Page 61 of The Opposite of Romance
“I guess you’re right.”
“Oh, Sadie-Sades. After thirty-two years, you still haven’t learned I’m always right.”
This time, I’m the one to chuckle.
I guess what happened isn’t the end of the world. And it was hot. The hottest experience of my life, by far. Lived or written. And I’ve written some dirty things.
I just need to apologize to him on Monday, if he even shows up, and pray that he’s still willing to finish my deck.
Chapter Twenty-Three
He arrivesthe same time he always does, carrying some shit from his van to the backyard. As soon as I see him, nerves start up in my stomach. Something happens a little lower, too. I guess some of my body parts are only remembering the good parts, not the part where I felt shame and guilt afterwards.
With a long sip of coffee and a deep breath, I steel myself for the conversation that needs to happen. This time, I put on a real bra, unwilling to risk the nipple uprising that typically happens when he’s around.
And good thing I did because his biceps are flexing as I exit the house, making the little traitors rebel. I’m carrying another coffee in my hand, a peace offering.
“Hhm,” I clear my throat. “Do you have a second?”
“Yeah, sure.” His eyes have that gleam in them, the one I find hard to resist.
“Look, I’m sorry…” I say, but he waves me off.
“Don’t worry. You got scared. I get it.”
My brows furrow as I finish what I wanted to say, “What happened was a mistake. One that can’t happen again.”
His expression changes in a second. Instead of a playful smirk, his lips press tight into a grimace.
“You’re my employee. It was a horrible idea,” I continue. His eyebrows rise slightly, and his head dips, but the tight-lipped smile he’s wearing doesn’t look agreeable. “Right?” All the courage I gained from that one deep breath is leaking out.
“Yup.” He pops the p. “Sure thing, boss.” He does a fake salute and turns around to his workstation.Theworkstation.
I stand there dumbfounded for a few seconds before gathering my wits to head back inside. That was … rude. And why the sudden mood shift?
He almost looked disappointed when he realized what I was apologizing for. What did he think when I first came outside?
He has to know this is the right decision. Maybe it’s easy for him to think with his dick. He’s carefree and uncommitted, but I’m a parent. I can’t afford any complications with my fling.
Sitting my ass down in my office chair, I pull up the manuscript, determined to focus on writing. And the words flow right out. Whether it’s dirty scenes, pure tension, or drama, everything comes natural today. I have no trouble identifying with a character overcome with lust, nor a character wanting something but knowing they shouldn’t have it. I’m nearing the end of the first draft, and even with all the writer blocks I had while writing it, I feel like it has a ton of potential.
My phone vibrates while I’m rereading what I wrote today.
Abby.
My lips curl with a smile because, finally, I don’t have to lie to her about meeting my writing goals.
“H-hi, Sadie.” Her voice is nervous as usual. She never knows what’s she’s going to get with me.
“Hi, Abbs.” Hopefully, she can hear my smile through the phone. I don’t want her to be afraid of me.
“I wanted to check how you’re doing. And give you the weekly update.”
“Matter of fact, I’m doing great. I’m keeping up with myword count and everything’s going according to plan.” I’m still a couple thousand words behind, but that’s nothing, and judging by her relieved sigh, she needed to hear everything was ok.
“Good. I’m glad to hear that. So…” she starts off, listing everything she did as my PA the previous week. Most of it, I don’t care about. Sandy wouldn’t bother me with 90% of it. But Abby isn’t my sister, so she feels the duty to let me know all about it. “…and last, but not least, you’ve been nominated for the Best Reads Romance Book of the Year,” she says on an excited squeal.
“What? Which book?” Sandy would have led with that.
