ANYA

Just then my phone chimes. Everyone looks at me.

“Sorry. I thought I put it on silent.” I take my phone out and click the volume button on the side furiously.

“That sounds like the GlowUp notification. Are you using the app?” Mya asks excitedly. “Have you experienced any issues so far?”

The table jolts when Law stands suddenly. Mya watches mutely as he walks out. Right. Because that wasn’t obvious at all.

As soon as we’re done, I practically run toward my office. Down the hall, I see Law waiting outside the door so I duck into the ladies bathroom.

A second later, a text pops up on my phone.

James Lawson: Now you’re hiding in the bathroom to avoid me?

Should I respond or pretend I don’t see this? Before I can answer, a new calendar notification pops up. Law has set up a meeting for us marked Urgent.  

James Lawson : Unless you’re willing to ignore your next payday, I expect to see you in my office.

His office is at the other end of the hall from mine so I take my sweet time getting there. By the time I arrive, I’m halfway through eating a donut from the breakroom.

“Nice of you to show up to do your job today,” Law grumbles as I sit in the chair in front of his desk.

“Just participating in a little office socialization. Donuts do a lot for morale.”

“Noted. Can we work, please? We need to go over the office budget for next year.”

Okay now I feel a little guilty that I wasted time getting here when he’s actually got work that needs to be done. Maybe he’s not the only one having trouble keeping our personal life out of the office.

For the next half hour, he talks and I take notes. After working together for so long, we have a good rhythm and we finish the new budget and a few client pitch drafts. We take a break and Law rests his head on the back of his office chair.

“So you’re using GlowUp?” he asks in a deceptively soft voice. “What happened to your new boyfriend?”

“Nothing happened to him. He is a very nice man but I am keeping my options open. Maybe I’ll get lucky and find someone who wants the same things.”

“What you want doesn’t exist.” He still isn’t looking at me.

“Honesty definitely exists. Loyalty is a little harder to find.”

“If that’s what you want then you’re walking the wrong way.”

“You’ll have to excuse me if I want to investigate that for myself. Men aren’t the best at directions. Besides that’s not all I want.”

His eyes fix on mine, the intensity enough to take my breath away. “You want late night conversations where you feel free to say anything. Evenings wrapped around a man who doesn’t want to be anywhere but where you are. You want adventure and excitement, safety and comfort, and everything in between. Most of all you want to know you can let go and someone will catch you.”

My heart bangs against my ribs. It feels like a warning.

It’s not just the husky tone of his voice as he spells out the secret wishes of my heart that break me. It’s the look in his eyes, like he’s aware that he’s the only man who has ever come close to giving me that.

“Don’t forget never-ending brunch,” I whisper. “French toast and bacon are a crucial part of my happiness.”

“I haven’t forgotten. Not a single thing.”

My phone screen flashes with a GlowUp notification. I have new matches waiting.

Law sits up in his chair. “Good luck finding Prince Charming.”

Even though it’s tempting, I refuse to rise to his bait. Arguing about the merits of dating is useless and doesn’t solve anything.

While he watches, I tap the app to open it. “I don’t know about Prince Charming but this guy likes surfing and rescue dogs and he’s already asking for a date. I like a man who takes initiative.”

Law walks around the desk. Then he takes the phone out of my hand. His thumb strokes over the screen as he scrolls down and I shiver. He dips his head and his breath brushes against the side of my neck.

“Do you think our friend Clint here will figure out how much you like having your hair pulled?”

My fingers clench around the armrests of the chair. “I’m sure he will eventually. If I decide I like him that much.”

He’s still leaning over me looking at the profile but I’ve forgotten all about poor Clint and his slightly above average biceps. Because all I can focus on is the skin exposed where Law has rolled his sleeves up. He’s not an overly bulky guy but he has always worked out regularly. However, I don’t remember his forearms being this muscular before.

Did I just miss that or is this some sort of sex-withdrawal symptom?

“Let’s hope our friend pays enough attention to notice that your ears are particularly sensitive.”

Involuntarily my eyes close as his lips graze my ear. When I open them his gaze is so incendiary that I’m shocked the entire room hasn’t gone up in flames.

“Law, what are you doing?” I whisper, but I already know what’s about to happen.

“Your neck is all I can think about. All day long when I’m supposed to be thinking about clients, payroll or any number of things, all I can remember is how soft your skin is right below your jaw. How it tastes.”

His hands land on the arms of the chair, caging me in. The heat of his body surrounds me and when I take a deep breath, all I can smell is him.

I’m fighting a losing battle and I know it.