Page 19 of Memories of You

“But you slept with him.”

“I know. It was stupid. But it was awesome too.”

Lilah leans back and laughs. “I am so glad to hear that.”

“But we’re not doing it again. He was my best friend. Youhave to get that. I mean, we’re super close now, but he and I were closer thanyou and I ever were in high school. I mean, we used to actually take bathstogether when we were little kids.”

“I cannot even begin to tell you how glad I am that we donot take baths together.”

“Ha ha.”

“I get it,” she says, “I really do. You’re happy he’s backin your life, you don’t want anything to screw that up, and you’re just alittle bit afraid that sleeping with him last night is going to do that.”

“Yes. Exactly.”

“Have you talked to him about it?”

“Yes. We both agree that it’s all good, it’s in the past,and we’re just friends.”

“Then you don’t have any problem.”

“Nope,” I say. “No problem at all.”

No problem except for the fact that I really do want to doit all over again, and I hate myself for it because that would be breaking myown rules. Not to mention risking a friendship, and all because the boy I oncelusted for is back in my life again.

* * * *

Renly and I get to the office at one and find Darrin alreadyin the waiting room for our two o’clock appointment. Marge is there, too, andshe looks a little harried. I don’t blame her; she’s had to babysit Darrin foran hour.

I shoot her an apologetic glance and force myself to smile,even though I really want to crawl to my office and have a few moments alone.Why the hell don’t people come at an appointed time? Don’t they realize that Ihave things to do before I’m ready for them?

“Have a good day,” Renly says, and I can hear the sympathyin his tone, though I’m sure Darrin won’t pick up on it. “Call me if Margeneeds to leave,” he says, adding her to the conversation. “Otherwise, I’ll beback at five.”

“Sounds good,” I say. “See you then.”

Renly leaves, and I feel a pang of regret as the door shutsbehind him. Then I force myself to aim a business-appropriate smile at Darrin.“I’m so glad you’re here. Give me just a little bit to get set up and I’llbring you in so we can run through the demo.”

He’d been pushing out of his chair as I spoke, and now hesettles back down again, looking a little bit frustrated. Well, too bad forhim. I’m a little bit frustrated, too. I hurry to my office and fire up mycomputer. As I’m tapping my desk, waiting for the login screen to show up, Ericslides into my doorway, making me jump.

“I didn’t know you were coming in today.”

He shrugs. “Catchup.” He cocks his head vaguely in the directionof the front office, his thick blond hair gleaming in the lighting. “I saw you had company.”

I roll my eyes. “He’s not supposed to be here for anotherhour. I have things to tweak before I run him through the demo.”

Eric shrugs. “He’s new at Greystone-Branch. He’s eager toprove his worth.”

I nod. I know he’s right.

“Do you want me to go entertain him?”

“Thanks, but poor Marge is on it. What are you doing here onthe weekend?”

“Trying to catch up on all the projects. I know Nikki did mea favor bringing me back, and I don’t want to let her down.”

Eric was hired about the same time that I was, when Nikkifirst decided she needed to bring on a team to help her with her business. We’dgotten along great, but then Eric had been offered a sweet job in New York.Nikki and I had both been surprised when he left, because he’d been doing sowell at her company, and there was so much room for growth. But Eric had starsin his eyes, and they tossed a lot of money at him and offered him all sorts ofperks. From what he said, though, it didn’t fit his personality. He was a cogin the machine, and he hated it. He’d come back, and Nikki eventually offeredhim his old job again. Now I’m technically his boss, which to Eric’s credit,hasn’t seemed to weird him out at all. That’s one thing I always liked abouthim. He’s about the work more than the position.

He takes a step forward and peers at my computer. “You stillhaven’t shown me the platform.”