I quickly touch up my lips with my favorite pink-nude lipstick and brush my hair, still feeling the sensation of Dom’s fingers. His touch is everything I’ve been craving for so long. He instinctively knew the perfect amount of pressure, not too gentle or rough, and I didn’t have to direct him at all. He’s always been good at reading my body, or maybe he’s like that with every woman.
Something about our sexual chemistry just works. It always has.
“Thank you for saying something before I went into my back-to-back client meetings.”
Via nods, not saying anything else as she rummages around her desk, making far too much noise.
“What are you looking for?” I ask.
“Nothing. Just tidying up a little.” She seems cold suddenly.
“How come?”
Via shrugs. “Just feel like it.”
Strange, she’s never cared much about her space before. “Did something happen?”
She ignores my question, dumping a stack of pens into her drawer and forcing the thing shut.
“So you’re really dating Dominik. What’s he like?”
“What happened when I left?” I ignore her question this time, changing the subject back.
Via keeps herself occupied with other tasks, not bothering to look up. It seems like she won’t respond until she eventually sighs and turns toward me.
“Tracy was flirting with your brother. He brought up your big file from the Boston office. She told him you were leading the launch party, and all the comms for the event. Aaron seemed happy about that and said he was going to attend and bring a few of his upscale clients.”
“What? Aaron said that?” I’m genuinely surprised.
“Yep. And then he kept glaring over at my desk and made some sort of comment about cleanliness. When he left, I got a mouthful from Tracy.”
Jesus Christ, Aaron. Way to be an asshole.
“Fuck. I’m sorry. He’s kind of a jerk.” I cringe.
“Tell me about it. How far up is that stick in his butt?”
I burst out laughing. “Honestly, I’m not even sure. He seriously needs to loosen up. He’s gotten so much worse since he became a workaholic.”
Via gives me a sympathetic stare. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. We’ll figure it out,” I say reassuringly.
“You will. He might be an ass, but it’s obvious he cares a lot about you.”
I blow out a breath. “I’m not sure. I think he more so feels responsible for me, or maybe wants to make sure I don’t mess up under his watch.”
“Well, do you blame the guy? You sort of turned green and ran out of the room earlier. No explanation or anything.”
I’ve been so distracted today since they showed up. This entire fake dating ordeal needs to end as soon as possible so I can get back to my normal life.
Maybe that’s the answer.
I think the rumors have died down enough that we can probably just call the entire thing off. No more grand gestures, surprise visits, or neck squeezes in stairwells. We need a proper cut off so I can block him from everything.
It’s impossible to ask him to stay away from me when we’re supposed to be a happy couple. The best thing to do is to end things publicly. That way I won’t have to see Dom again.
Pulling out my phone, I fire him a text message.
