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He must be really focused on that contract.
I roll my eyes at Lacey. She and I became friends shortly after I started working at Alpha Defense Industries. She’s the only one here who knows about my stories. “I just finished the last chapter.”
She rubs her hands together in glee. “I can’t wait. You know you’re making me burn through batteries for Peter.”
Peter is Lacey’s nickname for the rabbit that apparently gets a workout every time she reads one of my drafts.
“Speaking of…how’s Mr. Tall, Dark, and Sexy?” I ask, using the nickname she has for Ryan. Ryan is her roommate. Or rather, her other roommate. She also lives with Eric, her older brother.
She glances around because Ryan works in the legal division and it’s not uncommon for him to bring paperwork up to Michael.
“He’s gorgeous as always,” she finally says when she’s certain we’re alone.
I chuckle at that. “You should take him to the masquerade.”
Something flickers across Lacey’s face. “I think he just puts up with me.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure.”
Although Ryan keeps his distance at work, I’ve seen the looks he sends Lacey’s way when he thinks no one is paying attention. The problem is she doesn’t realize it.
“I’m sure he already has one. Besides, I found a date for the masquerade anyway,” Lacey says, delight dancing in her eyes.
We chat for a few more minutes before I give her the latest installment in my series. It’s due to be published on Tuesday but other than the masquerade, my weekend is open.
A fact which will no doubt disappoint my mother. She doesn’t understand how I can spend hours in my room “writing those little romance stories of yours”.
I shrug the thought away and focus on my work for the next few hours. When I’m done, I knock on Michael’s door. “I’m leaving for the night.”
He blinks up at me from behind his computer screen. He gets lost in his projects for hours, often forgetting to eat or sleep. “I’ll walk you out.”
No matter how many times I’ve told him not to worry, he still insists on seeing me safely to my car each night.
“Do you have a hot date after this?” He asks as we wait for the elevator that will take us to the parking garage.
Not unless you count a double chocolate milkshake and plotting my next story about you.
“Not really.” I pause because we don’t normally ask each other about our personal lives. “How about you?”
He snorts. “I’ll be on the paperwork for Jameson acquisition.”
When the doors open with a ding, he gestures for me to go first before following me inside. “Don’t you have a boyfriend waiting for you?”
I keep my gaze fixed on my vintage Mary Jane shoes. Something is strange tonight. Michael usually doesn’t show interest in anything that’s not directly related to the work we do. “No.”
Fortunately, the elevator opens before he can ask me more personal questions.
I gesture toward my car, the vintage Volkswagen Beetle that makes me smile every time I see it. “This is my ride.” Of course, he knows that. He’s only walked me out a million times.
He gives me a quick nod. “Be safe.”
I get into my car and watch Michael in the garage. He stands there for a long moment, waiting until my vehicle disappears from view before he goes back to his office.
On my way home, I stop at The Wicked Wench. It’s my favorite eatery here in Asheville.
Inside, the noisy restaurant, I spot Atlas. She rushes over, her blonde curls swept back into a ponytail. “You want your Friday night usual?”
I nod and wait for my order, pausing to check my phone. There are over half a dozen messages from Lacey about my latest chapters. Each one makes me giggle, especially her use of exclamation marks and dirty GIFs.
