Page 120 of Who's Your Daddy
“All smiley and dopey—” Her eyes widen and she sucks in a hard breath. “Oh my God, tell me you didn’t,” she hisses.
I set the motion exhibits down and turn to face her fully.“Didn’t what?”
Her blue eyes are assessing, full of knowing, as they skate over my face once and then again. “No, no.” She sighs. “You fell in love with the manchild!”
“I…stop,” I whisper-shout, glancing around to make sure no one hears her.
There are definitely a myriad of big feelings trying to burst out of my chest at any given moment, sure, but Cal and I haven’t said those words yet.And the first time I say them will be to his face.
“You totally did.” Her expression goes stony.
“Shhhh.” I swat at her. “Keep your voice down.”
She grasps my wrist, her long French manicured nails biting into my skin as she drags me out of the conference room.
As we leave, I assume she’s taking me out front but before we get to the door she makes a sharp left and forces me into the supply closet. She follows me in with a huff, and when she slams the door, we’re shrouded in a depressing semi-darkness.
Instantly, I flash back to being trappedin here with Cal. It’s a good thing I took charge of having the knob replaced instead of leaving it up to Cal like I did with the exterminator.
“Tell me everything,” she demands, finally releasing me.
I scan the dusty shelves. “Why are we in here?”
“So the guys can’t hear us. We have a problem to address.”
I prop myself up against the counter. “It's so weird how all the big conversations keep happening in here.”
Sloane crosses her arms. “What are you talking about?”
“Never mind.” I shake my head and mimic her stance. “So, what did you drag me in here to talk about?”
“You and Cal.”
That gets my hackles up. I’m sick of defending my relationship to people who are supposed to be my friends.
“Why is my happiness such a problem for you?” I snap.
With a sigh, she backs up, leaning against the shelving unit. “I can see that you’re in the happy stage, but Lo, come on. You’re smart and driven.”
“And?” If she tells me Cal isn’t serious enough for me, or that we aren’t compatible, I might lose it on her.
“You can’t date a man you work with. Yes, the two of you are disgustingly cute, but we both know how easily work relationships can go bad.”
Her response takes the wind out of my sails. She isn’t wrong, per se. Office relationships can be hard to manage. And I’m not prepared to battle this out. I was gearing up to shut her down when I thought she’d tell me Cal wasn’t right for me, and that has left me unprepared for this unexpected argument.
Her lips twitch, like she knows she’s made her point. “You know I’m right. And I have a solution.” She straightens. “Come work with me.Will would take you in a heartbeat.”
I swallow, still putting together a response she’ll accept.
“Lo, let’s be real. I’m not moving in. The firm is going under. It’s time for you to think about your job, your future.”
I sigh. For years, my career was the single most important thing inmy life. I worked hours that left little time for friendships or relationships. Hell, it’s why I have few friends other than Sloane. If she and I hadn’t worked together for years, I can’t imagine we’d be as close as we are.
She cocks a brow, zeroing in on me. “Don’t tank your career for a man. I did it and I’m telling you, it’s not worth it.”
Chapter 43
Cal
