“Oh, hi, Sophie,” Will said.
“Hi,” she said with a falsely bright smile as she sailed past them.
“You doing okay?”
“I’m great! Running a little late. Gotta go!”
She hurried past the circulation desk, feeling eyes on her the whole time, but when she glanced over, no one was looking. She was imagining things. Still, she rushed for the door to her office and was just about to breathe a loud sigh of relief when she realized Lauren was waiting for her. Before Sophie could make an excuse and back out, Lauren grabbed her arm, pulled her in and shut the door.
“Your shift doesn’t start for eight minutes. I need details. Now.”
“What details?”
“Oh, my God, you know what details. I tried to be respectful and not call yesterday. Okay, Jake told me to be respectful, but—”
“You told Jake?”
“I had to tell someone! I walked in on you with a naked man. A really naked man. With tattoos. And biceps.”
“Lauren! It’s a secret.”
“I’m sorry! Jake was waiting in the truck and I was in shock! I just blurted it out without thinking, but he won’t tell anyone. You know he won’t. He thinks you’re so sweet he actually told me I was probably misinterpreting something. God, men are idiots.” She grabbed Sophie’s hand. “I’m really, really sorry. Please don’t punish me by not telling me about your bad boy. He looks like he’d do terrible things to you. Did he?”
She looked so hopeful that Sophie’s irritation fell away. She smiled and shook her head.
“He didn’t?”
“Of course he did. I’m under a lot of stress. Do you think I’d want to hang out and play Scrabble or something?”
“Well, you do love Scrabble.”
That was true, and she’d actually love to play Scrabble with Alex, preferably half-naked and stretched out on the bed.
“Sophie!” Lauren poked her arm. “Focus! Who is he?”
She shrugged. “Just a man. He’s passing through.”
“You mean you just found him walking down the highway and took him in for a few days?”
“No, he has his own place to stay! And he was on a motorcycle.”
Lauren’s jaw dropped. “Oh, my God. If I didn’t have a hot firefighter waiting at home, I’d knock you out and assume your identity.”
“Oh, please. I’m the one who’s had to watch you fall madly in love with the hottie next door. Give me my few days of dirty sex.”
Lauren leaned forward, eyes going even wider. “Is it dirty?”
Sophie answered with a proud grin. “Yes. It’s been pretty shameful, I have to be honest.”
“God, what are you even doing here? Why didn’t you call in sick?”
“Is that your solution to everything? You’re supposed to be the older, more responsible friend.”
“I’m the wiser friend, and I’m telling you that you need to be on bed rest, sister.”
Sophie rolled her eyes and tossed her purse in a desk drawer. “It doesn’t matter. I think he’s leaving tomorrow anyway.”
“Fine. Enjoy him while you can. But you’re being careful?” Lauren pressed.