice of pastrami and not because I was growing heart eyes.

“I feel like there’s a but coming.” I twisted my hands in my lap. Maybe he’d been tasked to get me away from the office and fire me so I wouldn’t make a scene.

“Why would you even want to stay? Won’t it be awkward?” Garrett looked past me and then a tray with our food was put on the table.

Jay clapped Garrett on the shoulder. “I hope this fella is treating you right. He usually comes alone; you must be one special woman.”

My cheeks flushed at his words, and I felt a mix of emotions wash over me. Garrett was bringing me to a place he clearly didn’t share with anyone else, but the entire situation we were involved in was so… inappropriate.

Jay winked at me before he left us to our sandwiches.

“Well... I can see what you mean by awkward, but this job is the first opportunity I’ve had in weeks. I don’t really have a choice and I’d prefer not to have to stay where a rat could potentially gnaw my toe off in the middle of the night.”

“Rats?” He looked concerned. “Where exactly are you sleeping?”

I waved his question off and took a bite of my sandwich, stifling a moan. It looked like I had a new favorite sandwich.

Garrett’s gaze never left mine. “I understand you need a job, but I want to make sure you know that what happened that night... it was a mistake. Ryker let it get out of hand and he’s not going to be able to handle seeing you every day.”

I frowned, feeling a pang of hurt at his words. “And what about you and Luca? It didn’t feel like something special to you? Even if it was just for one night?”

Why did I just say that? I sound like a needy puppy.

The way the three of them had made me feel was indescribable, and two of them hadn’t even laid a hand on me. What if they had, though?

I shifted in my seat, squeezing my thighs together to squash the ache that immediately started at the thought of the three of them taking me to a place I’d never even considered. It couldn’t happen. Itwouldn’thappen.

Garrett watched me closely, his brows slightly furrowed and his mouth in a set line. There was a war going on inside his head, and I could see the conflict in his eyes.

To my dismay, he shook his head slowly. “I’m sorry, but it didn’t. I know it’s not what you want to hear, but it’s the truth.”

I nodded, feeling the sting of tears at the back of my eyes. I didn’t want his apology because what we had shared that night had been anything but a mistake. It had felt right to me, even if it was just a one-night stand.

“I would never want to put you in a situation where you felt uncomfortable or taken advantage of. That’s why this isn’t a good idea. I can try to help you find another job, or Sue can put you in another position that works on another floor.”

A lump formed in my throat, and I blinked back the tears that threatened to spill over. “No, it’s fine. I understand. I’ll find another job, no problem.” Now I sounded like a wounded puppy.Get it together, Paige.

Garrett’s eyes were filled with concern and hesitation as he slowly extended his hand across the table. I took it without question, even though it was a terrible idea to touch him.

He sighed before speaking again. “I really am sorry.”

I pulled my hand away, feeling like a fool. All of the words he’d spoken were well-intended, but at the same time, I was the only one facing the consequences of that night.

We started eating our sandwiches in awkward silence. I wasn’t sure how things would be when we returned to the office, but that worry could wait a little longer. Finishing my sandwich was more important at that moment because the pastrami was fucking amazing.

I wasn’t going to let this ruin the rest of my day. The sandwich was making me feel better and I could just lock myself in my temporary office until it was time to leave. The alternative was running away with my tail between my legs, and I refused to let any of them chase me off. I agreed it wasn’t best for me to work with them, but a solution to my employment status needed to be considered too.

While chewing a bite, I reached into my bag and pulled out the email I had printed out. We were supposed to be having a working lunch anyway, and I needed to break the silence since he wasn’t.

“What should be my top priorities today besides situating the email sorting?”

“That will take you most of the day.” He put his sandwich down and took the paper, his eyes skimming down it. “What you do depends on if you’re moving to a new department or leaving altogether.”

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