Page 17 of A Whole New Trick

I spin around and pull my arm away. “Yes, we already established that.”

His eyes trail over me, once again looking like he’s seen a ghost. “Why wouldn’t you tell me?”

I scoff. “Why would I?”

He flinches.

A flicker of remorse stabs me in the chest, but I dismiss the guilty sensation. I’m not the asshole in this situation. Not by a long shot.

I take a deep breath. “Listen, I know things might be awkward, but I’m hoping we can both be professional and do our jobs.”

He frowns. “Professional?”

“There’s no reason we should let our… mistake impact our jobs.” I’m acutely aware that I’m the one who will suffer most if we can’t move past what happened between us at the club all those months ago. Management might be pissed if Dane doesn’t comply, but it’s not like they’d fire their star center for not wanting to work with a nutritionist.

Said nutritionist, however, would be easy to part ways with.

“Mistake?” His frown deepens.

“Yes.” I shove a strand of hair behind my ear and motion in the direction of my cubicle. “So, should we create a base plan for you so we can go our separate ways as soon as possible?”

His eyes flash, and his confusion gives way to frustration. “Sure, Morgan,” he clips. “Whatever you want.”

6

DANE

“Tellme again why you’re cleaning the refrigerator like you expect Grandma to show up and lecture you for not closing pasta sauce jars properly?”

I pull back from where I’m hard at work, scrubbing the sticky red residue from the fridge’s top shelf, and meet my younger brother’s amused expression with a glare. “I already told you. The team nutritionist is coming by today.”

And I don’t want Morgan to think I’m a slob.

Not that I think she could have a lower opinion of me. The sexy brunette has been nothing short of cold with me the two times we’ve interacted since her boss assigned her as my nutritionist.

“Right.” Eli hops up and sits on the edge of the kitchen island, cocking his head to the side as he observes me. “And why does her opinion matter so much?”

“It doesn’t.” I turn my back to him and return to work.

“Oh, I get it.” My brother laughs. “The nutritionist is hot, isn’t she?”

The hottest woman I’ve ever seen.

I thought Morgan was beautiful the moment I first saw her at Carter’s barbeque, but I haven’t been able to stop thinking abouther after we shared that mind-blowing kiss in the middle of the crowded dancefloor. A kiss that clearly didn’t affect her the same way—based on how she’s acted since seeing me again.

I huff a non-committal sound and keep my face turned toward the fridge, but my nosy younger brother doesn’t take the hint.

“Oh, man. This is fantastic. You’re finally getting back on the horse after bitch-face Chelsea. Good for you, man.”

“I got back on the horse a long time ago,” I huff.

“You’ve hooked up with girls, but when was the last time you had a real girlfriend?”

I look over my shoulder and glare at Eli, but he doesn’t care.

He continues, “Oh, that’s right.” He snaps his fingers. “Since bitch-face Chelsea.”

I shake my head at the unflattering nickname, but I don’t bother reprimanding him for it. Chelsea was my college girlfriend, and her behavior towards the end merits the insult.

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