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I just need a little more time to figure out my next steps.

My boss nods. “Good man. Let me know when it’s done. I need it sometime this week.”

I say, “You got it, boss.”

But I’m thinking, I need to find Charli.

THIRTY-THREE

CHARLI

I cannot get this giddy smile off my face today.

Ever since my weekend with Lucas, everything has felt…lighter. Happier. I never want to be that girl who needs a man to complete her life, but I can’t ignore the fact that having someone to have fun with, that you have a lot in common with and can have real conversations with, makes my days better. Even waking up to Lucas leaving my favorite Pop-Tart flavor on the counter—when did he take note of my favorite flavor?—made my day better.

Maybe I don’t need to keep this thing with us as casual as I thought. He seems into it, right? I’m not imagining his interest. Originally, I didn’t want to pursue anything because I thought he was only good for a good time, but the more I learn about Lucas, the more I like him.

He’s nothing like my father.

After attempting—and failing—to keep Lucas off my mind, I finally decide to make a visit to the office with the hope that he can squeeze in a quick afternoon break.

I look around his apartment, debating bringing him something to eat. Knowing him, he probably didn’t eat lunch. So before I leave for the office, I grab one of the Kraft mac ‘n’ cheese containers that he loves but will never admit he enjoys.

“Hey, Charli,” Samantha greets with a smile. “You need anything?”

I shake my head. “Just here to ask Lucas something,” I say awkwardly.

Her lips make a silent ah sound. “He should still be in his office. I just stepped out to the kitchen, but when I left, he was in there with Randall.”

I perk up at that. I’ve done plenty of research on the professor, but I’ve never met him. This might be a good opportunity to pick his brain on a few questions I’ve come up with.

I’m quiet as I approach Lucas’s cracked office door, not wanting to startle them. I’ll just wait for a pause in the conversation, then I’ll knock and⁠—

“…no woman can say no to you; I’ve seen it. We need to put it to good use.”

Something about that tone makes me freeze in place. I’ve heard that voice…

And then the words register.

What the fuck?

“I’m not telling you to sleep with the old hag. Just…flirt with her a little bit. She’s been widowed for the last decade, so she’ll probably fold under some male attention.”

I think I stop breathing entirely. That’s Lucas’s boss. And he’s telling him to sleep with a client? Why??

“Is the merger a bad move for the company?” That’s Lucas.

My stomach drops through the floor. Because why the fuck is that his question? Why isn’t he pushing back on this insane request?

“Probably. I get the feeling Halcyon is going to take the company in a completely different direction. But that’s none of our business. We just need to organize the sale.”

My eyes squeeze closed as the situation fully registers. Lucas is being told to seduce a client into signing some shitty detail. And he’s not saying no.

I’m an idiot. A blind, naïve idiot.

Why did I ever think he’d be anyone other than the person he shows to the world? I’ve seen too many things, heard too many conversations, to be surprised to find out this is who Lucas is. Even the pro bono work shouldn’t have been enough to blind me, because plenty of lawyers take on that kind of work on the side. It’s how they round out their portfolio. It shouldn’t have been enough to convince me that Lucas isn’t the status and money-hungry lawyer he portrays himself as. I knew this was what his firm stood for, and by his connection, Lucas.

I try to swallow the tears welling up. Because it hurts. It hurts to be this wrong about him. Especially after telling him about my dad and how important it was to me to never be around someone like that again.