“Seems like you’ve already gotten over it.”
Damn smart witch lady. “But I have shit to do. Shit that becomes so much harder if I start something with Gavin Carlyle. Like getting Dad’s respect.”
“Forget his name. Forget your dad. Just live your life. And from now on do shocking sex stuff earlier in the day so you don’t wake me up during prime sleep hours.”
Easy for Sonia to say. A lot harder for me to throw aside decades of feeling inadequate and constantly trying to make Dad proud as a result. “Sure, I’ll rearrange my sexual escapades for you in the future.”
“That’s all I ask,” she says, not picking up on the sarcasm. Or not caring.
“He’s been different lately.” I can’t stop myself from offering the information. “There’s still the competition and pranks, but there’s moments when he’s really sweet.” Like first making me eat spicy food then giving me regular food or having fun with me at the charity event. I sigh. “Anyway, night. And thank you again for helping out at the office.”
“Yeah, remember that when you see what Ajay is doing to your shows.”
“Wait, what?” I ask, but she’s already hung up.
I can’t do anything about my shows or Gavin tonight, so I might as well push that to tomorrow to worry about.
Chapter Twenty
“Come in,” I yell at the knock on my door. I’ve been awake for a half hour, but I have no motivation to get out of bed and deal with reality, or Gavin. Not just yet. So instead I grabbed my phone and made a wonderful cocoon of my blankets to block out the real world.
Sarah sticks her head in the door. “Is this a good time?”
“Please, yes. Come in. I’m trying to build up the will to get out of bed.”
“You’re a guest here,” she says, bringing new towels. “Sleep in and enjoy.”
“I think I’m somewhere in between.” I smile. “I can reuse my towels. The environment and all that.”
“Sounds good.” She stops on her way to the bathroom. “And just so you know, we’re all set to have everything for tomorrow.”
“Thank you! You really are my hero.”
She gives me a smile and a nod as she leaves the room.
I finally get out of bed and trip over piles of shoes and clothes to get ready. Harrison said to wear tennis shoes, so I assume we’re doing something athletic. I dress in the workout clothes that I brought on the off chance I could convince myself to go on a run while I’m here.
I’m grateful for my delusion, since it means I can be appropriately dressed for this event. Whatever it is.
Gavin is already waiting in the foyer when I come down the stairs, and I take an involuntary step back, my end goal to hide under the covers in my room. He looks better than anyone has a right to in his tight, spandex-y shirt and loose shorts that hit above his knees. Even the sight of his hairy legs is making me horny again.
I’m in so much trouble.
Fleeing, not just to my guest room but back to the city, is looking more and more appealing every second.
But then Harrison comes into the foyer. I can’t let Gavin get more time with him than me.
Sometimes it’s really inconvenient to want to be good at my job.
And Gavin has already realized I’m here because he smiles in my direction. I nod and quickly look away before I have to interact with him. I can still feel his eyes boring into me from behind, but if I don’t acknowledge it, then it isn’t happening. Right? That’s how that works?
I head straight for Harrison.
“Harrison, I emailed you Loot’s proposal last night. After you get a chance to look at it please let me know if there’s anything else you want to discuss.”
“I glanced through it this morning. It’s impressive and I’ll let you know when I’ve gone through the whole thing. Both of yours.” He directs the last part over my shoulder. I turn to come face to sexy shoulder with Gavin. Sometime when I was talking to Harrison, he snuck up behind me.
“Great,” I say to Harrison as he walks away. That means I’ll be back to real life soon, and away from the temptation that is Gavin Carlyle.
