Page 98 of Puck Yes

In French.

Then he whispers something else in my ear in that language, and it feels like he’s saying,I’m so glad you’re here.

Me too.

* * *

But in the morning, something nags at me. Something that’s been nagging at me since I saw Xander and Simone a few days ago. I try to shake the irritating feeling as I research a post for Birdie. But soon it’s an incessant drumbeat and I can’t let it go.

38

ONE OF THE GUYS

Stefan

Old-fashioned perfume tickles my nose. Soft, delicate music plays overhead. Ladies shuffle by. That’s a department store for you.

When the helpful sales clerk holding a black gift bag strides over to Hayes and me, she flashes a congenial smile. “Here you go, sir.”

“Thank you very much,” I say, taking the bag.

“Appreciate it,” Hayes adds.

Our next stop is the arena, even though it’s a day off. As we walk inside the building, I dangle the bag in front of my friend. “Now, can you handle giving this to the boss, or do you need to leave it to the adult in charge?”

“I think I can manage,” he says.

Arching a dubious brow, I yank the bag away when he reaches for it. “Let’s see. What happened the last time you saw her? Oh, I remember. Your brain froze so you said you were still married, since that made it easier to go to a golf tournament.”

Hayes huffs.

“Yes, growl at me. That bothers me so much,” I say as we turn the corner to the hallway that leads to the executive suite. “I mean, we could let you try giving it to her and hope that if she, for instance, invites you to dinner, you don’t saygreat, I just bought a restaurant.”

He claps my shoulder. “No worries, bro. If she does, I’ll say yours is mine. Since, well, we do share.”

“Yes. Yes, we do,” I say.

There are other things I want to share with him, but now’s not the time to marinate on my wishes. It’s time to help our girl. She mentioned she needed to pick something up for Jessie, so I insisted she let us do it. She still needs to take it easy.

A few seconds later, I’m knocking on the door to the executive suite. Jessie’s assistant answers, but Jessie’s right there next to him. “What brings you both here?”

I don’t think I’ve ever come to her office before. There’s been no need. “Ivy asked us to bring this to you,” I say, offering her the gift.

She blinks. I’ve surprised the owner. I’m well aware that I’m not the public husband. But I’m doing this with Hayes, anyway, because I want to.Wewant to.

“Thank you,” Jessie says, then peeks inside. Instantly, her eyes sparkle. “Oh, yes! Tell herthank you very much.”

“We will,” Hayes says.

“There’s a card too,” I add. Ivy handed me the envelope this morning. No idea what it says, of course, since it’s sealed.

Jessie peers inside. “Excellent. And see you at the golf tournament next weekend. Both of you. Also, keep winning. I like winning.”

“I do too, Ms. Rose,” Hayes says.

Jessie gives us one more curious look, like she’s trying to puzzle out if there’s a reason we’re both here, other than us being friends.

But I don’t drop any more breadcrumbs. I’m not worried about how she’d handle it. Jessie took Ryker, Trina, and Chase out to dinner when their throuple became public a couple seasons ago. She’s an outspoken proponent of loving who you want. I’m not worried she’d have any issues with us.

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