Page 51 of Release Me

Jean grins. “Feel like a walk to the lobby?”

“My legs could use a stretch.” I lock my computer and grab my lunch bag.

“They’re sayingit’s going to be one of the nicest Wolf locations in the world,” Dana gushes. The towering, lithe brunette is a popular concierge. There’s usually a circle of businessmen hovering around her desk when she’s on shift.

“That’s what I keep hearing too,” Jean says. “Plane rides and tours to see grizzly bears. And the scenery alone, with all the mountains and lakes and wilderness!”

I’ve seen the brochure. It’s going to be an incredible place.Had I not been in school, I would have considered applying. Then again, I don’t know if I could handle the living conditions. “The staff are all in cabins. Like six people to each or something like that.”

Dana and Jean both look at me with blank expressions.

“Absolutelynoprivacy?”

“Oh, yeah,” Jean agrees. “I don’t know how Connor and Ronan are going to handle that.”

“Something tells me they won’t care one way or another,” I answer dryly. Ronan might be keeping his pants on while he’s messing around with me, but he leaves for Alaska on Saturday morning, and tomorrow’s the party. My fun time is coming to an end.

A prickle of jealousy sparks in my chest. I quickly chase it away. I don’t want to date Ronan. It’s just … I guess I don’t want to think about him with someone else either. Not yet. I’ve selfishly enjoyed him too much. I’ve barely thought of David.

That Connor hasn’t caught us yet is mind-boggling. I’m beginning to question how he functions at the basics in life.

“You know, you’re going to miss them when they’re gone,” Jean says.

“I know,” I admit with reluctance. I’ll even miss my big, dumb brother. But it’s also for the best, because I can’t concentrate on anything when Ronan’s around. I’m going to fail my exams if I can’t clear my head.

“Oh, speaking of those two, guess what happened!” Dana’s chocolate eyes twinkle with juicy gossip. “The front desk girls went out last weekend, and the guys were there. Apparently, Eliza hit on Ronan.”

My stomach clenches with dread.

“And?” Jean pushes, asking the question I can’t.

“And he turned her down. Basically called her out for messing around with David behind Ryan’s back.”

A mixture of relief and adoration for the guy swells inside me. Despite our sordid relationship, he is actually a real friend.

“See?” Jean elbows me. “You should have hooked up with him!”

I did,at least twenty times,in every position you could imagine—many I never imagined. I bite my tongue against the urge to say it, especially now that I know Eliza had her sights set on him. My vindictive side wants it to get back to her.

“Anyway, from what I heard, Eliza and David are over.” Dana looks at me when she says this, as if gauging my reaction to the news.

“Idon’t want him back,” I blurt, and the moment the words are out there, I know them to be true. There’s not an inkling of “what if” stirring. An invisible weight lifts with that comprehension.

“There he is!” Dana suddenly hisses, derailing all talk of David and Ronan.

The three of us—and pretty much every other female in the lobby—zone in on the five-man conglomerate that strides out of the elevator, heading for us.

Speaking of not being able to concentrate …

I’m not one to openly fawn, and yet there’s no ignoring Henry Wolf. Not his piercing blue gaze, or his sharp, angular features, or his dark, thick hair, styled in sexy waves. I watch the way his fit body moves smoothly, how his tailored suit falls perfectly with each step as he approaches, preoccupied with conversation.

I’m mesmerized.

“What’s with the beard?” Jean whispers. “Is he going lumberjack for Alaska?”

Dana giggles. “I heard he’s going to be up there a lot. The hotel is his pet project.”

Henry Wolf’s eyes slide over Jean and me before moving on to Dana. My face instantly flushes.

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