Jeremy leans in. “You should be concerned that Rorie already came close.”
I whack him in the arm.
Her eyes narrow at me. “So, I take it you haven’t figured things out yet since our last conversation?”
I suck down an oyster while Laurel stares at me.
“Allow me to fully brief you onThe Rorie Adams Saga,”Jeremy says in a deep voice.“Heartbreaks, mystery texters, work nemeses, and the very obvious unresolved sexual tension.”
I groan.
Laurel folds her hands under her chin. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of. I’ve had a Nolan Rhodes before. Several of them actually.”
Jeremy perks up. “Ohhh, do tell.”
She gives him a pointed look. “One of them was Thatcher.”
I nearly choke on my drink. “Wait—Thatcher? As inthatThatcher?”
“One and the same.”
Jeremy gasps. “I have whiplash. Continue.”
I gape at her. “YoudatedThatcher?”
Laurel smirks. “Dated is a strong word. Let’s just say we had a…complicatedarrangement. Back in my thirties. When I was a whole lot less concerned about the long-term consequences of mixing business with pleasure. Long story short? Office flings can get messy. No matter how fun, no matter how inevitable they feel in the moment, they come with risks. Risks that, if you’re not careful, can cost you a hell of a lot more than you bargained for.”
“So what do I do?” I ask.
Laurel takes another sip before answering. “Decide what you want.”
I nod slowly, letting that settle in my chest.
Jeremy glances between us, then grins. “So, just to clarify—your advice isdon’t doNolan Rhodes? Or do?”
Laurel hums. “I’m saying… if youdo do…Nolan Rhodes–”
“You said do do.” Jeremy laughs. Clearly the alcohol has taken effect.
Laurel’s eyes snap to him. He shuts up immediately.
“Be very sure about what you’re willing to lose,” she finishes. “If anything.”
I’ve downed four oysters, and am now chewing on a cracker, refusing to glance in Nolan’s direction again.
But feel his presence. The cutting edges of my attraction. The pull I keep trying to block out.
Jeremy nudges me. “So, what’s the plan, boss?”
I exhale. “To get through this trip without making a mistake.”
Laurel raises a brow, takes a sip of her wine. “Good luck with that. Mistakes are part of the job description, babe. You just have to be brave enough to correct them when you can and smart enough to learn from the ones you can’t.”
My shoulders slump, head falls.
She watches me for a long moment, then sighs, setting her glass down with a soft clink. “Rorie, I don’t have all the answers. But I do know this, you don’t get anywhere worth going by running your head in circles.”
I blink. “That’s very wise-mentor of you. Unfortunately, I have no idea what it means.”
