His Temporary Assistant

I took the phone and closed my eyes as I moved into the living room.

“Don’t say it,” I said in an undertone.

“Say what? That your boss is all cozied up in your place?”

I’d just ignore her question. “I thought you had a full slate tonight.”

“I had a cancellation. So, guess I’m not the only one playing my cards close to the vest, hmm?”

“I’m not playing any cards—what? What cards are you playing?”

“How good was it?”

“Amazing,” I said before her laughter told me I’d spoken without thinking. But hey, it had been. “PMS, you better not be eavesdropping,” I called over my shoulder without looking in his direction.

I so didn’t want to know.

He hummed a little tune. “Nope. Just looking at the amazing view.”

Luna must’ve heard the ass because she was laughing again. And so was I.

Then I realized I was talking to my best friend on Preston’s phone, not my own. “Wait a second, why did you call him? How did you call him?”

“He called me.”

“What?” I whirled to stare at him, but he was conveniently facing toward the window, hands clasped innocently behind his back. “Why?”

“We, ah, actually texted a bit yesterday. My doing,” she said hastily. “I gave him a hard time. You know, protective bestie. But he called me tonight to ask what kind of date you’d like. Gotta say, Ry, he sounds like the total package.”

Warmth spread through my midsection, and I wrapped an arm around my belly. I was not going to be swayed by him. “He’s a package of something, all right.”

His tune increased in volume.

“And obviously, he’s got some skills, since you’ve got O voice.”

“I do not.”

“You so do. And the first time can be awkward, so that’s a very good sign.”

“Try second,” I whispered.

PMS and his bat hearing heard me just the same, since he added a swivel of his hips to his song.

“Really?” Luna’s screech broke the sound barrier. “You know you’re going to share after your date, right? You better.”

I wasn’t going on any date. I didn’t think.

My stomach growled. Then again, I could eat. If he wanted dinner, we could just eat in the same place.

Not a date. Just like Denny’s hadn’t been a date. Just mutual food consumption.

“You too. I can’t believe you’ve been holding out on me.”

“It wasn’t a thing. Then it maybe could might be.” She let out a breezy laugh. “We’ll see. Just focus on you. Have a good time, okay? Don’t overthink it.”

“Thanks, but too late there.”

I clicked off and returned his phone to him after smacking his upper arm with it. “Why were you texting with my best friend yesterday?”