Page 41 of Sexting My Best Friend's Brothers
“Yes, sir,” she whispers.
I walk past her. I force myself not to look back. I force myself to ignore the way her scent clings to the air.
I just broke her. I saw it happen.
And God help me, I have to keep walking.
I’m still in my office with the blinds drawn tight, because if I look out there, I’ll go to her. I will drag her into this office, lock the door, and finish what we started on the conference table.
And that cannot happen.
I pace the length of the room. My skin feels too tight.
I check my watch. She should be leaving soon.
A murmur of voices drifts in from the bullpen.
I stop moving. I step to the blinds, cracking them just a fraction of an inch.
Owen is leaning against Tessa’s desk. He’s holding a bottle of champagne. He’s smiling at her—that easy, charming smile that makes everyone feel like they’re the only person in the room.
“You have the ‘murder face’ on,” he says to her.
Tessa is looking up at him. She looks exhausted. Wrecked. But as Owen talks, her shoulders drop. A small smile touches her lips.
He touches her hand.
My grip on the blind slat tightens until the plastic bends.
Don’t touch her, Owen.
But he does. He covers her hand with his. He leans in close, whispering something that makes her blush.
Tessa glances at my closed door. I can see the conflict in her eyes. She’s looking for me. She’s waiting for me to come out and stop this. To claim her.
Come on, Tess, I urge silently. Tell him no. Tell him you work for me.
But she doesn’t.
She stands up, grabs her purse, and lets Owen take her arm.
I watch them walk toward the elevators. Owen says something else, and she laughs—a quiet sound carries across the office before they step into the elevator and the doors slide shut.
I let go of the blinds. They snap back into place with a sharp clack.
I walk back to my desk and sink into the chair.
I won. I pushed her away. I protected the company.
I pull my phone out and open the photo of the red dress.
Which one guarantees I get laid?
“Looks like you found out, Tessa,” I whisper to the empty room.
I toss the phone onto the desk.
9
