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But what’s done was done. No way could I pull him now. Not unless shit went south.
I had to depend on the man to put his feelings aside and do the job he was hired to do.
“What’s the situation there? Any more troubles?”
“Just the usual, from what I understand. Sloane still insists there’s no need for me, that it was just some unruly fans who got out of hand.”
“The fact that there were unruly fans is the exact reason there’s a need for you.” I tapped on my cell phone screen but saw no more messages from Kelly. “What about her manager? Is she still on board?”
“Yeah.” Something scraped against his phone, and when he spoke again, his voice was muffled. “There’s been a fight or two between them. Monica is pushing for security and Sloane is pushing against.”
A sigh heaved out of my chest. “You let me know if you have any problems?”
“Will do, boss.”
After we hung up, I tried to get some work done. Approving payments, looking over the financials Jen put together for me, trying to focus on the schedule Joss had placed on my desk. My focus was split between all the things I needed to do and the blank cell phone screen. Right before lunch, a text came through and I snatched my cell off the desktop.
Little Hellion: I think I need to go shopping. I’m low on clothes.
A photo came through before I could tap out a response. Kelly was dressed in a pair of her leggings and still had on my shirt. It was so big on her that one whole shoulder was bared.
Me: I see nothing wrong.
Little Hellion: I’m not sure this is appropriate attire for finding a new job.
That smile I couldn’t seem to keep off my face came back as I sat back in my chair and sucked in a deep breath. At the same time, relief washed through me. That my words had gotten through to her. That she wanted to do more than strip for strangers.
Me: You look beautiful in anything. Or nothing.
Me: Swing by if you need some cash.
Me: Or a kiss.
Me: Fuck. I love you.
Seconds after that last message, my phone rang. Then Kelly’s gorgeous voice rasped on the other end, “I love you too.”
“Miss you, baby.”
“Do you?”
My heart clenched. “More than anything. Can’t stop thinking about you. Why did I come to work again?”
She fuckin’ giggled and it broke me. “To make money so you could loan it to me so I can buy some clothes?”
“Kelly—”
“I don’t want to live here rent free, Lee,” she said, all lightness gone from her voice. “I’m going to get my life together and pay you back.”
“Don’t need to—”
“But I’m going to. I need this. I need to feel like I have a purpose or I’m just going to fall back into old habits, and I don’t want that.”
“Don’t want that either.”
“So. Um.” Kelly paused, and I could just see her on the other end—finger twisting in her hair, lips pressed into a line, the way she always was when she was too afraid to ask for something. “Can I borrow some money? I’m not sure I have enough to buy myself some decent clothes.”
“You know you can. I’ll give you whatever you need.”
