We kiss again, then I watch as she disappears around the corner. I smile as I close the door. It was an exceptional night. I wander back down to the living room and pick up my phone, which I find on the floor under the kitchen table. I catch sight of an unread message, so I open it.
Josh: Second suit fitting this weekend sometime? Let me know when suits. (See? Still got the humor).
I smile in spite of myself, but my amusement quickly dissipates when I remember what it’s for and who I’ve told my brother my plus one will be. I’m not sure how to handle this. I want to come right out and tell her that we’ve been invited to my brother’s wedding, but delving into the truth feels like a whole lot of baggage she might not be ready for. The last thing I want to do is scare her off.
But the other side of this is that I’ve told Josh she’s coming to the wedding so I can’t turn up without her. As stupid as it sounds, I need to show both of him and Casey that I’ve moved on. I want them to be in awe of me, not pity me.
I’ll just see how things go. There’s no point in telling her when I don’t even know what this is. She’s still my assistant. Taking her away for a function isn’t beyond reasonable.
At least, that’s what I’m telling myself.Chapter Eleven
Alana
Chase: Wear that white shirt of yours that’s a little bit see through. Even though I can’t touch, I like to look.
I roll over, unable to wipe the smile off my face. It’s been a permanent fixture for the last two weeks, pretty much from when the Chase and me thing started happening. It feels like we’ve been seeing each other for so much longer than that. I have to pinch myself just so I know I’m not dreaming. I’m sure I’m going to wake up and realize the only real thing was me arriving on his balcony.
I don’t know how, but we’ve managed to keep things mostly professional while we’re at work for an entire week. I’m impressed that he’s been so good at respecting what I want—with one or two slip ups along the way.
It’s Tuesday morning and after spending the night at Chase’s, I arrive to work early. I walk inside and over to the elevators, getting there at the exact same time that Peyton does. She smiles at me and then glances away. I shift on my feet as I wait for the doors to open. It takes forever, leaving us in the middle of an awkward silence that neither of us seems to know how to fill.
“I miss you,” she finally says, frowning at me.
“I miss you too,” I whisper.
My heart races, because I’ve been dying to tell her about Chase, but I just didn’t feel like I could go to her like I used to. The old me would’ve been on the phone to her the moment I left his house, but the reality is, we haven’t spoken properly in weeks.
“You moved on with my replacement.” I say the word like it's dirty. She laughs and shakes her head.
“What? Are you kidding me? No way, Lanna! I mean she's nice and all that, but she's no you,” she says, a dopey grin on her face.
“Then why do you stop talking every time I walk into the room?” I ask, frowning.
“That's not me, it's her,” Peyton exclaims. “Think about it from her perspective. She's new here, and you’re her boss. I think she's just afraid that you’re going to yell at her or something. I just shut up out of politeness.”
I frown. I guess that kind of makes sense.
“Come here,” Peyton says, throwing her arms around me. I hug my friend, glad to have her back. “How about we catch up?”
“Shopping after work tomorrow?” I suggest with a smile. I know she won’t say no to that and it’s something we used to do a lot. “I’ve got something to tell you.”
Peyton's eyes widen “And unless the news is you’re boning Chase, I don’t want to hear it.” Her eyes widen. “Why are you blushing? Alana?” She gasps and throws her arms around me.
“Shh,” I say, laughing. “I’ll tell you everything, but not now.”
“Then when?” she demands.
“Tomorrow?” I suggest. “Shopping, like we used to?”
She squeals and nods. “You’re on.”Chase calls me into the office the moment I sit down at my desk. I glance down at my shirt and smirk, then undo the top button. Just because I want to keep things professional doesn’t mean I don’t like teasing him. I knock gently on his door before walking in. He looks up, smiling when he sees it’s me.
“You got my message, I see,” he mutters approvingly.