Page 49 of Boss Level

“It’s true. I’m known for my bouts of hilarity.” The way Judith delivered the line would’ve made a flat plane jealous. “But seriously, we were married so long ago, there’s no animosity.”

“Very progressive of you.” Dale managed to beat Judith out for static, level delivery.

Claire frowned. “Being friends with an ex is?”

“Who are your companions, Cole?”

I didn’t like the way Dale brushed off Claire’s question, but I was very much looking forward, in a sick, twisted way, to how Cole would answer Dale’s.

“My girlfriend, Luna.” Cole nodded at her.

The way Dale looked her over, his gaze lingering on every curve, pushed away my twisted amusement, making my skin crawl and my fury rise. “Pleasure.”

I was surprised he didn’t hiss on thes.

Claire scowled, Judith pursed her lips, and Cole wrapped an arm around Luna’s waist, pulling her closer.

Graham took Luna’s other hand, tangling their fingers together.

“And our boyfriend, Graham,” Cole said.

I almost fist bumped, especially at Dale’s shock. Should I be more upset at how messy this was getting?

“Progressive.” Was Claire mimicking Dale on purpose?

Dale clenched his jaw. “Not the word I would’ve used.” He hadn’t had any problem speaking his mind up to this point. What was stopping him now?

Judith held up her left hand back toward Cole and the others, and wiggled her ring finger. “Since you’re here, it’s as good a time as any to let you know—Dominic and I are making things official.”

“Well it’s about time.” Cole didn’t so much as flinch, though Luna raised her eyebrows. “Congrats to both of you.” He clapped me on the shoulder. “Do her better than I did.” He leaned in to give Judith a kiss on the cheek, lingering to whisper something I couldn’t hear.

Luna and Graham offered their congratulations again, and the three were on their way. I almost asked them to stay, to see what would happen, but if I were going to sabotage this entire charade, I could tell Dale the truth about my relationships.

I’m actually committed to an incredible man, who’s put up with keeping our love quiet for years and deserves better.As I thought the words, they pushed to be heard.

I was doing this for Roger. For the firm.

“Dodged a bullet divorcing that one.” Derision dripped from Dale’s voice. At least he waited until Cole was a reasonable distance away.

“I did.” Judith’s tone was more thoughtful.

I was familiar with Judith and Cole’s past. The fact that even the divorce was so long ago that they were friends now. How Xander felt about it all. Her response was for very different reasons than Dale’s. “He’s not all bad. He won your heart at one point.” I squeezed her hand gently.

“But he’s a disgusting deviant,” Dale said.

So much for subtlety. I swore I heard Judith thinkingyou have no idea, but with amusement and affection instead of disgust. The twitch of one corner of her mouth reinforced my assumption.

“The church used to practice polygamy.” Claire’s voice was soft, and she clamped her jaw shut with a frown when Dale looked at her.

His scowl deepened. “Do you want me to take another wife?”

“Can we introduce her asour girlfriend?”

At Claire’s question, Dale clenched his fist.

And this was where the train crash I’d been waiting for happened, but not at all in the way I expected.

She cast her gaze toward her lap. “I’m sorry. It was a joke. A bad joke.”

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