Page 20 of Exchange of Heart

We walked to the counter and placed our order.

Long Lashes combed her fingers through the golden tangles of her hair and nodded. ‘You know, Nora, I’m really sorry you didn’t get that promotion.’

I crossed my arms over my chest and accidentally punched my right breast in the process. My eyes watered at the sensational ache that pounded through my boob.

‘Oh, I didn’t mean to upset you.’ She placed her hand on my shoulder.

I ached to shrug her touch away, but I had no idea how close she was with Nora. ‘It’s a little disappointing, but Freddie obviously deserved the position. I’m sure he’ll do a great job.’

Her sympathetic smile lowered to uncertainty, and she finally removed her hand from me. ‘You can’t be serious?’

‘Of course I am. Management knows what they’re doing. They’ve always got their eyes on us, even when we don’t think they do.’ I should know. I once watched a guy win solitaire for two hours straight through the reflection of a window behind his screen in the afternoon sun.

‘Nora, Freddie was nowhere near as perfect for Terry’s job as you. I mean, seriously, haven’t you been watching him pace his office all morning? I remember seeing Terry’s to-do list on his desk before he left. Deadline after deadline, all mapped out, but far too long and intimidating for the likes of Freddie.’

‘I’m sure he’s got it all under control. He probably paces to figure things out. Like a stress walker or something.’

‘Just don’t stop believing in yourself,’ she said.

The man behind the counter called our number. I stood and grabbed our food while she hung her decorative bag back on her shoulder. I mean, seriously, she could probably fit no more than a credit card and phone in there.

‘Never have, never will.’ I grinned with the full force of Nora’s irritatingly cheerful smile.

Making it home at almost five in the evening to Nora’s – my – shocked face in the living room wasn’t the welcome home I’d expected. On my toes, I reached for the hook hammered far too high for this body in the beige wall to hang my keys. This apartment would taunt me until my dick was snug in my briefs again. A tiny stitch of composure unravelled at not knowing how we’d make that happen, and panic crept back in.

‘Why did you leave work so early?’ she gasped.

‘I didn’t. I left at four-thirty.’

‘Which is basically early,’ she exploded.

Nora threw her arms to the side and whacked the leather couch. The way she used my voice to deliver a scolding like a mother made my lips shrivel. How dare she make me sound so maternal. I’ve been known to win beer pong, deliver the best right hook in Muay Thai, and turn an unproductive department into high achievers, but never once have I been known for scolding with such a whiny undertone.

‘No amount of ass-kissing is going to get you that job. Now, can we focus on switching back?’ The torturous heels flew from my feet to the corner by the coat rack.

‘Yes, because if we don’t, you’re going to ruin my career.’ She stalked to the kitchen and poured an expensive bottle of merlot into a crystal glass.

‘No, please. Help yourself to everything you can’t afford.’

The sting of my words hit me before they’d even made it to Nora’s ears. When it came to her and Paddy, there wasn’t much difference. Both of them worked hard with what they had, but here I was being a certified douchebag to a woman who’d had her sole career goal ripped out from beneath her.

She placed her hands on her hips and glared at me. ‘I poured this for you.’

My cheeks warmed, and my face softened. ‘For me?’

‘Yeah, for you. Unless you don’t want it?’ She shrugged.

‘No, I do. I just…’

How could I explain to her that no one aside from Paddy offered thoughtful gestures like these to me? I was Corey Flemmington. Work asshole, tough best friend, the ball and chain of my family.

‘Normal people usually say thank you.’ She handed me the glass, then sat on a wooden bar stool and leaned an elbow on the counter.

‘Thank you.’ The unfamiliar word sat in my mouth.

I pulled out the seat next to her and drummed my fingers on the white marble countertop. One sip of wine, and my blood sizzled and raced through my veins as another stitch of composure came loose. Thread by thread, I was losing my cool. ‘Have you pissed off any witches lately?’ I asked.

‘Loads.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘You?’