“I wanted to apologise. Jacs told me I was a jerk. She’s a good mate, and she’s not what I thought she’d be based on the rumours.”
My eyebrows quirk. “What rumours?”
“I hung out with a group of agents the other night. One of them managed a driver at Vessa, where she used to work eight years ago. He said something about a relationship that went wrong between her and?—”
“Niki.” Clara squeals as she runs over. “You’re hotter than ever, but you need a haircut.”
She reaches for the curls poking out from under my cap. As I step away, my cap slips. My pulse spikes as I press it to my head.
Jacs appears and steps between us. “Scott, you should takeClara for a drink. The hospitality at Vessa is better than ever, and the queen of Vogue is there. I bet they’re chatting about the best dressed at last week’s Met Gala. You’ll be mentioned, Clara. You looked fabulous.”
Clara shrieks. Her eyes light up.
Scott tucks Clara’s arm in his and asks her about her outfit. They leave the garage without a goodbye as Clara chats about her electric punk dress.
“Thank you for rescuing me, Jacs, but now I’ve cock-blocked you.”
Jacs laughs. “Scott’s just a hookup. I have one-night stands like you do. I don’t need anyone’s issues bringing me down. This way I have fun without worrying about heartbreak or any bullshit.”
My brow furrows.
“I’d best get back to the cars. Catch you later,” she says before joining her team.
I worry my lip as I pull my phone out of my pocket.
My heart races. Rosie messaged me.
Rosie: We were both responsible for the kiss. It shouldn’t have happened. I promise not to cross the line again. I heard the qualifying result. Go Team Coulter. Now if you don’t mind, I’m spending my day with massive cocks.
I laugh at a photo of Rosie and Tabi surrounded by chickens.
Even if I could have one-night stands now, I wouldn’t want them. Rosie is the only one I want close.
CHAPTER 35
Rosie
Tabi climbs into my lap, and I cradle her close. “It’s okay, nugget. Mummy’s here.”
She sniffs, wiping her nose on my cheap hoodie.
“How’s she doing?” Sasha asks from the doorway.
“She’s okay. It’s a twenty-four-hour vomiting thing, and we’re over the worst of it. Although, as per preschool rules, I’ll stay home with her for two days before she can go in.”
“Trust me, it’s for the best. If you think one vomiting preschooler is hard work, you should see twenty of them,” Sasha says, grabbing her bag from the edge of the room. “Was she crying an hour ago from stomach pain?”
“No. Today was Graham Day, which means neither of us get to see Graham.”
“Can you ask one of your parents to babysit Tabi so you can help Niki settle him in?”
I shake my head as Tabi grumbles while dozing. I press a kiss to her hair, and she slides her thumb in her mouth and sucks it. Every part of my body screams in exhaustion, but I wouldn’t change any of the moments where I get to hold herlike this. Soon she’ll be a ratty eight-year-old demanding a phone.
“Rosie? You drifted off there. Are you daydreaming about your gorgeous boss who kisses you like he’s addicted to you?”
Fuck off, I mouth with a scowl to stop Tabi from hearing. I clear my throat. “I left Niki a voicemail in the night. He won’t want me around in case I have germs. I don’t want to risk his health. He’s making great progress, and from the messages he sent in Miami, he’s coping better with people and travel. I’m proud of him.”
“Has he mentioned the kiss that made your toes curl and?—”
