The thing that’s stillunclear is whether it’s purely physical. I have to keep reminding myself that I’ve only known him a few days.
My phone is set to silent, but when I glance at the screen, I see a slew of texts coming in from Megan.
Megan: Where are you? The photoshoot is starting in three hours! We all have to get our nails done the same color.
Megan: Bryce has been asking about you. He’s super excited for this romantic Valentine shoot we’re all doing!
Megan: Mom said you mentioned being away for the whole weekend, but you’ll be back for this, right?
Bryce: Hey Laila – I finally got Megan to give me your number. It feels like a sign. You’re not going to miss the photoshoot, are you? I want to get some really frisky shots of us together ;)
Ew.
I never want to be in a room with that guy again.
“Hey, gorgeous.” Devin drops into the chair beside me, then he notices my expression. “Wait – are you okay? Your entire face just clenched.”
I pass him the phone and point at the screen. His eyes roll when he reads Megan’s texts, then I notice how his jaw tightens at Bryce’s.
“You told your mom you were going away for the weekend, didn’t you?”
“Yes! I told her I was off to that library retreat with a friend. I also told Megan three times that I was going to be away. She obviously wasn’t listening.”
“Hmm.” Devin sets my phone down, then takes my hand. “But this Bryce guy, I mean, maybe those frisky photos could lead to something, if you play your cards right.”
His completely deadpan delivery triggers an abrupt burst of laughter that’s far too loud for a library.
My phone rings, and my mouth falls open when I see it’s Bryce. I snatch my hands away from the phone, then let them flutter over my mouth. “I can’t answer that,” I whisper.
“Baby.” Devin’s hand lands on my thigh. “Do you want me to take care of this?”
“Please,” I squeak.
He jumps to his feet and answers, his deep voice booming and authoritative. “Laila’s phone, can I help you?” There’s a pause, and I return his grin.
“I’m afraid she’s in the shower right now. And we’ll be busy for the rest of the day with Valentineactivities”…he draws out the word…“here at the ski lodge.” He pauses again to wink at me. “May I take a message and have her return your call Sunday evening?” Another brief pause. “Fine. I’ll tell her you called. Have a wonderful day, Bryce.”
Devin’s grin is adorably evil. “He sounded like he was about to piss himself. I don’t think you’ll be hearing from him again.”
“Thank you!” I jump to my feet, throwing my arms around him. “I’m sorry – when I get flustered, my brain sometimes kind of…you know…short circuits. I lose the ability to speak my mind.”
“It’s okay, baby.”
I catch his chin with my hand and take a deep breath. “No, it’s not. I’m so sorry, I should have explained that better from the beginning. It’s why I kind of froze last night when you mentioned condoms. I should have told you right away… I’m on the pill.”
There's a noise behind Devin. When I look over his shoulder, my eyes meet Callan’s.
Crap on a stick.There's zero possibility she didn't hear that last bit of our conversation.
Just as I begin to sputter, Jim comes up behind her.
"Devin, I hate to talk work on our getaway weekend, but I just got a call from the McKenzies. They’re freaking out about some stock fluctuations in their portfolio. Can I borrow you for just a minute?"
Devin grips my elbow, looking deeply into my eyes before following Jim out into the hallway.
Callan steps closer, examining my face carefully. "Devin said that you've been married for a year. I don't know any married couple who wouldn't have their birth control situation figured out by now."
"That's private," I say, taking a step back.
