Page 63 of Getting Down to Business

Chapter 13

“I swear if you don’t wipe that fucking smile off your face I’m going to hack my doughnut all over your desk.”

“Good morning to you too, Doug,” Gray said as he sat at his desk unloading his messenger bag. “What’s your problem?”

“I’m sorry. I asked Julie if I could keep Lucy overnight on Saturday. We were having so much fun with Chanda, and Luce begged me to make her rabbit pancakes for breakfast.”

“And Julie said no.”

“She said no with that hoity-toity attitude that drives me nuts. I actually think she enjoys torturing me. How did I not know she was evil when I married her?”

“Women are cunning beings. Maybe we would notice if we could look away from their boobs for a few seconds.”

Doug laughed at that and shook his head.

“I don’t just enjoy Chan for her boobs—as wonderful as they are. It’s her. She has this way of looking at things that blows my mind. It must be the artist thing. I see something and then she mentions things like lines and color and depth, and bam! I’m seeing it completely differently and it’s beautiful.”

“Maybe she’s a witch. Have you eaten any apples she’s offered you?”

“No apples. And trust me, if she was a witch I think she would have used her powers to turn Julie into a toad. She was as angry as I was. She loves Lucy. And Luce loves her too. I’m telling you this woman is everything I didn’t know I could ever have.”

Grayson’s thoughts turned to Alyssa and how she was everything he wanted in a woman. With the big exception of how she refused to be in a committed relationship. That was a bit of an obstacle. But maybe one day he could win her trust. He wasn’t giving up.

“Liss seems to be more than just boobs to you,” Doug noted.

“Yeah.” Gray could only shrug.

“From what you’ve said, she’s a great roommate. You’re still sleeping with her, which must mean it’s good. What more could you want?” It was a valid question. Was it worth it to push her until she left just to be able to say they were in a relationship? Then he’d have nothing. At least for now he had what she was willing to give.

“I don’t know. On that first night, we decided there wouldn’t be any bullshit between us. No expectations. Just honesty. The thing is, I would be okay with more if it was with Alyssa.”

Doug wiggled his finger at him. “You like her.”

“Yeah. I told you I like her.”

“No. No. Not like that. Like her like love her.”

“I don’t,” Gray said a little too quickly. “I don’t,” he repeated for emphasis. He couldn’t, she’d made it clear that kind of thing was against the rules.

“We’ll see.”

“I hate to make your day even worse, but it’s time for our meeting.” Grayson wanted to end the conversation.

“I heard we’re doing team-building stuff today. You want to be my partner?”

“No.”

Doug fake-coughed the word love as they left Grayson’s office.

* * * *

Teambuilding? Alyssa held in her groan and looked across the table at an expectant Grayson. His nod in her direction communicated his intent clearly. Did she want to be his partner for this stupid exercise?

A quick glance around the room provided little alternatives. At least Gray wouldn’t cause her to cringe if there was any kind of physical contact involved.

She nodded back.

“Okay everyone pair up. Take out your phones and hand them over to the other person.” There was a shuffling of people. Most people finding the person they worked with the most. She noticed one person take the opportunity to leave, and wished she’d thought of it first.