Page 44 of Wrecked

“Your usual MO.”

“Yeah. And I told him this. I was very upfront about it, and he said he understood.”

“Again, I ask you, what’s the problem?”

“As soon as it was… over… I asked him to leave.”

Shane winces. “Where did this take place?”

“Here at the penthouse, the night you and Beth slept at your apartment in the office building.”

Shane sighs. “I see. Go on.”

“Now he won’t talk to me. I’ve tried to see him, but he shut the door in my face. He said we’re done.”

“Isn’t that what you wanted in the first place? A one-time hook up? A fuck and done?”

“Yes, but—”

“Youhurthim, Cooper. How do you expect him to act?”

Hearing those words from Shane hit me like a punch to the gut. But he’s right. It was exactly what I wanted. I got what I wanted, and now I’m screwed. “He won’t even talk to me, Shane.”

“What do you expect, Cooper? You fucked him and then sent him home. It was a classic walk of shame. Do you think he has feelings for you?”

I shrug. “I don’t know.”

“Do you have feelings for him?”

“He’s a great guy. He’s pretty incredible, actually. But no.” I shake my head adamantly. “No way.”

“No—you don’t have feelings for him? Or no—you refuse to admit you have feelings for him?”

“Is there a difference?”

Shane chuckles. “Oh, yes, my friend. There’s a huge difference. You like him, don’t you?” When I don’t answer him, he adds, “I’ve known you a long time, Cooper, and I’ve never seen you act like this over anyone.”

I look him in the eye. “Ican’thave feelings for him, Shane. You know that.”

“It would be difficult to keep that a secret, yes, when you’re working for the same company. Hell, he’s about to become Beth’s full-time bodyguard, which means he’ll be coming in and out of the penthouse on a regular basis. You realize that, right?” Shane’s voice starts to rise as he’s clearly losing patience with me. “What are you going to do then? Huh? Ignore him? Pretend you haven’t been intimate with him? How’s that going to go over? How’s he going to handle seeing you on a daily basis? And do you seriously think Beth won’t pick up on the tension between you two?”

As I run my fingers through my hair, a soft feminine voice says, “Is something wrong?”

Damn.I was so wrapped up in my conversation with Shane that I didn’t even notice Beth coming down the hall. “Hey, darlin’. Good morning. Are you ready for some breakfast?”

She’s wearing a blue nightgown and matching robe. Her hair is tousled from sleep. She must have gotten up just minutes ago.

She looks at Shane, then at me. “Is everything all right? I heard voices. You sounded upset.”

“Everything’s fine, honey,” I say. “So, what sounds good for breakfast? Pancakes? French toast? An omelet?”

“Thank you. French toast sounds wonderful, if it’s not too much effort.”

“Coming right up. With bacon, too. The coffee’s ready. I’ll get you a cup.”

Shane holds his hand out to her, and Beth joins him on the sofa. He pulls her into his arms and kisses her temple. It’s such a sweet, loving gesture.

For a fleeting second, I imagine having the right to do that with Sam. Pull him into my arms anytime I want. Kiss him. Thethought makes me smile. “Coffee’s coming right up, Beth. And then I’ll get on your breakfast.”