Page 109 of The Shake Off

“Yeah.”

She checked her watch. “Think we can get one more drink and then leave?”

“You’re the boss,” I replied. “Lead the way.”

She stood up and took my hand, and I followed her back to the party.

Which is when it occurred to me I’d probably follow her anywhere.

TWENTY-ONE

PAYTON

“Hey, Payton, reception just called and your nine a.m. is on the way up.”

I put my coffee mug down on the desk and peered over the back of Mia’s screen to look at her.

“What did you say?”

“Your nine a.m. is on the way up.”

I brought up my calendar to find a blank space in the nine o’clock slot. “I don’t have a nine a.m.”

“Oh, I’m sure they said it was for you.” Mia’s brow dropped. “Hang on, let me call them back.”

I settled in my chair and brought up the manuscript I was editing. I’d nearly finished the first draft, and I could tell this would be a best-seller. It didn’t matter that I loved it, I knew the girls would love it, and the four of them were so different they were practically their own little focus group. Even without them reading, I could feel deep in my bones that everyone would go crazy for this book, especially as it was set in a little English country village with a hot AF grumpy male lead. It was cute and heartwarming, and made you want to believe in love and all the gooey shit that came with it. The fantasy of it, at least.

I wasn’t going to lie and say I hadn’t shed a tear or three last night when I’d been reading before Ace came over.

Which brought me back to the present.

The only other meeting I’d ever had unannounced had been Ace, and this couldn’t be him. I’d left him in bed, and there’s no way he’d have gotten dressed and followed me here.

Mia was still on hold with reception when the light of the elevator caught the corner of my eye. I didn’t understand it, but my stomach rolled in on itself anyway. I didn’t have time to theorize, as the explanation made itself known a second later. The elevator doors pinged, and out walked Penn Shepherd.

In what was likely a first for him, there was no one rushing to greet his arrival with his coffee already in hand, and take his coat, or whatever else he desired. Considering it was still early, and relatively quiet, he stood in the entrance and peered around.

There was no way this was a coincidence. He was looking for me.

I pushed out of my chair so hard it rolled into the bank of desks behind me. Ignoring the way my blood felt like it had been dipped in liquid nitrogen, I ran along the row to find him before he started hollering – which I knew he’d do if he was left any longer.

“Penn?” I smiled, again summoning my acting lessons from ninth grade and plastered on my best innocent face.

He spun around at the sound of my voice.

I’d known Penn for a couple of years now. I’d been on nights out where we’d all gotten inordinately drunk, and he’d made sure his driver had taken me home safely. I’d watched countless games of baseball with him and our mutual friends – though admittedly Penn always stood to the side and watched the field like a hawk. I’d been on vacations, weekends away, I’d been to Shepherd family galas and charity functions. I’d been Lowe’s bridesmaid at their wedding last Christmas.

The point is, I’d seen him in all manner of situations, with all manner of expressions… except this one; Penn Shepherd, billionaire Baseball Club Owner on official business.

I’d been busted.

“Hello, Payton, how are you?” he kissed my cheek. “Sorry for dropping in like this, hope you don’t mind. Lowe told me you finally got promoted. Nice view.”

I nodded. “Thanks. Yeah, I sure busted my ass long enough.”

“Mmm.”

To anyone who didn’t know him, they could easily claim Penn was standing in front of me looking nervous.

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