Page 73 of Miss Understanding

“Hi,” she squealed bounding off of the couch to hug me.

I happily hugged her back. “Hi. Gosh, am I glad you’re back.”

“Me, too. Catch me up. What happened during a week with your hot dick boss?”

Oh, God, was her metaphor about to take on a new meaning. Only, wait. I couldn’t talk about it. Right? I’d told him I wouldn’t tell anyone. But then again, she was my best friend and roommate, not someone we worked with. I was torn and decided to change the subject for now.

“I’ll tell you, but after you tell me about home.”

Immediately, Chloe’s smile disappeared. “Nothing much to tell. It was unfortunate family drama stuff.”

“Your brother?” Her older sibling had become involved in drugs, leaving his mother with a mountain of debt while still caring for two younger children. The reason Chloe worked two jobs was in order to help them.

“Yeah. But I can’t talk about it without getting angry. Tell me about your boss. Was it horrible? Awful? What? I’ve been dying to find out.”

“I need wine for this.” I figured I’d stick to the basics, starting with my ugly, puffy, olive green coat, him freaking out about the house, his father, and family.

We were down two glasses by the time I finished. “Wow, that’s a lot.”

Definitely an understatement. It made me anxious to keep silent about the physical part of our relationship or the way he’d come to the club this last weekend, but I fought the sensation.

Hell, now that it was going on ten o’clock and I hadn’t heard from him, our non-relationship could be over, and I simply hadn’t heard yet. Sure, I could initiate the text or call, but something told me if I reached out, I’d fail whatever the criteria was for casual.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Liam

I operated on autopilot over the next four days, barely eating, sleeping, or socializing, while consumed with the deposition prep. Hell, if there hadn’t been a dress code, I doubt I would’ve shaved or showered on a daily basis.

Of course, Kendall was there in the office, but we were back to our previous coolness. I made an effort to be more appreciative and say thank you and please, but otherwise you would never guess we’d spent last weekend naked in my bed.

Now, sitting at my desk on a Friday afternoon, I should feel relief that she hadn’t gotten weird in the office. But instead, I was unsettled, not knowing where we stood. Shit. Maybe I should’ve sent her a text at some point this week. Especially since I was due to leave for Hong Kong on Saturday night and would be gone for five days.

I was exhausted from putting in so many hours, but I finally felt prepared for the deposition. I was always ready. Anything less was not acceptable.

My intercom buzzed with Kendall’s voice. “Ms. Owings is here to see you.”

I wasn’t in the mood for Tabitha, but then again, I seldom was. I’d put her off the entire week telling her I could carve out fifteen minutes on Friday. Clearly, she hadn’t forgotten.

“Thanks. Please send her in.”

Tabitha came in like she normally did, with eyes only for me and a big smile. “You’ve been working hard.”

“Yes. I’ve been wrapped up in this deposition prep.”

“I noticed. I also heard about your father. I’m sorry,” she said, taking a seat across from my desk.

Word traveled fast. Of course, I’d had to tell the managing partner why I was flying to Virginia and taking my assistant. “Thank you.”

“Did you really take your secretary with you for the week?”

Leave it to Tabitha to want to start up some gossip. I decided to shut it down. “Yes, I did. This deposition is a vital element in an important case to the firm. I couldn’t afford to get behind despite a death in my family.”

“No, no. Of course. I mean some people may have thought it odd, but I suppose it makes sense.” She almost sounded jealous.

“I don’t care what people think.” At least it was what most believed.

“Of course. I completely get it. When do you fly to Hong Kong?”