After she was out of sight, I walked back into the hotel. “Bertie, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone Marjorie and I were here today.”
“You weren’t here today. We’re full.”
“You know what I mean.”
“I’m not a gossip, Bryce.”
I had to hold back an eye roll. “Please. It’s important. We were going to have a business meeting. That’s all. I’m working at the ranch now.”
“I know.” She smiled. “We all know. We think it’s wonderful what the Steels are doing for your family.”
“What do you mean?”
“You know. Taking you in as they have.”
“Taking me in? I’m working for them, Bertie. I’m their new CFO.”
“Of course you are. And it’s wonderful for your mother and your little boy.”
I pounded my fist on the desk, making Bertie jolt, and then I turned and walked out. The whole town thought the Simpsons were a fucking charity case. That was great. Just great.
Now what? I didn’t have errands. I could go home and spend time with my son. And I would. After I made one stop.
My feet, of their own accord, took me to the gym. I wasn’t a member, but we were a small town. Anyone could use the gym on a daily basis for a fee. I didn’t have any workout clothes with me, but I wasn’t exactly thinking clearly.
“Bryce,” Todd, the guy working the front desk, said. “What’s up?”
“Not much. Thinking about doing some training. You have a list of the trainers I could look at?”
“Sure.” He pulled a flyer off a shelf. “Knock yourself out.”
I quickly scanned the sheet of paper. No Dominic James. That didn’t bode well. “I’m looking for some specific training. I heard you have a guy named Dominic who’s really good.”
“Dominic?”
“Yeah, Dominic James?”
“Doesn’t ring a bell with me, but there is a new guy who started recently. We haven’t updated our flyers in a while.”
“Could you get me his number?”
“Why don’t you just go upstairs to the office? You can talk to whoever you want.”
“Perfect. Thanks, Todd.”
Chapter Fourteen
Marjorie
Damn him. Damn Bryce Simpson.
It had taken everything in me not to respond to that kiss in the street.
Everything.
I’d wanted to open, feel his tongue against mine, taste him, lean into him and let my hard nipples scrape against his chest.
Then I remembered his words. The words that had shattered me to my core and led me to almost do something I’d have instantly regretted.