Page 63 of Fierce Storm
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“No, I’m good. And relieved. How did you do it?”
“Keeley—”
“Is that where you were yesterday? Did you fly to Colorado? What’s he like? Is it all official or just a verbal deal at this point?”I know it’s wrong to slam him with questions, and from the look on his face, he can see right through my attempt to distract him. Yet, when I stop talking and offer him a genuine smile, he relaxes.
“It’s official. His agent called about an hour ago confirming the news, and to reiterate the deal, Beckett called himself. I only just hung up with him when Tabitha buzzed me to tell me you were here.” Sal frowns when he says that out loud, his brows pulling into a furrow. “Why was that?”
“Why was what?”
“Since when do you have Tabitha announce you?”
Since I was awkward about the information I no longer have to tell you.“I have no idea what happened there. I’ve been so busy, I don’t know whether I’m coming or going.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, like I said before, you and I are good.”
“Okay. Good. Great. Want a drink to celebrate Beckett?”
“A drink? At eleven a.m.?”
“Yes. I’m in desperate need of a coffee. “
“Oh, right, yes. I just have to grab my purse from my office.”
Sal stares at me pointedly, his face pinched as though I offended him. “You don’t need your purse. I’ve got it. I need to get out of here. It’s been a long, stressful morning.”
“Okay.” I laugh. “Let’s go.”
Sal’s palm hovers near my lower back as we exit the office, and I swear I can feel an electric current between us. None the wiser, he waves to Tabitha as he walks past. “Coffee, Tabitha?”
“No, thank you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, sir.”
Sal nods as we continue on our way and for the first time, I don’t comment or laugh when Tabitha says “sir,” signifying a shift in our relationship. One that neither of us acknowledges.
And a weight settles in my chest. Only…
Maybe it’s for the best.
I have to be a professional. Both of our lives will be so much easier if we can go back to the way things were. And I, for one, am going to try.
Chapter Eighteen
KEELEY
FOUR MONTHS LATER
It’s so dark in my room when my alarm goes off that I picture the birds telling me to shut the fuck up and go back to bed, making me smile as I open my eyes.
Four a.m.
