Page 86 of The Merger
Gannon: How was the office today?
Me: Quiet. Tate wasn’t in either, so I had no friends.
I bite my lip, grinning.
Me: John wanted to make friends, though.
Gannon: No, he didn’t.
Me: Um, yes he did. How would you know? You weren’t there.
Gannon: Because John wasn’t there either.
Oh.
Me: Really?
Gannon: Johnny Boy got sent on a side quest to Kennebunkport, Maine until Monday.
I sort through the day, trying to remember if I saw John or not. I didn’t try to see him. Hell, I forgot he existed until now. But I don’t recall running into him this afternoon.Hmm…
Me: And why was John in Maine?
Gannon: I thought he could use a little time out of the office.
A slow smile slips across my lips.
Me: And that aligned with the dates you are gone, too. What a coincidence.
Gannon: There is no such thing as coincidences.
“What the hell does that mean?” I ask, a flush tinging my cheeks.
I can’t make sense of this information.Did he send John away because he wouldn’t be there and was afraid John would hit on me?That doesn’t make sense. Gannon and I are just fuck buddies.So why would he care?
“Probably just some alpha male pissing contest shit.”
Gannon: What are you doing tomorrow?
Me: My Thursday client canceled. Their whole house is sick with the flu, and most of them are males so you know they’re practically dying. So I’m meeting Tate for lunch and then meeting Courtney to do some shopping. She needs a dress for a wedding, and I told her I’d go help her pick something respectable. Otherwise, homegirl will show up hot but wholly inappropriate.
His response is delayed. After five minutes have passed, I start to consider he might not text me back. I reread my message to see if I’ve offended him, but it seems fine.
“What the hell?”
Finally, his name pops up on the screen.
Gannon: Do you have any plans this weekend?
Me: Who is asking?
Gannon: Me, obviously.
Me: Well, I might be able to make accommodations for you.
Gannon: I’m returning to town on Saturday afternoon, but I need to give a speech at an alumni banquet on Saturday evening.
Me: Does this mean I won’t be sitting on your face this weekend?
