“We did, even that night with the bronco.”
She giggles. “When you said we should drive to Vegas and get married dressed as Elvis, I knew you were joking. We argued within ten minutes because you were too busy to care that men chatted me up.”
“I can’t remember what I was doing.”
“You and Connor were in a corner talking about buying a ranch. You wanted to be cowboys.”
She giggles, and I join her in belly laughing. “I really was a dick, huh?”
“The biggest.” She laughs. She catches my eye. “I saw how you looked at your assistant. She’s the one. Your one.”
I nod as Rosie absentmindedly brushes her chain. Is she wearing the ring around it like she promised? “It’s new between us, but I know she’s all I want. I’ve got to convince her, though.”
“And convince yourself you’re good enough.”
My eyes snap to Clara.
“My Niki wasn’t uncertain about anything, but there’s a hesitancy in your actions that wasn’t there before. Jacs suggested you weren’t feeling good enough.”
“Bloody Jacs.” I slowly sip water from my bottle. I’ve not shared that with anyone, but I’m not surprised she’s recognised it in me.
“Go easy on her. She was jittery. We hooked up a couple of weeks ago, and neither of us knew what to talk about.”
I choke on my water. “I didn’t know.”
“I want more, but she says she’s not the relationship type. Story of my life.” Clara’s laugh is hollow. “With her, it’s related to an ex, as opposed to you, who was a dick.” But she says it with a smile. “Thank you for the catch up.”
She stands, and I walk her to my door. “Thank you for visiting. It was nice to chat about old times even if I was a bellend back then.”
She laughs as we step into the corridor. Rosie pulls at her chain as she flexes her jaw.
“Remember you are enough,” Clara whispers, “and you don’t have to go back to who you were.”
She holds out her hand, and I shake it.
“Bye, Rosie. I’ll see you at a race sometime.” Clara waves at a frozen Rosie.
“Bye,” Rosie stutters, but Clara’s turned the corner.
I stand in front of her desk, putting on sanitiser and imploring her with my stare. “Can I explain what she meant about the proposal?”
Rosie shakes her head, making me gulp, but then she winks. “Did you buy the ranch with Connor or not?”
I grip the desk and laugh as she adds, “Senna caught up to me when I was with Jimmy. You used to be a dickhead in the old days, eh?”
Her eyes shine so brightly that I’m dazzled in her presence. “The biggest. There’s nothing between me and Clara. I only want you.”
Rosie worries her lip with her tongue. I want to replace it with mine. I want to prove my dedication to her. Our messages are the best kind of filth, but it doesn’t compare to not touching her.
“I know there’s nothing between you two. I feel insecure sometimes. She seems nice.”
“She is. You’ve nothing to feel insecure about. Me saying that won’t change everything, but I can show you if you’d like.”
She tips her head. Her fingers run across the chain around her neck.
“Are you wearing my ring?” I grunt.
“It’s on the chain.” She pulls it out. It shines under the office lights. “It’s time I returned it.”
