Page 86 of Twist of Date

“Drastic times call for drastic measures,” I inform her with a smirk. She doesn’t move toward the door, so I stand and cross the space and close it myself. Locking it ’cause I’m a proactive son of a bitch.

“Cole, I said I needed space.” She sighs and continues to her desk, placing her tablet down.

“I gave you space,” I say, returning to my spot on the couch.

“I need more.” She stays put behind her desk but doesn’t sit.

I make myself comfortable and tell her, “You’ve used up the allotted time for space.”

“Cole.”

“Lays.” I smile at her.

She huffs out a breath and I fight to keep my grin contained. She’s so damn cute when she gets pissy with me.

“Come sit over here with me.” I pat the spot next to me suggestively.

Letting out a humorous laugh, she walks the short distance to the lounging space she’s created in her office and eyes me as she sits on the gray armchair.

“Very mature of you, Lays,” I say as evenly as possible.

She rolls her eyes and I’m wondering just how long she’s going to keep this icy wall up. But then her gaze catches on the Sweet Wave treats and her face turns skeptical.

“What’s that?” She points to the items in question.

“Oh, just an iced mocha and a snickers cupcake from downstairs.”

“For me?” she asks even though she knows they are.

“Of course.” I lean forward and nudge the cup toward her. “Go on. Here, kitty, kitty,” I say teasingly.

She snorts and I see her bite the inside of her cheek to keep herself from smiling. But she leans forward and snags the cup. I give her a second to enjoy the first sip of sweetness.

“We need to talk, Lays.”

She sighs and sags back into her chair. “About what exactly?”

“What happened at Ruth’s. Us. Our future. All of it.”

“What happened at Ruth’s was horrible and I still can’t believe it happened.”

“Yeah, but it did, and it was kinda hot, yeah?” I smirk and she glares at me.

“Hot or not, it was the most embarrassing moment of my life. If you’re only here to dismiss the fact that we completely imploded my professional standing, then you can see yourself to the door.”

All right, I need to clearly cut the bullshit.

“You’re right, I’m sorry,” I say slowly.

“There’s a start.” She clips then takes another drink.

“Look, I went about this all the wrong way,” I tell her.

“Went about what, exactly?” she asks.

I scoot across the couch, my knees angling toward her so I’m not that far from her now. “I shouldn’t have let you risk the integrity of your business for sex.”

Her brows hit her hairline, clearly not expecting this.

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