Page 19 of One Night Only
Robbie says nothing, just nods slowly.
With another huff, I flop back against the couch, throwing my hands in the air. “It’s ridiculous. We spent one night together.One. And I literally cannot get her out of my head. I tried. And I thought I was moving on, but then—” I glance at him wearily. “Then she showed up again, and the feelings are back with a vengeance.”
“Okay…” Robbie says again, only this time when I glance at him, I notice a smile he’s trying his hardest to conceal.
“What?” My brows knit together.
He rubs his stubbled chin, eyes furtively moving side to side as if to check for anyone within earshot. Leaning forward, he says, “Don’t get all pissy about it, but Keller told me.”
“Keller?” I rear back, confused as to how the hell Franny even knows. But then I remember yesterday, when I walked into Emily’s office under the guise of trying to see Andy. Franny was there. There was a weird tension hanging in the air and she had this strange, slightly crazed grin on her face. Did Emily tell Fran about what happened between us? I don’t know why, but if she did, then I kind of feel like that might mean something…
“Look, I told Keller to stay out of it,” Robbie continues. “But if I know my girl, it’s likely she’ll go full rogue in spite of what I say.”
I smile because he’s right. Nobody can tell Fran Keller what to do. Least of all Mason. The woman is a five-foot-four powerhouse; hell, I wouldn’t try telling a woman like Fran what to do. She’s adorable as hell but slightly terrifying at the same time.
Robbie continues. “All I’ll say is be careful, man. If Andy finds out, it could cause serious problems. I heard that’s what happened to Paris. Apparently, she hooked up with one of Andy’s clients and suddenly she was gone.”
I’m not going to deny the fact that this is risky. The last thing I want is to be held responsible for Emily losing her job. But what if this is more than just one big coincidence? What if this is it? What if Emily is the one, and us meeting that night was just the prelude? What if we’re meant to be? Surely even Andy would have to accept that, right?
“Look, if you want a wingman, then I guess you can consider Keller your guy. She’s been onto me about playing matchmaker with some of the guys on the team… I just never thought it’d be you,” Robbie says, smirking at me. “Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
I drag a hand down my face, groaning at my own predicament. I am so fucked. But who knows? Maybe with a relentless force like Franny on my side, I might not fuck everything up.
CHAPTER 7
EMILY
My phone shudders on my desk for the third time in five minutes. It’s face down so I can’t see the screen, but I know exactly who it is. He’s been relentless the last few days. Relentless despite my silence. In fact, it’s almost as if he’s been relentless in spite of my silence.
Glancing over my shoulder, Andy’s office door remains closed and I can still hear a distinct murmur of him yelling on the other side—he’s been at it for the last ten or so minutes—so I know he’s occupied. For now.
I pause what I’m doing and pick up my phone, unable to hide my traitorous smile the moment I see three new messages waiting for me.
DO NOT ENGAGE: When I was 7, my best friend was a cow named Donut. But one day, Donut disappeared. When I asked where she went, my dad sat me down and explained to me what he does. Spoiler alert… he’s a rancher. Anyway, I packed my Spiderman backpack and moved into the fort in the big tree we had in our front yard because I refused to live in a house of cow killers. I didn’t even last an hour when I found out Mom made meatloaf for dinner.
I stifle a giggle. His onslaught of messages have varied from little snippets of his life, like this, to his favorite things and his least favorite things, to secret confessions. Do I feel bad for not responding? Yes. Is he getting harder to ignore? Yes. But I know it’s for the best. Surely he’s bound to give up sooner than later, right?
DO NOT ENGAGE: When I was a senior in high school, one of my buddies wanted to take my sister out on a date. She’s three years younger than me, and I’ve always been really protective of her. So, I started a rumor at school and for a whole year my sister was known as the girl who collects her ear wax in a jar.
As I slap a hand over my mouth to laugh, I don’t notice Fran walk into my office until she’s suddenly inches from ear, whispering, “Whatcha laughing at?”
Fumbling my phone, I almost drop it, saving it at the last second and clutching it to my chest. I look up at her to find a telling look in her eyes, a knowing smile curling her lips. I lock the device and place it face down again, focusing on the presentation Andy needs for his three o’clock meeting.
“Dog videos on TikTok,” I lie
She hums in response, obviously not believing me.
“Can I help you with something?” I change the subject, offering her a sweet smile.
She glances at Andy’s closed door, sipping from the straw of her giant water bottle. “I’m having some girlfriends over tonight,” she says. “Just take out, wine, gossip, the usual.” She smiles. “You free?”
Of course I’m free. I grew apart from most of my Staten Island friends when I went off to college. When I moved back to the city, I was already with Luke and, stupidly, I allowed him to become my one and only focus, so I lost touch with most of my college friends. The friends I made when I was with Luke were mostly girlfriends and wives of his friends, so naturally theysided with their partners when Luke and I split. Now, aside from Tess and my parents, I have no one. No social life whatsoever. I know Fran is a lot younger than me, and I assume her girlfriends are too, but a night with women who aren’t Tess and Bron sounds divine.
“Yeah,” I say with a genuine smile, trying to sound casual. “What should I bring?”
Fran holds a hand in the air. “Nothing at all.”
I know it’s so pathetic, but honestly, I could cry. I can’t remember the last time I was invited for a girls’ night. I’m actually so excited I should be embarrassed.
