Page 114 of Fiery Romance

“Boyfriend?” Vanya asks me with a knowing smile on her lips.

“Husband.” The woman in the over-alls guesses. “Very overprotective. Like Max.” She glances at Vanya. “Or Haydn.”

“Dawn, no one is as overprotective as Hadyn.” Vanya rolls her eyes.

“Are you married?” Dejonae asks me, her brows jumping.

Nova tilts her head. “Strange. You seemed like the type to mention things like that. Incessantly.”

Everyone is talking.

Regan is pulling on my skirt.

I’m usually always in control of a situation, but I feel overwhelmed. Probably because I’m keenly aware that Clay’s on the other end of the line, listening to everything.

“No, he’s not—he’s not my boyfriend.” I hike Regan up and balance her on my hip. “We’re not… he’s like.. my boss. I wouldn’t date him.”

“Why not?” Clay says. “It’s not illegal.”

“Hey, now isnotthe time to be joking.”

But it’s too late.

The women erupt with chatter.

Aww.

I dated my boss too.

I think everyone here might have dated their boss. Except Vanya.

Hadyn was more annoying than a boss.

Who’s your boyfriend, Island?

Do I know him?

When did you start dating?

“Do you hear what you started?” I growl into the phone.

Clay sounds far too pleased. “I’ll tell Palinsky to stand down. How long do you think you’ll be?”

“I’m not sure. Probably a while.”

“I might be late picking up Regan tonight,” Clay says.

I nod, tuning the other women out. “Abe’s at practice. He said he’ll stay back late to run his lines. And before you say anything I made him promise not to smoke.”

“Oh,” Clay’s voice is warm, “well I guess he’ll definitely not smoke then.”

“Careful. You might choke on that sarcasm, Bolton.”

He laughs, deep and low. “I’ll pick up Abe later and then drive over to you and Regan.”

“Okay, and try not to unleash your tech guys on my client’s house before then. If you want to check on Regan, you can call me.”

He laughs.

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