Page 71 of A Song for You

For the next few hours, Sophie and I sift through products and reviews. We order lunch and laugh while we devour sushi at our desks and get looks from the modelesque figures around us. We definitely don’t fit the mold in this office, and I couldn’t care less. It’s freeing to stop worrying about what others think.

“You coming home with me tonight?” Sophie asks as we head toward the elevator at the end of the day.

I shrug. I haven’t heard from Jay all day, and I didn’t expect to. It’s been a hectic day for me, and I’m just an intern. I imagine his was even busier since he’s got a real job.

At Hanson Liquors.

I groan at the reminder. That fact will definitely take some getting used. Not only does he work for my family’s competitor, but one day, he’ll be the CEO. Once in the elevator, I spin to face the doors and slip my phone out of my purse, ready to catch up on any communication I may have missed throughout the day. I blink at the sheer number of notifications.

The first is from Mia.

And the second. And the third.

I ignore them and go straight to Cash’s text.

Cash: Frank thinks there’s something going on between you and Hanson. Have anything to tell me?

I throw my head back and groan. “Fucking Frank.” The guy misses nothing.

“Who’s Frank?” Sophie asks, one brow cocked wickedly. “Sounds hot.”

I laugh. “So not your type.”

“Why’s that?” she asks, turning to face me, one hand on her hip.

“He’s about twenty years off your typical type.”

“Oh my gosh, a real daddy?”

I laugh. “No, he’s my younger brother’s age. Eighteen.”

She makes a face. “Yeah, so not my type.”

“Told you!” I laugh again.

“So what did the baby do to you?” she says in a mocking, childlike tone.

I contemplate the text, working out a response. I hate lying to Cash. But with his love for the company and his loyalty to everything James, he’ll be more opposed to a relationship between Jay and me than anyone. I blow out a breath. “He’s my brother’s best friend. And he misses nothing. It’s annoying.”

“And what didn’t he miss?” she prompts, rolling her hand for me to go on.

“Uh, that something is going on with Jay. We went to brunch yesterday and acted like we’d never met. But, uh—” I blush, embarrassed to admit what Jay did while my brothers were sitting right across from me at the table. And how much I enjoyed it. I palm my face. “Jay tried to finger me under the table.”

Sophie bursts out laughing. “Oh my God. Sweet little virginal Cat’s not such a virgin anymore,” she sings.

I glare at her. “Still a virgin,” I mumble as the elevator doors open and more people step on.

“What are you going to say?” she asks, pushing closer to me to make room for our companions.

“What can I say? I can’t very well admit that, yes, my family company’s mortal enemy had his finger in my pants while they sat across from me!” I hiss.

Two men in suits in front of us turn, one with a brow cocked, and the other one giving me a once-over. Shit. Didn’t use my library voice. Or elevator voice, in this case. My face and neck heat, and from the looks of my hazy reflection in the stainless wall beside me, I’m the shade of a tomato. I sink back and stare at the ceiling.

Sophie slaps a hand to her mouth. “Smooth,” she whispers between giggles.

“Shut it,” I snap.

I jump and almost drop my phone when it rings in my hand.