Page 87 of Miss Understanding

“I’m at the grocery store. I didn’t get a chance to shop yet this week.”

“I wasn’t sure if you were ignoring my text or just still out.”

“A bit of the first and all of the second.”

I smiled at her sassy response. “I took out my anger at myself for crossing a line on you. For that, I’m sorry.”

Her sigh was the only sound on the other end.

“Are you still there?”

“Yes. I am. And we can agree to no more office sex, but just don’t talk down to me ever again.”

I swallowed hard at the reminder of what a prick I’d been. “I won’t. Are we okay?”

“I think so. I mean boundaries are tough considering we work together. Do you still want me to come over after work on Friday?”

Relief finally made the tightness in my chest ease. “Yes. Definitely.”

“All right. Have a good night, Liam.”

“You, too.” I hung up, wondering not for the first time if I could treat her the way she deserved.

Chapter Forty-One

Kendall

I’d never been the type to hold a grudge. That’s why accepting Liam’s apology two days ago had been easy. But it didn’t mean, as I sat at my desk on a Thursday afternoon, I didn’t second-guess if in the long term, this relationship, or lack thereof, was a good idea. Case in point, Valentine’s Day.

It was the Hallmark holiday today, and I kept telling myself it didn’t matter, yet I kept wondering if he’d do something. Send secret flowers. Send a text asking me to come over for dinner tonight after class. Get me a box of chocolates. Something. But so far, it was after lunch and nothing. Because nothing was what a non-boyfriend did. Right?

I found myself disappointed. Then again, we’d see each other tomorrow night. Maybe he’d have something romantic planned then? I glanced up mid-thought to see Phillip, the managing partner, walking up to my desk.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Kinkaid. Mr. Davenport is finishing up a conference call.” My phone set’s panel showed Liam’s light was still on, but I knew he only had a few minutes left.

“Thanks. I’ll talk to him after he’s done, but first I wanted to speak with you.”

“With me?” My voice went up an octave while my mind instantly went back to Tuesday when Liam had me bent over his desk at lunchtime. Had someone heard us? Was something reported?

Phillip gave me a kind smile. “Yes. It seems Stephen Walsh was quite taken with your fresh perspective on the homeless which, as you’re aware, is a passion of his. Anyhow, he gave us an invitation for two people to attend a black-tie dinner tomorrow night at his home in Beverly Hills. He asked for you to be one of those people.”

Phillip was studying me as if I’d know why a client would do such a thing. “I, um, that’s a surprise.” Shit. I could feel my face turning red.

Then the door to my boss’s office opened. Liam did a quick glance between us, a frown marring his otherwise perfect face.

“What’s going on?” he asked a bit too forcefully with a hint of accusation. Or maybe it was my imagination.

Phillip was the one to speak because, frankly, I didn’t know what to say.

“I was telling Kendall about Stephen Walsh’s request to have her attend the dinner tomorrow night.”

Narrowed eyes, throbbing temple. Stiff posture. It was as if we were back to the beginning, before we were sleeping together, where I was just Ms. Tate, and he was still the dick I wrote secret entries about in the document I’d deleted last week. Perhaps it had been premature to do so.

“I see,” Liam finally said.

Phillip smiled. “Don’t worry. I’m sure she’ll make a much better date than I would. Can you make it tomorrow night, Kendall? I realize it’s last minute. The event starts at seven o’clock. As I said, it’s black tie, and the firm will pay for a car to pick you up.”

The timing couldn’t be worse. I had to work at the bar. I didn’t have a thing to wear. And I didn’t owe the firm this inconvenience in my life. On the other hand, it was flattering to have made an impression on a client. One who’d requested me. One who didn’t seem to care I was only a secretary. Unlike Liam, who appeared absolutely annoyed with the idea.