Page 24 of Surprise Me Tonight
My heart lurches, and I can’t find an answer.
“He leaned in,” I admit instead. “He growled and then said… ‘Let me know if you need anything else.’”
Her eyes widen. “Okay?”
“But it wasn’twhathe said. It was how. Right behind me. Quiet. Low. Like—”
“Like he wanted to be the ‘anything.’” She sits back, hands in the air. “I knew it.”
I bury my face in my hands. “This is ridiculous.”
“No. This isdelicious. You’ve got a boss who growls and wants you so much he gets a boner in the office.”
“I’m forty-two.”
“Still hot.”
“He’s thirty-three.”
“So?”
I drop my hands and look at her. “This job matters. I can’t mess it up. And I’m already so far in over my head it’s pathetic.”
Fran’s expression shifts, just slightly. Softer again. “You’re not pathetic. You’re just not used to being wanted.”
I pause. That one hits deeper than it should.
“Maybe,” I say. “But wanting him back is a terrible idea.”
“Is it though?” she says, lifting her glass. “Because from where I’m sitting, it sounds like your first day was the most exciting Tuesday you’ve had in years.”
I stand, grabbing our glasses. “I’m getting us a refill before you start writing fanfiction.”
She grins. “Fine. But don’t think we are done talking about this.”
I walk to the bar, hoping my face cools down before the next round.
The bar’s slow, two people ahead of me waiting for pints, and I’m half-listening to the bartender flirt with someone clearly not interested when a hand clamps down hard on my shoulder and spins me round.
I stumble slightly, steadying myself against the bar.
Jeremy.
His face is flushed — not from drink. From fury.
“Hello to you, too,” I say, trying for calm. My voice comes out thinner than I want.
“What the fuck is this about you not needing my money anymore?” he snaps, low enough not to draw attention, but with that venomous edge I know too bloody well.
I blink. “I—what?”
“My solicitor called me. Said you’ve changed the agreement.Droppedthe support.” He leans in, jaw clenched. “What game are you playing, Stella?”
“I’m not playing any game.”
“Right. So let me get this straight. You’ve landed some miraculous job out of nowhere, have you? What, someone just hiredyou?” He laughs — mean, sharp. “Come on.You’ve been out of work nearly two decades. What the hell do you know about anything anymore?”
I open my mouth. Nothing comes out.
