Page 68 of The Upgrade

It sounds melodramatic, but this is important work. Meaningful work.

I wasn’t expecting that.

There’s still plenty to do before I assemble my report, but I fire off a few notes to Ashton Holyfield. Then I close up my laptop, crawl under the covers, and lie there listening to the hum of the air conditioner. To the soft shush of waves rolling over soft sand.

In the back of my mind, I’m hearing the echo of Eve’s laugh. Seeing her face fill with pleasure as I twisted her into some ridiculous position just to watch her dissolve into giggles.

I fall asleep thinking of white picket fences. Of blossoms in vases and shared private jokes. Of bedtime kisses and couch snuggles with a Cocker Spaniel.

I fall asleep thinking of Eve.

CHAPTER11

EVE

“I’m on it.” Nina sounds weary, but surprisingly sharp for someone who worked an all-nighter. My VP of marketing is earning her keep this week. “Emailing the client now.”

“You’re the best.”

We’ve been putting out fires with a trio of influencers hired to promote the Carmichael Holdings brand. One of them got testy about photo usage rights, while the other demanded a higher talent fee than the others. Nina’s been working behind-the-scenes magic on behalf of my stepsister’s company.

“Thanks again, Neen.” I peer out my window at the first rays of sunrise sprinkling light on the sea. “You feel good about things now?”

“Once I get this revised contract signed, yes. What a bunch of entitled pricks.” Even her chuckle sounds tired. “As soon as it’s buttoned up, I’m letting Josh swoop me away to the coast for our anniversary.”

I take too long responding, distracted by the shirtless man raking sand on the beach. Is that Kit? No, just a guy with a nice body.

“Please don’t worry,” Nina adds a little too quickly. “I’m taking my laptop, and I’ll keep my phone on 24/7.”

“You’ve earned a break, Nina. Take it.” I love how devoted she is. “Have Leslie fill in for the next few days.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely.” Our senior partner can take it from here. “You and Josh need time to yourselves.”

“Thanks.” She lowers her voice like she does when she shifts out of business mode. “We’ve invited the twins to join us. You remember them, right?”

“Ah, yes.” Once, at a barbecue hosted by Nina and Josh, I met the two men who indulged her twin-centric sex fantasy. Her now-husband, Josh, set it up to tick that particular fantasy off Nina’s sexual bucket list.

“I definitely remember Cade and Brax.”

“I’m sure you do.” Nina laughs with a little more life this time. “Weren’t you guys flirting at one point?”

“A little.” To be honest, I toyed with the thought of hooking up with the duo. The twins made it clear they were game. “I’d just started dating Brock at the time. We weren’t exclusive yet, but it seemed like a bad move to screw it up for some frivolous fling.”

“Fair.” Her flat tone suggests that’s not how she sees it. “Any guy who really deserves you will respect what you need in the bedroom.”

“Maybe.” I guess part of that meansmeknowing what I need. A sudden urge to probe her overwhelms me. “How do you do it?”

“Do what?”

I draw a deep breath, praying this isn’t too forward. “Have an open relationship.”

She takes her time answering. “It’s mostly about finding the right person. Someone who’s open and honest and adventurous. Someone whose idea of balance is the same as yours, you know?” She chuckles and I wonder how much negotiating goes into her marriage with Josh. “It means a lot of vulnerable conversations about baggage and trust and connections with others. About what you want out of a long-term partnership, and what you still need from those other connections. There’s constant discussion, which means you need to be good at communicating.”

“That makes sense.” Brock and I always struggled there.

“Eve?” There’s a note of concern in her voice. “Is everything okay? Did something happen at the sex resort?”

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