Page 3 of Click of Fate

The elevator dings, announcing our arrival as the door slides open. Stepping foot into the offices of the HEA building always elicits a sigh of coming home. It’s a thousand percent my best friends, and it feels like being wrapped in a hug. Soft, romantic hues decorate the open-concept floorplan. Plants and floor-to-ceiling windows allow for the perfect amount of light to stream in. While the business mostly employs women, a few men scatter about. Owned and (mostly) operated by women, HEA Inc doesn’t discriminate against who they hire, but there aren’t a lot of men interested in working in matchmaking and wedding planning.

“Layla just got out of a client meeting, so let’s go to her office,” Cassie says to me as I follow her through the maze of semi-private desk spaces.

“Why do I have to make appointments to see you two these days?” I ask her. I’m mostly joking, but it’s become a thing.

Cassie side-eyes me. “You don’t. What are you talking about, boo?”

I snort. “Yes, if want to get both of you in the same place for more than five minutes, I have to make an appointment.”

“Lies.” Her nose scrunches as we near Layla’s office, and I just shake my head.

“Shoes off, ladies,” Layla announces as we step into her space.

Cassie makes a squeak and starts to kick off her heals.

“Excuse me?” I stop in my tracks and stare at my other best friend, who’s sitting cross-legged on her office couch. My eyes dart to the floor where her flats have been kicked off.

“It’s a new rule,” she says matter-of-factly.

“Since when?” My brow arches as I try to asses if this is a joke.

“Since Cole walked through something utterly disgusting on his way over here yesterday, somehow managed to come in the building, up the back stairs, and not have it come off until he walked in here. It got all over my favorite hand-knotted rug. I had to send it out for cleaning.

“It smelled horrible,” Cassie adds.

“The rug?” I question as I lean down and untie my shoes. Normally, I’m a kick ’em off girl, but new shoes get the new shoe treatment for the first few wears.

“Cole’s shoes.” Cassie shivers at the thought.

“If I didn’t love that man, I’d ban him from visiting me at the office,” Layla says as she places her iPad down on the coffee table in front of her.

“Oh, please. It’s got nothing to do with love. It’s the office orgasms. You’d never ban him.” Cassie shakes her head as she plops down onto the yellow vintage wingback chair, sliding one leg underneath her.

Layla gasps and I let out a laugh.

“Excuse me, that’s… that’s private.”

“Sure. We should look in to sound proofing the offices then.” Cassie winks. Obviously not at all upset about hearing Cole and Layla getting it on during the day.

“What? I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Layla shakes her head, fighting a grin. If Cassie is little miss sunshine, then Layla is boss babe baddie. She’s all about being professional, but since getting together with fun-loving Cole, she’s loosened up a bit. Maybe more than a bit. She’s loosed up enough to have office sex—and when her employees are around. “Whatever, Theo visits you. I highly doubt you two are just talking when your door is closed,” Layla quips back.

I sink down on the other end of her couch, enjoying this little spat between my best friends. Gosh, I’ve missed them. I mean, I’ve seen them on the regular since I’ve been here, but nine years of video calls and text messages wasn’t enough.

“Oh, I’ll never deny sexy office time with my man. I’m just a lot quieter than you.” Cassie’s sly smile has Layla’s jaw dropping. I cover my mouth to not bring attention to myself. But it doesn’t matter, Cassie’s super power is including everyone in the conversation.

“What about you, Stella? Any recent sexy encounters?”

I can’t help laughing while I shake my head. “That would be a big, fat negative.”

Cassie pops out her bottom lip. “Booo.”

“It’s been too long. There may be cobwebs,” I add with a sigh. It’s depressing but true. I need to get laid.

Layla cocks her head. “You know?—”

I put up a hand. “Let me stop you right there, girlfriend. Not gonna let you match me to my next lay.”

She audibly gasps. “First of all, I’ve known you long enough to know you would never let me match you, even if I could findyou your one true love. And secondly, I don’t use my skills to set up sex dates. I’m not a gigolo.”

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