Page 47 of Deal with Mr. Cruel

“Hmm, let’s see. A successful festival. An engagementanda marriage.”

“I’ve been busy.” Mae smiled.

“Too busy. I want you to soak it in a bit.”

“Thank you, Braydon.” She stood from her desk and walked over to him. He gave her a big bear hug. Even though he was her boss, he had become a father figure to her over the years. As much as he relied on her, maybe too much at times, he always had her well-being in mind.

“Now, before I lend you to Jonas, I do need you to go through the list of games and come up with a schedule for me,” Braydon said, pulling out his phone.

Mae nodded as she sat down and opened up her laptop. For the next two hours, they went through all the games in the country and came up with an itinerary. It was a lot of work going through flights and hotels, but she was happy for it. It kept her mind off of Jonas and how complicated everything was about to get.

When she left the office that evening, she decided to walk back to Jonas’s. She was in no rush to be near him, not with feelings around every corner. She window-shopped along the way and popped into her favorite corner market to peruse the wine. She chose a nice bottle of Merlot and finally walked the block home. Jonas’s home.

When she walked into the condo, Jonas was on the couch scrolling on his phone. He wore a baggy team sweatshirt and black sweats. He looked good in anything and it frustrated her. It also frustrated her that he had been home every day by 5:30. He had taken his self-challenge seriously, and she regretted making it an issue.

“You’ve proven your point,” she said pointedly.

He looked up from his phone and raised an eyebrow questioningly.

“You don’t live and breathe work. I get it.” She waved her finger in the air in a small, sarcastic celebration.

Jonas let out a laugh. “What, you’re sick of me already? It hasn’t even been a full week.”

“I’m just saying, with the festival, I would understand you staying late.” She shrugged.

“It almost sounds like you’re trying to get rid of me.”

Mae didn’t respond and headed to the kitchen to set her market bag down. She felt Jonas following behind her. She let out a breath and ignored him as he sidled up next to her. She inhaled his bodywash. It matched his cologne, which had lingered on her body since that night together.

“What did you get at the market?” he asked, taking a peek inside the bag.

“Just some wine and a few little groceries.” She began to unpack.

He started to help her put things away, but she stopped him. “You don’t have to do that.” She shook her head.

He stopped short in the middle of the kitchen, holding a carton of bruschetta. He gave her a curious look as he placed it back on the counter.

“Is this about Braydon?” he asked.

“What? That he’slendingme to you?”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“Did you put the idea in his head?” she asked, sharper than she intended.

“No…” said Jonas hesitantly. “He came up with it all on his own. Although, I could use the help. You really saved my ass today with Richie’s.”

Mae nodded and continued putting the groceries away. After, she walked to the bar with her bottle of wine and pulled down a stemless glass from the shelf. She poured herself a generous serving and took a sip, closing her eyes. With her eyes still closed, she felt Jonas come up behind her. She wanted nothing more than to lean back and feel the warmth of his body, but she also wanted nothing more than to distance herself. She was torn.

“Mae,” he whispered.

“Hmm?” She didn’t turn around.

“Did I do something wrong?” he asked softly.

Why was he being so nice? It frustrated her. She turned around to face him.

“Why do you do that?” she asked sharply.

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