Page 26 of Last Resort

“Did you forget I’m hundreds of miles away now? It’s over, Lizzy. Like over, over. I’m not going back, and I don’t have any regrets other than the time I’ve wasted. I think I mistook duty for love and that’s on me.”

She lets her silence be her no-judgment answer, and for that I’m more than grateful.

Clint thinks I’ll be going back because I can’t live without him.

He’s wrong. Dead wrong.

And the night of our breakup, the one-night stand that awakened all of my senses and the days following where I’ve thrown myself into the details of this project without pause, proved just how wrong he was.

Besides, ending a two-year relationship should entail some sadness and grief, not relief and regret.

I think that says enough in and of itself.

“I’m so proud of you,” she murmurs, causing my carefree smile to widen.

“This is one hundred percent what I need right now. Some time away. A new job to focus on. A new experience to enjoy. The—”

“The triplet you want to fuck again.”

“I—uh—”

“Cat got your tongue? Because you know I’m right.”

“More like cat’s got my tongue because sometimes the things you say are shocking.”

“Having to work with a man who might or might not be the man who fucked your brains out is shocking. Having to work with a man who looks exactly like the man who dirty-talked you into oblivion and not being able to think of anything else while he discusses staff salary structures and guest complaints is even worse. I mean, you’re damned if it’s him and you’re damned if it isn’t. Maybe the solution is you ask for a triplet sandwich and be done with it.”

“There is something sooooo wrong with you.” I laugh and draw a look from a woman passing by.

“You know you’ve already thought of it. What sane woman wouldn’t have?”

“Perhaps.” A smile creeps onto my lips. “But nothing is going to happen. No sleeping with my boss. No triplet sandwiches. No anything.” And just the thought has my thighs clenching together.

This is not a good sign.

“Callahan.” She draws the name out as if she didn’t hear a word I said. “That’s a mouthful. Do you think he’ll let you shorten it to Cal in the heat of passion? Oh Cal, give me your monster cock, baby.”

“Jesus. This isn’t even a topic we’re discussing. Sleeping with my boss is a line I can’t cross. I have too much to lose.”

Her suggestive laugh has me rolling my eyes. “Then I guess it’s going to be a one-way discussion, honey, because I’m talking about it.”

My sigh fills the line, but my smile she can’t see widens.

“I believe your words were the best sex you’d ever had,” she continues. “Earth-shattering was another adjective. You didn’t think anyone would ever compare was another description. I don’t know about you, but that kind of sex is worth breaking the rules over.”

“In any other situation, yes. Maybe.” I look around to make sure no one is within earshot of my side of the conversation.

Maybe.

Why did I even say that? There is no maybe about sleeping with my boss.

“I can’t risk this opportunity, Lizzy. I have too much riding on it. And for what? Good sex with a guy who is clearly the poster boy for One-Night Stand 101? I mean, I’m more than certain the shock I felt walking into that conference room was tenfold for him. While I’ve never done something like that before, clearly he has.”

“There is no shame to be had on either side of that equation.”

“No, but if he wanted my number to get to know me better or was interested in going out again, he would have left me a card or woken me up before he left. He didn’t. That tells me where I stand. It was one and done and that’s fine.”

“So you’re totally fine sitting beside and working day in and day out with a man who rocked your world?”