“Well, is she here? Introduce us,” Mom says.
For a second I wonder if Zane put her up to it, but then I remember this is my mom we’re talking about. Looking over my shoulder, Berklee smiles, and that has an oddly calming effect on me. Stepping aside, I motion for them to enter her office. “Mom, Dad, this is Berklee. Berklee, these are my parents, Dan and Sarah Ledger.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Berklee stands and walks to my parents, shaking their hands.
“You too, dear. If you need help keeping these two in line, you just give me a call,” Mom tells her. Dad throws his head back in laughter.
Berklee grins. “I might just take you up on that. Although, Crew is my boss.”
Mom waves her hand in the air. “Behind every man is a good woman.”
“That there is,” Dad says, placing his arm around Mom’s shoulders and pulling her to him.
I chance a look at Berklee and see she’s watching them with a soft smile.
“So, how long has it been?” Zane whispers so only I can hear him.
Berklee and my parents are now looking at the view of the club below. “What are you talking about?” I ask him, my voice low.
“Since you’ve introduced your girl to your parents?” he asks.
“She’s not mine,” I growl.
“Really? Then why are you all growly and shit?” Zane counters.
Fuck me. “Drop it.”
He chuckles under his breath. “I’m not blind, man. You’ve been a mess since the day you walked in and saw her here.”
“I said to fucking drop it.”
“Where’s your office?” Mom asks, ending our private conversation.
“This way,” I say, calmer than what I feel inside. I shoulder past Zane, who has a shit-eating grin on his face, and lead my parents down the hall and into my office. Mom gives me suggestions for where to hang my gift and I happen to agree with her. We sit and talk, Mom catching me up on what’s been going on in their lives. Dad’s just listening to her yammer on. A knock at the door interrupts us.
“Sorry to intrude, but I’m going to order some lunch. Do you all want anything?” Berklee asks.
“Oh no, dear, we need to get going. Thank you.” Mom stands and walks to where Berklee is standing, then wraps her in a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here to take care of them.”
Berklee doesn’t seem bothered. She just hugs her back.
“Son, I’m proud of you,” Dad says, standing. “You’ve done well.”
I round the desk and give him a hug, Mom waiting for hers when we pull away. “Drive safe,” I tell them. “I’ll walk you out.”
Dad waves me off. “No need, we can manage.”
Another quick goodbye to Berklee and they’re out the door. I quirk my finger and motion for Berklee to come closer. She stops just a few inches away from me, her blue eyes sparkling.
We’re both quiet, staring into each other’s eyes as we listen to Mom and Dad say goodbye to Zane. “I’ll walk down with you,” I hear him say loudly, I’m sure for our benefit.
As their voices grow softer, I reach out and place my hands on her hips, bringing her closer, her body aligned with mine.
“One taste and I’m addicted,” I say before leaning in and kissing her.
“Crew,” she murmurs against my lips.
“Hmm?” I say, continuing to kiss her.
“Food.” She laughs.
Pulling back, I rest my forehead against hers. “Right. Let’s get you fed,” I say once my breathing returns to normal. I can’t remember a time I was breathless after a kiss.
“Incoming!” Zane yells.
Berklee takes three big steps away from me and I want to scold her for it. Instead, I bite my tongue.
Once Zane steps in the room, Berklee holds up the menu that’s clutched in her hands. “You want something?”
“Hell yes! I’m starving.” Zane takes the menu from her. “I want a mushroom hoagie.”
“Crew?” her sweet voice asks.
“What are you getting?”
She bites her bottom lip and takes the menu back from Zane. “I was just thinking about pizza,” she says, not looking up.
“That’s fine with me. I’ll eat anything, so get whatever you want on it. Use your company card.”
She nods and walks out the door, not once looking at me. I know this because I watch her go. I don’t pull my eyes from the door until I can no longer see her.
Zane bursts out laughing and I scowl at him. I have to have her. This crazy attraction—addiction—I have is not going to simmer until I do.
TODAY HAS BEEN . . . thrilling and overwhelming, to say the least. After lunch it was all business, as Crew’s phone rang off the hook. No more chances for stolen kisses, but that’s okay. I need to start this with slow doses of him, pace myself so I don’t let him consume me. I need to keep all emotions detached and just . . . feel.
Looking at the time, I save the file I’m working on and shut down my laptop. Grabbing my phone, I text Maggie.
Me: Heading home now.
Maggie: K. Eat at the game?
Me: Perfect.
I finish closing up and step out into the hall. Crew is still on the phone, something about workers’ comp from what I can tell. I decide not to bother him and make my way to Zane’s office.
“Hey, I’m heading out. Maggie and I are going to the game tonight.”
“Another home game?” he asks.
“Yeah, we like to make it to as many as we can.” I point over my shoulder. “Will you tell Crew? He’s still on the phone and I don’t want to interrupt him.”
“He won’t mind.” Zane grins.
I roll my eyes. “Night, Zane. Have a great weekend.”
“Later, Berk!”
He called me out earlier today—well, if you consider teasing me calling me out. He gave me a hard time, then proceeded to tell me that his best friend is a great guy.
“How was your day, dear?” Maggie asks when I walk through the door. I can’t help but laugh at her.
“Great.” I grin.
“Wait. I know that grin. Tell me everything,” she says, clapping in excitement.
“Let me get ready to go.”
“Ten minutes,” she calls after me. “Oh, and I grabbed us each one of Barry’s Garrison High hoodies!”
“Thank you,” I reply, stripping out of my skirt. I put on a pair of worn jeans and my Garrison Football T-shirt, pull my hair up into a loose ponytail and grab my tennis shoes. “Ready,” I say, plopping down on the couch to put my shoes on.
“Spill,” Maggie demands, tossing the sweatshirt at me.
“The sexual tension is off the charts, Mags. We decided we can’t fight it anymore.”
“And?”
“And I might have suggested we have a . . . benefits-only arrangement. We’re going to be spending a lot of time together, so it’s convenient.”
“Berklee!” Maggie scolds.
“Think about it. It could work. He’s hot as hell, and I’ve never felt this kind of attraction before. I swear, Mags, it’s electric. I feel like I’ve been shocked every damn time he touches me.”