“My employees are too scared or ethical to go behind their backs. I’m relying on bits and pieces and what you’ve been finding out. It’s frustrating, to say the least.”
“Carter, besides some nosy reporters, nobody’s making waves. Even Alicia is minding her own business.”
“Never mind her. She doesn’t know anything relevant for the press.” I take a deep breath and relax. Adam is someone I can confide in. “After everything I’ve put into the company, it’s hard not being—”
“In control andoverworked?”
My cutting answer is interrupted by Eliza bringing out a tray with fresh lemonade.
“Sorry, I’ll leave this here for you.” She nods politely at Adam.
“Oh no, please sit with us. I bet you’re better company than this old wet blanket.”
She gives him a shy smile and looks at me for approval. Of course, she thinks I don’t want her company after the way I’ve been acting, when all I want is to be in her orbit.
I pull out the chair for her and there’s a fleeting hint of surprise on her face before she murmurs, “Thanks.”
The traitor shamelessly flirts with her, and I grit my teeth to stop myself from going off on him. They talk about the cabin and she’s wary at first, but Adam knows how to make people comfortable and open to sharing details about themselves.
It’s the first time I’m jealous of Adam because nothing holds him back and Eliza shares with him more about her passion for design and reconditioning than she did with me. When he makes her laugh so hard her head snaps back, I have to remind myself my best friend was there for me during the darkest moments of my life.
When I’d been a wreck and my father wanted me to continue with his plan like nothing happened, Adam was the only one who understood what I was going through. The only person I could talk to about it. My father didn’t allow wallowing.It’s not dignified for a Rawlings. It was for the best and in time you’ll realize it.
“You’re entitled to compensation for putting up with his morning grumpiness.” Adam brings me back to the discussion. “Morning classes with him were torture.”
The cheeky vixen smirks. “I’ve learned to feed him first and let him play with his toys.”
I huff. “Look who’s talking. You have the grace of a bear out of hibernation when you stomp out of the bedroom.”
She’s wearing a loose pair of short shorts, and her skin looks so soft it’s distracting. Her muscles flex when she crosses her legs and an image of having them wrapped around me takes shape, and I have to adjust myself discreetly.
“I’d have no problem waking up to her. I’d find a way to tame this wilding.” Adam forgets he’s not talking to one of his one-night-stands he comes on to in bars.
I see red.
“Watch your mouth. You don’t speak to her like that.” I squash his nonsense quickly.
He was a playboy in college, always talking about his hookups, dragging me to parties when Laura was working. The only reason I don’t throw him out is because when I asked him, he’s also the one who just hung out in my room, munching snacks and studying.
Adam grins and apologizes, nodding slowly like he’s just confirmed something he already suspected.
“Old ways are hardwired.”
I don’t care he’s my best friend; she deserves to be treated with respect and she should know it.
Eliza’s hazel eyes are wide and that pretty blush, which I enjoy more than I should, caresses her cheekbones.
“He was kidding.” Eliza puts her hand on my arm, and our surroundings fade away for a second.
I take Adam for lunch in the bay area so we can talk about the new governmental contracts, regulation changes, the shit our biggest competitor is up to, and the internal rumor mill. A twinge of guilt makes me regret leaving Eliza behind and I wonder if she ate this time. But finding her attractive and trusting her are two different things. I can’t have her overhear sensitive information about my company.
“I should visit you more often,” Adam says on the drive to the airport. I know he’s baiting me, and I don’t want to play his game.
“You do look like something dragged out of the Hudson. Need the fresh Maine air to put some color in your ashen post-bender glow?”
“Speaking about rosy cheeks—”
“Let’s not.”
