Page 40 of Stuffed

"Long enough to need a cold shower." She fans herself dramatically. "So… dinner at his place?"

"Apparently he cooks."

"Among other talents, it seems." She wiggles her eyebrows. "Want help picking out something 'easy to take off'?"

I throw a napkin at her, but I'm laughing. "You're terrible."

"And you're in love with him."

I start to deny it, then stop. Because maybe I am. Maybe I have been since high school. Maybe…

My phone buzzes again.

Zane

Already counting down to seven. And Tessa?

Me

Yes?

Zane

This time I won’t be going easy on you.

I grin, tucking my phone away and turning to head back to my desk, but Ivy's knowing look follows me.

"What?" I ask, shuffling papers that don't need shuffling.

"Nothing." She pauses at the kitchen door. "Just… be careful, okay?"

"I thought you approved of Zane?"

"I do. Surprisingly." She leans against the doorframe. "But I also know what it's like to fall for a Mercer. They're… complicated."

"Because of Asher?"

She nods slowly. "They carry a lot of weight on those expensive shoulders. Family expectations, business pressures, society pressures."

"Zane's different," I say, but even as I say it, I remember how quickly his walls went up this morning after that kiss. How easily he slips back into that cold, professional mask.

"I know and he clearly is obsessed with you; he just better make sure he realizes what he has with you."

She disappears into the kitchen before I can respond, leaving me with thoughts I'm not ready to examine too closely.

My phone buzzes again. Another text from him.

Zane

Missing that ass already. Sure I can't convince you to bring it to lunch?

I smile despite myself, typing back.

Me

Thought you had meetings all day?

Zane

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