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It’s something left over from my summers with Gunner before my time with him was cut short by Dare’s need for me to be close. He laughs, drawing me out of the war I’m fighting inside. Eventually, I’ll have to pick. Give up Taron and stay in Dumas with Dare. Or abandon Dare and go wherever Taron goes.

“Miss you.”

“I miss you too, kiddo.”

“See Syn soon.”

“That’s up to your dad, Gunner.”

“About that, Syn. What he means is we’ll be seeing you soon. The dean for the university asked me to make an appearance for the team’s first home game. We can discuss the logistics on a different call. Text me your next availability. In the meantime, start looking at clearing your schedule on the fourteenth.”

We are heading toward September already. Where did the time go?Spending it with Mr. Hotness next to you. Biting down on my smile, I nod, the change in plan somehow not stressing me out when a week ago, I would be pacing, wondering what I can take out without upsetting the balance of my life. Or causing a ripple effect if I took time away from Dare or Riley.

Before I can dwell on how calm I am, “a week ago” sinks in. We are moving too fast. Flustered, I sputter, “Text you tomorrow, Beau. Good night, Gunner!”

I give Beau time to hand the iPad over to Gunner, and Gunner says good night before I end the call.

“Syn?”

“Yes?” I reach over and set the iPad on my nightstand.

“We’re moving too fast, aren’t we?”

Oh, God, he can read my mind too.

“Our talk on our way to Dare’s—”

“We never finished talking, Syn. What’s your take, babe? If you want to slow down, I’m in.”

“You don’t want to spend time with me?” No, no, no, I cannot be one of those girls. Taron is giving me what I want, and I am turning it around and saying he doesn’t want to give me what I want. He must find this so confusing!

“Every second and minute of every day. But I understand it can get to be too much. People need space. Need friends and a life separate from who they would rather spend all their time with.”

And I completely understand. Even Dare gets it too. That’s why he makes his insane asks of my time when he sees an opening in my calendar. Some would call him selfish. I go easy on him and say he is considerate.

“How’d you get so wise?” I ask.

“I’m not. We’ll get wise together.”

Of course. “Our work in progress.”

“Yes, baby.”

We slide under the covers, and he pulls me close. Resting my head on his shoulder, I curl into him and set my hand on his chest. I should fall asleep, happy, but I can’t. What Hunter said earlier still bothers me.

“Taron, what if I were to ask that we not have sex until you stop paying my wages? Can that be a part of our work in progress?”

“You’re serious.”

He looks down at me the same time I glance up. I don’t need to see his face to know he is unhappy. I heard it in his voice.

“That’s going backward, Syn.”

“It’s the right thing to do. Technically, you’re my boss. If anyone were to find out—”

“I’d tell them to stay the fuck out of our business.”

“Hunter—”