Page 91 of Stuck On Them

“No problem. Don’t let anyone ever tell you that me being nosy is a bad thing.” He winked and let go of my hands. “Now go.” He disappeared down the hall toward my office.

I walked toward the elevators, wanting nothing more than for the day—the whole weekend, honestly—to be over.

Chapter28

Pastrami Made Me Do It

Paige

Pastrami Palace. Garrett had said it could cure a bad day, and I was in need of that cure.

I don’t know what led me to walk to the deli, but as I stood in the long lunch line, the smell of pastrami brought me comfort.

What didn’t bring me comfort was the thought of Daniel ruining the deal for LRG. Would he really stoop so low to tell his bosses that I was sleeping with all three of mine?

I pulled my phone out of my purse to a string of messages in a group text.

Luca:Did the thought of lunch with me make you that ill?

Garrett:Shut up. Paige, are you okay?

Luca:I bet she’s laughing into the porcelain bowl she’s currently hugging.

Garrett:She probably isn’t home yet.

Ryker:Please tell me you called our car service and are going to one of our places.

Luca:Do you want one of us to come take care of you? Say the word.

Me:I’m still a little queasy but think I’ll be fine. What did Ethan tell you exactly?

Ryker:That you ran into the bathroom and then came out looking like you’d survived a whirlwind tour with your best friends Salma and Nella.

Garrett:What did you eat for breakfast? Maybe it was the coffee?

Me:It might have been the cream in the coffee. I had one of your breakfast burritos, but if you guys aren’t sick...

Luca:That’s what you get for not going to Perky Squirrel.

Me:Lesson learned. I’m sorry I’m missing the rest of the meeting.

Ryker:Don’t worry about it. We just want you to feel better. We’ll bring home stuff for Garrett to make soup.

The guilt over lying to them about why I left was already gnawing at me like a rat who stole an Oreo.

I was finally at the counter and Jay’s face lit up with recognition. I was surprised he’d remembered me since I’d only come in once with Garrett.

“No Garrett? Don’t tell me he didn’t treat you right.” Jay put his order pad on the top of the deli display, his hand poised to write down my order.

I smiled, feeling a twinge of sadness at the thought of Garrett breaking up with me. “He’s treated me right. Just here for a bad day pastrami sandwich with extra mustard.”

After paying, I managed to snag an empty table for two right next to the table me and Garrett had sat at. Maybe coming here for lunch wasn’t such a good idea. I could always ask for my sandwich to go instead.

My phone buzzed and I took it out again. This time it was Ethan who said he’d update me on what was happening at the meeting.

Ethan:Paige. His last name is Turner.

Me:I know you can’t see me, but I’m rolling my eyes at you.