Page 47 of Blue Line

She doesn’t answer, simply picks up her clutch, grabs the bag containing our desserts, and heads toward the door. Guess that’s my answer. I rush to catch up with her, putting my hand on the small of her back.

Fuck, I enjoy touching her.

Max greets us at the door and snaps a few more pictures. I hope he got to eat too, and on the team’s dime. It’s the least they could do. He asks us what we had for dinner, and I tell him about the selfies I plan to share on my social media account.

“Sounds great,” he says as we make our way out to where our car is waiting for us. “I’ll work on editing this content and get it posted tomorrow.”

“Thank you.”

“Have a good night,” Hadley says with a wave.

“You too.” He turns and hurries across the parking lot.

“Where to, sir?” the driver asks when Hadley and I are settled in the backseat.

I glance over at her as she’s stifling a yawn. Maybe she isn’t in a rush to go home because she’s not having fun, but rather because she’s tired. That makes me feel better.

“Home, please. Unless you want to do something else?” I address my question to Hadley.

She shakes her head, holding up the dessert. “Nope. We’ve got chocolate cake and a salted caramel brownie, so I’m good to go home.”

Home.

I like the way the word sounds coming from her. Never has it sounded so sweet. I want her to think of my condo as her home too. Maybe one day.

I lean back against the seat, relaxing as someone else navigates the road. Not going to lie, it was nice not to have to drive tonight.

“So, I heard from John today,” I tell Hadley when we’re back at my place.

“About the PJ company?”

“Yeah.” I fiddle with the keys in my hand, then finally set them down on the kitchen counter. “They want to do the photo shoot at the end of the week.” Hadley hums, and I press on. “There’s a problem, though.”

“What’s that?” She tilts her head, studying me.

“They want to photograph us unwrapping presents in front of a Christmas tree, wearing their pajamas.”

“Oh-kay? We already talked about that.”

“And kissing …”

The two words hang in the air between us as the silence stretches into uncomfortable territory. I knew this was a bad idea. I should have told John the truth, that this was all fake, because this is when it’s going to fall apart. I just know it.

“Okay.”

My mouth gapes open. “Okay?”

“It’s just a kiss, Weston Oliver. I’ve kissed plenty of guys.”

I grind my teeth, shoving the idea of Hadley kissing other guys out of my head. “Not my middle name, Hadley Jane.”

She taps a finger against her lips, and all I can do is track the movement, wondering what it’ll be like kissing her.

“Damn it. I should have told you I’d kiss you if you told me your middle name.”

I grin. “Too late.”

I’m glad she’s lightening the mood because damn, did it get hot in here. I shift on my feet, pulling at the back of my neck.