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“Time?”

“To talk about what happened between us.”

I sigh, crossing my arms. “I'm not sure there's much to say.”

“It seems like there is since again, you’ve been avoiding me.”

“I've been busy.”

“For the past seven days?” His voice is gentle but persistent. “We live in the same house right now, and you've managed to never be alone with me.”

Heat rises to my face. “Fine. Yes, I've been avoiding you.”

“Why?”

The question hangs between us. Why indeed? Because I can't think straight around him? Because one night has dismantled the careful boundaries of our arrangement? Because I'm terrified of what it means that I want it to happen again?

“It was a mistake.” The words roll out of me, leaving a sour taste on my tongue. “One that won't happen again.”

His jaw tightens. His expression clouds. Is it hurt or disappointment that flashed in those eyes? I’m not sure but it smoothens as fast as it appeared.

“I see.”

“Our arrangement is professional, Sean. Getting... physical complicates things.”

“It already is complicated,” he points out.

“All the more reason not to make it worse.” I check my watch, needing an escape. “I really do have calls waiting.”

He studies me for a long moment, then nods once. “If that's what you want.”

“It is.”

He rises to his feet. “Then consider the subject closed.”

The words should bring relief. Instead, they leave me hollow.

Sean walks to the door, then pauses. “For what it's worth, Wren, I don't think it was a mistake.”

Before I can respond, he's gone.

And it takes everything in me not to call after him.

I sink deeper into my chair, feeling exhausted. The meeting's success fades against the heaviness in my chest.

I should feel better. Like I’ve taken back control.

But all I feel is a loud, overwhelming, and mocking emptiness.

I press my palms against my eyes. Everything is such a mess. My company is at last recovering from the scandal. My son needs stability. My fake relationship is spinning out of control. And now my heart is involved in ways I never anticipated.

The last time I gave my heart to someone, he walked away. I swore I'd never put myself in that position again, never risk Eric experiencing that kind of abandonment twice.

Sean isn't Eric's father. He isn't even my boyfriend. He's a business arrangement with benefits I never should have sampled.

So why can't I stop imagining what it would be like if it were real? If the man who looks at me like I'm something precious, who plays soccer with my son, who stands beside me when my world is crumbling, was mine?

I shake my head, squaring my shoulders.