Page 70 of Something Cheeky

Not to mention that Derek would have to work with his best friend turned girlfriend without anyone learning about it. All while mounting the most important show of his life. He took deep breaths to push away the anxiety creeping up his chest.

“It will all work out,” Derek said out loud to reassure himself, but the words echoed off the walls, making them sound even more hollow.

Chapter 31

Zoe set down her fabric shears and unlocked her phone. But there were no new texts since she’d checked two minutes ago.

“Relax. He hasn’t missed a day in the past two weeks,” TJ whispered as he brushed past Zoe on his way to the sewing machine. “Don’t forget his schedule isn’t as flexible since rehearsal started last week.”

“What are you talking about?” Zoe feigned ignorance and shoved her phone into the front pocket of her work apron.

“Your lover boy who delivers your afternoon coffee.”

“He’s not my lov—”

“Then explain why you take private ‘meetings’ in the fitting room every afternoon at three?” TJ glanced at the clock. “Maybe quarter after, since he’s late.”

“I’m showing him the costumes in the fitting room. So he can see how they’re progressing.” She wasn’t lying to TJ, only omitting what happened after she updated Derek.

Like yesterday, when Derek had pinned her against the wall as he pleasured her with his hand while his kisses swallowed her cries. Zoe’s cheeks weren’t the only part of her that blazed with heat.

“You mean those costumes?” TJ pointed to the garments hanging on racks on the far side of the costume shop.

She swallowed hard. She didn’t know how much longer she could hide her relationship with Derek from TJ. He was twice as nosy as he was observant.

“Those aren’t ready for the actors’ fittings yet.” Those pieces were only partially constructed because they were working in order of most complicated costume to simplest.

“Liar, liar, pants on fire,” TJ accused.

“I’m wearing a skirt,” she tossed back. She’d taken to wearing skirts or dresses every day to make her afternoon “meetings” with Derek flow more smoothly.

TJ cocked his head and set his hand on his hip. She returned his stare with a sweet yet mischievous smile.

“I will get the truth out of you.” He waved a finger at her.

“The truth about what?” Derek asked as he walked into the shop. He held a cardboard tray with four drinks.

TJ looked at Zoe, then Derek, and back to Zoe. He held two fingers to his eyes before pointing them at Zoe in anI’m watching yousign. She laughed nervously. Derek stood in the doorway with a confused expression.

TJ grabbed two coffees from Derek and delivered one to the shop manager, Shawn, who was working in his tiny office with glass windows looking into the costume shop.

“Um, here’s your cà phê s?adá,” Derek said tentatively as he passed Zoe her usual order.

“I’m taking my break,” TJ announced loudly. “You two better behave.”

“What was that about?” Derek asked after TJ left.

“He’s just being dramatic.” Zoe leaned in closer and whispered, “I think he’s on to us.”

“How? We’ve kept our relationship very professional while we’re at Prestige.”

“I wouldn’t call yesterday’s two orgasms HR-approved.”

“You’re right. I think it needs to be a lucky three.” He leaned in closer, his voice deepening.

“Well, Mr. Bui, we’ll have to test your theory,” Zoe replied in an even tone as a shiver ran down her back. She closed her eyes as she recalled the sensations that ran through her body the prior afternoon.

“If you insist,” he replied with a gleam in his eyes.

---