Against the Rules
Page 23
I head towards accounting, glad that I’m out of the line of fire. It’s then I remember Kevin and the fact that he knows. He could spread the word and then everyone would know exactly who the mystery girl is. I don’t know what the outcome of something like that might be.
Is it even allowed? Could Finn get in trouble? No, he owns the place. He can’t get himself into trouble. Monica might yell at him, but I’m pretty sure I’d be the one to pay the price if it came down to it.
I knock on the open door. Kevin and two others I don’t know look up at me. “I’m supposed to drop this off.” I hold up the file.
“I’ll take it.” Kevin stands coming around his desk. “Thanks.” I start to turn to go back to my desk but Kevin snags my elbow. “Lunch?”
Damn it. I don’t think I have much of a choice. I had planned to spend lunch in Finn’s office with him and the kittens. I’m still trying to come up with names for them. Not that they are my kittens, but Finn might need suggestions. I guess it will have to wait.
“Sure.”
“Cool.” Kevin drops the folder down on his desk. “Let’s go.” We walk back toward my office with neither one of us saying anything. I’m waiting for it. I’m sure this is why he wants to have lunch.
“I’m going to take my lunch if that’s okay,” I ask Cesar as I pass our desks.
“Yep.” Why couldn’t he have said no? We walk into the lunchroom together. I snag a tray before grabbing a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a strawberry milk. I take my tray over to the table Kevin is sitting at.
“So you and the boss?” Ahh. When he says it like that it sounds so bad.
“Maybe?” It’s an honest answer. I’m not sure what we’re doing really. He wants me in his bed. I’m not sure we’d have anything after that. My heart aches thinking about it being a one-time thing. I couldn’t allow myself to end up in his bed unless I knew we could be more. There is no way that I’ll be able to handle a fling with Finn. I’m already too far gone for him.
“Then what was yesterday? Did you use me to make him jealous?”
“Oh God. I’m so sorry.” I hadn’t thought of it like that. I had been so wrapped up in everything that I hadn’t realized how selfish I was being.
“Don’t be sorry. Do the right thing and don’t sleep with the boss.” I look down at my food. Is that the right thing? It doesn’t feel like it. The way Kevin says it makes me feel bad though. “We could have something, Lucky. We fit. You and Mr. O’Hare not so much.” I understand he’s upset about yesterday, but he doesn’t know me. I want to give him a piece of my mind, but I hold back.
I pick up my sandwich so I don’t have to respond. I don’t know what to say to that. I was a jerk for leading Kevin on, but I want to tell him to mind his own business. Finn is the first man I’ve ever been attracted to. Based on what he said earlier, it is the same for him. That has to mean something.
“Lucky.” I swallow my bite of food. I look up to see Finn. His eyes bounce between Kevin and me. I give him a pleading look not to do anything crazy. We’re in the office. It would only give people another reason to think we shouldn’t be together. “When you’re done with your lunch I need you to come to my office. I need someone to watch the kittens for a couple hours.”
“Yes!” I say way too loudly. “Sorry,” I whisper.
He smiles down at me. “Think of names. We’ll bounce them off each other.” He turns to leave.
I look back to Kevin, who is staring at me. “End it,” he orders. His tone has completely changed. I thought he was nice, but now his true colors are coming out. B.J. says men are nice until they don’t get what they want. Then they turn into assholes. Especially when they hear the word no. “It’s for your own good. Everyone will think you’re the office slut and are trying to sleep your way to the top.” My stomach drops. My eyes sting with tears.
“Thanks for lunch.” I grab my tray to leave.
“Lucky.” I turn around. “You’re a sweet girl. Don’t ruin that.” I drop my food into the trash, putting my tray up. I don’t want to end whatever is happening between Finn and me.
I want him. Maybe I could just have one night with him. One that I can cherish and have forever. I’m not so worried about what people will say about me. I don’t want anyone trying to drag Finn’s name through the mud. If I’ve learned anything in the past twenty-four hours it’s that Finn is a sweet man. He is a little crazy at times, but so am I. We fit. No matter how much I try to deny it. Too bad I can’t make him mine.