Page 36 of Huge Pucking Play

I bite my lip. "He knocked on the adjoining door. I answered. And that was all she wrote. There had definitely been some serious sexual tension brewing between us for way too long."

Sophie fans herself dramatically. "Don't stop."

"Sophie, you know what happened from there."

"Details, Cyn! I need details!"

I laugh, feeling giddy. "Let's just say we didn't get much sleep that night."

Sophie squeals, drawing looks from nearby tables. She lowers her voice. "So, was it just the one night?"

I shake my head. "No. We...we were together both nights. And..." I pause, my cheeks burning. "On the plane ride home."

Sophie's eyes go wide. "The plane? As in, the team plane?"

I nod, unable to stop a grin from spreading across my face. "I went to the bathroom and he came back a few minutes later and knocked on the door. It was cramped and rushed and so fucking good."

"Oh. My. God." Sophie's practically vibrating with excitement. "You joined the mile high club! I can't believe it. I don't know anyone who's actually done that!"

I laugh, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and pride. "It wasn't exactly comfortable. Garrett's so tall and wide, we barely both fit in there..." I trail off, lost in the memory.

Sophie leans in, totally enraptured. "I’m assuming you didn’t get caught because I would have already heard all of this.”

"No," I breathe. "Most of the guys were sleeping and I’m pretty sure the ones that were awake weren’t paying any attention."

Sophie shakes her head in amazement. "I can't believe you kept this from me. So what now? Are you two a thing?"

I sigh, the reality of the situation crashing back down. "No, nothing has changed. Wecan’tbe a thing.”

“What if it could be, though? Would you want it to be"?”

Little Miss What If. Sometimes I feel like Sophie lives in LaLa Land, where everything always works out for the best and no one ever getsfiredfor making bad decisions.

But excitement bubbles in my chest, warring with a gnawing fear. "I don't know, Soph. This could end so badly."

"Or it could be amazing," she counters.

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "I've got loans to pay off. I'm saving for a house. I can't risk my job over this."

"But what if it's worth the risk?"

I stare down at my half-empty wine glass, conflicted. Garrett is exactly what I want in a partner, except for the part about him being a co-worker. But is it worth the risk?

I take a deep breath, memories flooding back. "You know how it was for me growing up, Soph."

Sophie's expression softens. "Your dad leaving?"

I nod, throat tight. "Mom struggled for years. We barely scraped by. The employees at Goodwill knew us by name."

"But she turned it around, right?" Sophie reaches across the table, squeezing my hand.

"Eventually. But those early years..." I shake my head. "I can still hear her voice. 'Cynthia, never let a man jeopardize your financial security.'"

Sophie frowns. "That's a bit harsh, don't you think?"

I shrug. "Maybe. But it stuck with me."

"The Blades aren’t going to fire you if they find out. And if they did you would find a better job the very next day."

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