This is Effortless (Checkmate Duet 4)

I look up at him as he walks in and sets a cup of coffee down on my desk. He doesn’t know what happened, but no one here does except Travis.

“I wish it did,” I say more to myself, and immediately put on a fake smile to change the subject.

Unsure of how to respond, he clears his throat and continues. “I sent you an email last week about the Bradford Corporation. I know you’re busy, but can you move me up the list, pretty please?” He gives me a boyish grin, and I smile back at him with a nod.

“I guess, Jayden. Now stop sucking up!” I tease.

He holds his hands out and takes two steps back with a smile. “I’m not, swear!” He leaves with a wink just as Travis enters and shuts my door.

“If you need to leave, I’m okay with it.” He sits down in the chair in front of my desk.

“As much as you’re a pain in my ass, and it’s a very tempting offer, I need to be here today,” I joke with him and an evil grin crosses his face.

“Good. And thanks. Viola just lost a bet.” He stands with a growing smile.

“Dammit. I’ve told her to text me when you guys make these stupid bets so I can make sure you lose.” I laugh as he walks to the door. “Oh, hey. What did you guys bet this time?”

He turns and looks at me over his shoulder with a smoldering expression. “You don’t want to know.”

I gag in response.

Once Travis leaves, I instantly dig for my phone in the bottom of my purse and send her a text.

C: Please tell me you didn’t bet butt sex again.

V: So, you’re going to take the rest of the day off, right?

C: LOLA! I told Travis I was staying.

V: WELL GREAT!!!

C: Stop placing bets with him! Or at least give me a hint beforehand!

V: Well, I wanted to win fair and square! I guess I’ll learn my lesson one of these days.

I smile, knowing damn well she won’t.

C: HA! Always playing games. Love you, Lola, but I need to get back to work.

V: Want to do dinner tonight? Me + You + Kayla + Margaritas?

C: I would LOVE THAT!

Every day I’m so thankful Viola is my best friend. There are times that I don’t know how I could get on without her. I always wished for a sister, and though we may not be blood related, she’s the closest thing I have to one. And right now, I need her more than ever.

CHAPTER FIVE

DREW

I wake up gasping with my heart racing. Images of the night from the accident swirl together with Mia and it forces me out of sleep. For the past couple weeks, I haven’t rested, and now that I’m back at work, I find myself thinking about all of it even more. Not a minute passes before I’m reminded of what happened. The only time the thoughts seem to diminish is when I’m with Courtney. She’s my saving grace. I could take another week off, but it’s important that I get back to my routine. Tyler was more than ready for me to return yesterday.

I roll over and look at the clock and see it’s only ten. Courtney’s smell still lingers on the pillow, and I lie there for a minute thinking about her. I never knew I could feel so deeply about someone and have the feelings returned with such intensity. I have a few hours before I have to get ready for work, so I get dressed for the gym and grab my bag, but when I head out the door, I immediately stop. Mia is leaning against her car in the driveway, waiting for me.

“Baby…” She pushes off the car with a beaming smile.

“Mia, you shouldn’t be here. You need to leave.”

“Drew, I need you.”

As I look at her, with blonde hair, the memories of what she did come rushing back in full force and it brings me to a dangerous level of rage. Long streaks of mascara are on her cheeks and her eyes are as wild as her hair. It’s hard for me to look at her as a blonde. It’s hard for me to look at her at all. I glance down at her hand and there’s a piece of paper gripped tightly in her fingers.

“Why did you do this to me? To us? A temporary restraining order?” She takes a step forward—and I try not to set her off—because after Vegas, I truly don’t know what she’s capable of.

“All I have to do is make one call. You’ll get arrested. You’re forcing me to do this.” I pull my phone from my pocket.

“I dare you,” she threatens.

I begin to dial the number to the station and she screams obscenities at me before getting in her car. As she reverses, she rolls down the window and looks into my eyes. “This isn’t over, Drew.”