Page 18 of Mr. Red

My head is confused. At least I won’t have to see him tomorrow. I can clear my head of any thoughts having to do with him. Like his sexy body. Cute grin. Tight a—

I startle as my phone goes off. I half expect it to be him. My face drops when Lana’s name lights up instead. The reaction is strange.

“Hey!” I smile like Lana can see me on the other end. “What happened to you guys this morning? You gave up on me!”

When I left my house earlier, Paige was on the floor with her legs propped up on the sofa and Lana was sprawled out on the couch with an arm over her eyes. They both have a key, so I wasn’t worried about the house being locked up.

“I know. How did we go so hard on movie night?” she sighs. “Sorry, Scar, we had good intentions. Instead, I woke up with Paige’s feet in my face!”

I start laughing. “You guys feeling okay? Have you moved yet?”

“I’m struggling a bit, but you know Paige. Bright and chipper little thing woke me up like she’d had ten pounds of caffeine. She started making calls.”

“To whom?” I ask, my voice a higher octave than usual. Paige has never committed to anyone, so maybe the first person she called is someone who she’s dating.

“Don’t get excited. They were work calls. Rescheduling, which had to happen first thing this morning apparently.”

“Huh.” I scrunch my lips around. “So, Mr. Red asked me to meet up with him as an apology during our training session. Do you think that’s a date if I don’t kiss him or drive with him?”

“Meet up with him? I’m pretty sure that’s code for date.”

“But this one wouldn’t be. I specifically told him we would never date since he’s a client. Not to mention a jerk.”

“Regardless, I’m pretty sure he’s thinking it’s a date.”

“Okay, well, I have to call him to talk about our plans. I just won’t call him and then there’s absolutely no date.”

“That would work,” she states, taking a long pause. “Except you won’t see him.”

“That’s fine by me.”

“You still sticking to that story?”

“Lana! Shut up! I haven’t had enough coffee to deal with you. I must go! Thanks, byyyeee.”

Brat.

I throw my phone down to the side of me on the table. Matt’s card is in my hand. I stare at it, contemplating calling him. There’s no harm if we’re just hanging out. I do want to see him.

My leg bounces up and down. I grab my phone and dial one of the numbers from his card before throwing my phone back down on the table.

I can’t date a client under any circumstances. Lana clarified calling him would be like a date. I have to avoid him.

I should throw his card out. There’s no reason for me to have access to calling him.

Instead, I put his card in my purse—just in case.

Chapter 13

Scarlett

The next morning my hip is feeling much better after a long, hot bath and some ice.

Coffee is calling, so I head to the kitchen. I look at my phone, to see what I have planned for today as it brews.

Take a Morning Hike