Page 84 of The Playboy

Not now. Not after all of this.

“It would be one thing if, all of a sudden, you started sleeping with your boss after you got the job, but that’s not the case here at all,” Jesse said. “You’re going into the interview with an established connection to him. That’s a totally different scenario.”

I understood that point. I could almost accept it.

But there was just so much happening, and that was one of many, many points.

“The only downside that I can see is if you decide you don’t want to be with him after you take the job,” Clem said. “Things could get a little sticky.”

“Yes, that.” I exhaled.

“But if that did go down, you’re both adults, and you’d handle it,” Jesse offered. “Besides, from the way you’re describing him, I highly doubt you’re not going to want to be with him.”

“It could happen though, Jess,” I whispered.

“Plus,” Jesse continued as though ignoring me, “while you’re employed at Spade, you’re going to be soaking in every second of the experience. If you did have to change employers, the time you spent there would open tons of doors, and you’d be walking into a new company in no time.”

Another solid point.

But there was the distance, the relocation.

My voice turned quiet as I said, “You two haven’t said anything about the LA part.”

Clem looked at Jesse before she said, “Because we knew it was going to happen.” She then directed her gaze at me. “We’ve talked about it many times between the two of us.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Jess and I had a feeling that once you graduated, you were going to find a job on either The Big Island or somewhere on the mainland. So, to us, this conversation isn’t coming as a surprise.” A smile grew across her face. “We’re so proud of you, Brooklyn. You’ve worked extremely hard to get to where you are, and we’ve watched you become this outstanding woman. We knew you were going to go off and do amazing things, and now, our dreams of watching this happen are finally going to come true.”

“We’re going to miss you like hell,” Jesse said softly. “And it does suck that you’ll be leaving us—we hate the thought of it—but wherever you are, you’ll only be a plane ride away. And we’ll be coming to visit all the time.”

“Are you sure you really want to go?” Clem asked with puppy-dog eyes. “Don’t answer that. It’s just my heart having a hard time with even the idea of you not being with us.”

The emotion that had been rising was now filling my eyes, a knot wedging into my throat. “I love you guys. So much.”

“Girl, we have nothing but love for you,” Jesse said.

“And we love you more.” Clem’s voice lightened. “Don’t stress about Macon. Just have fun with him. Enjoy him. Learn everything you can about him. And see what the future holds—with him and with the interview. Who knows what’s going to happen when you see his company up close? But don’t shut yourself off to the possibility of being with him and simultaneously accepting a job offer.”

“Clem’s right,” Jesse voiced. “And Macon’s right too—both he and the hotel stuff can happen at the same time. It doesn’t have to be one or the other. And just imagine, you could end up falling in love with both. Girl, that’s swoon central right there.”

I was overwhelmed—with this conversation, with the possibilities, with the future.

With the way my body had felt and still did after his kiss in the parking lot.

I downed the rest of the vodka and set the empty glass on the floor beside my bed. “That’s all I’ve got for you girls, and now, I have about an hour’s worth of homework to do before I can go to sleep. The longer I put it off, the faster tomorrow morning is going to come.”

Jesse nodded toward my desk, where my computer was sitting. “Go get your work done. We’re going to bed anyway.”

I gave them a small smile, and I brought my glass into the kitchen, seeing my purse on the counter, not even remembering I’d placed it there. I draped it over my shoulder and took a seat at my desk, removing my phone before I turned on my computer.

Within my notifications was a text from a number that wasn’t saved in my Contacts.

I swiped the screen and began to read.

Unknown

I hope you’re still wet … and I hope you’re still thinking about me.

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