“Yes, sir.” I give him a little salute, and Trevor chuckles.
Once boarded, I bunch my garment bag against the window, planning on starting my night’s sleep on the commute. I’m about to drift into la-la land when my phone pings with a text.
I grimace. It better not be Colton with any of his nonsense.
Alex
I’m considering a truce.
I blink at the message, my brows furrowing. Hadn’t she blocked me?
Alex
I think I’ve found a way for us to work together without wanting to strangle each other.
Alex
It would be a completely fresh start—if you’re interested.
If I knew what was good for me, I’d block Alex’s number and refuse to speak to her unless absolutely necessary. Zona is always telling me I’m too quick to forgive. But since I’m not very good at keeping a level head when it comes to Alex, it’s no surprise when my fingers type a response.
Tenny
Tempting…what are the terms?
Alex
You’ll find out on our day off on Thursday. In the meantime, try to keep winning.
Tenny
I ONLY know how to win.
Alex
Don’t make me block you again.
My brain fires off seven different flirty responses, but I tuck my phone in my pocket, finally showing some restraint. Then I lean against the window and smile like the fool I am all the way to the hotel.
Chapter 23
Alex
This is singlehandedly the worst idea I’ve ever had. I pace back and forth on the pockmarked linoleum floor of my galley kitchen, trying to figure out how to go back in time and undo this. Maybe I can find Alice’s rabbit hole and tumble down it for a while? Or crawl into the air vent and live there indefinitely? There’s always spontaneous combustion.
A knock on my front door makes me jump, even though I’d been foreboding that sound since I woke up jittery and tense at four a.m.
Welp. It’s official. I’m stuck. There’s no way for me to uninvite Tenny to my crap apartment when he’s already here. After resting my forehead on the door for a deep inhale that doesabsolutely nothingto settle me, I yank it open.
The unexpected joy slipping over my skin when I see Tenny feels like the first rays of the summer sun while bobbing outside the break on my surfboard. I bite my lip to keep my smile from overtaking my face.
My idea for a new “intentionally transactional professional relationship” can benefit us both, but only if I don’t do something stupid, like fall for this man. He’s already proven himself noncommittal. I just need to keep my heart in check.
“I see you brought breakfast,” I say, allowing myself a wry grin.
Tenny itches his eyebrow with his knuckle, nearly knocking himself in the face with the greasy paper bag fisted in his fingers. “I didn’t know what you liked, so I brought options.”
“I see.”
