Page 48 of Antagonist

I smile and hold her hand. Even though things didn’t work out for us, I’m glad we still have each other. Which is why I can’t hide certain things from her.

“My old boss has been calling. They want me back.”

“We can’t move back, Harrison. Megan is settled at school and—”

“Wait. Don’t jump to conclusions.” I squeeze her hand. “I’m only telling you they’re calling because I don’t want to hide it from you. I’m not going back.”

“What if they make you an offer you can’t resist?”

I look down at the carpet because I don’t know what to say. I can't tell her about the contract they sent me, offering me everything I've ever wanted and more. The partnership I worked so hard for all those years.

I declined as many calls as I could until they became too persistent. They just said they want me back and to think about it. Which I have, so I told them I’m not moving back to Boston.

End of story.

Not much point thinking about it when it’s not currently an option.

“Anyway, what’s this about you and ‘Gigi's dad?’” she asks with air quotes when she references Fletcher.

I stand up. “I’m off. You have a wonderful dinner with Megan.”

She laughs. “You sure you don’t want to come?”

“Yeah, I’m sure. I have some stuff to work on for tomorrow.”

I’m by the door when she calls me.

“Hey, Harrison. In the spirit of not hiding things from each other, I just wanted to tell you that things with Mike are good…like really good.”

“That’s…good.”

She winces but immediately covers it up with a smile.

“Hey, I’m happy for you,” I say. “I am. When the time comes for me to meet the guy, I promise to be nice.”

She smiles, and this time it’s more genuine. “Being nice and not giving him the third degree are entirely different things.”

I shrug. “There have to be some perks to being the ex.”

“You’re an ass,” she says, pushing me out the door.

As soon as I’m home, I fix myself a sandwich, grab a beer from the fridge, and take both to the office, where a stack of files waits for me.

An evening of losing myself in work is just what I need to take my mind off Stella and how easily she’s settling in and moving on, going as far as finding romance.

I especially need to take my mind off Fletcher and the kiss that so very nearly turned into something else before George called for his dad.

God, the way Fletcher melted into my touch, let me explore. I’ve never in my life felt as if I held so much of someone in my hands.

My dick is like a steel rod again.

What would have happened if we hadn’t been interrupted?

The more I tasted of Fletcher, the more I wanted. And this afternoon, I definitely wanted him more than I’ve ever wanted anything before.

“Fuck this.” I leave my food and work behind and head straight to the bathroom.

I turn the shower on and remove my clothes so quickly that the water doesn’t have time to warm up before I step under the spray.