Page 22

TWENTY-TWO

Kinsley

As I’m nearing my apartment door, I slow, eyeballing the suspicious package sitting outside in the hallway. Is this some sort of odd welcome package from Cherry Bid? Like, “ Congratulations on selling your body; here’s a box of chocolates.”

It’s kinda odd, but if they want to send me free chocolate, who am I to say no?

So I scoop up the box, balancing it under one arm while I unlock the door, and toss it on the kitchen island once I get inside.

What is that? Colin greets me with a quick hug, something new he’s been doing since we found out about the surgery.

“I’m not sure,” I respond, making sure to face him while I take off my heels and drop my purse by the front door. “Maybe I have a secret admirer.”

That’s better than telling him that some random man, possibly an eighty year old who can’t get it up, is paying me a bunch of money to explore my previously uncharted territory and may have sent me a gift. Yeah, secret admirer is much safer.

He rolls his eyes, quickly ripping the box open, and freezes. It’s for me.

Really? Who’s it from? My brows scrunch as I make my way over to the island and peer at the handwritten note he’s pulling from the box.

Colin,

Turns out, I have a client who works with RL Stine and was able to get my hands on an early copy of his new book. I’ve also taken the liberty of including the Hardy Boys, a favorite of mine growing up and the Key House books that were recommended to me by a friend. I hope you enjoy. Don’t tell your sister; I’d hate for her to think I’m a nice guy.

Your new friend,

Brantley

Don’t ask me why my throat tightens and my heart stumbles as it tries to beat its way out of my chest because I have no idea. It’s just books, right? But at the same time, books are so much more than pages stamped with ink. Brantley paid attention. He listened. And not only did Brantley find a way to get an early copy of Colin’s favorite author’s new book, but he gave him a bit of himself. Of his childhood.

Why does he have to make things so difficult?

I already have mixed feelings when it comes to him; well, really all my bosses. They’re way older than me, heavy handed, demanding, and ridiculous. Not to mention, they have this horrible reputation at the firm.

Granted, they’ve been fine with me, but I can’t forget the secretary before me left crying. That’s still a possibility. A very real possibility.

I shouldn’t be attracted to any of them, but here we are. Especially after being in the elevator sandwiched between Wyatt and Maverick for a ride that felt like hours.

And then there’s Brantley. He’s been hot and cold all week. First, he’s demanding the barista make a new coffee, one that doesn’t have his number on the cup, and then he’s out of the office for days.

If only I was meeting them at the hotel tomorrow.

Wait.

No.

That’s not right.

I’m delusional. Overworked. Clearly, not thinking straight.

Colin already has all the books pulled out, fervently reading the back synopsis of each one. This is amazing. Can you thank him for me? I can’t believe he did this. Your boss is so cool.

“Of course.” His enthusiasm is infectious, and I can’t seem to wipe the smile from my face, signing as I talk. “This was really nice of him. How do you feel about pizza and video games tonight?”

He scrunches his nose, looking at me with disbelief. You’re going to play?

“Why not?”

Because you’re terrible.

“Ha. Ha. Ha.” I stick out my tongue, propping my hands on my hips. “Would you rather tell me about your week? About the girl you like?”

No. He quickly signs, his smile tilting to a frown. She’s got a boyfriend now. I can’t wait to be normal. Did they get my surgery scheduled?

It was the first thing I did when I got done texting my book club gals and verified half the funds—minus their fee—was deposited in my account.

“March fourteenth. That way you’ll recover during spring break and will likely only miss another week.” I lean across the island, pointing at him, and sigh. “You know you’re normal, right? Even without the implant.”

He shrugs, his attention going back to the books. He can brush it off all he wants, but I know it bothers him. If I could go back in time and slap the shit out of my parents, I would. They’d deserve it.

I push away from the island and pull him in for a hug. Usually he pushes me away like a typical teenager and tells me how gross I am, but not tonight. He slips his arms around my waist and lets me hold him in a tight embrace for several seconds.

He squirms away from me and rapidly signs. Don’t make this weird.

I would never, I sign back, giving him a wide smile. So, pizza?

I get another shrug, but at least this one is accompanied by a smirk. So, I do what any good big sister would do. I order us way too much pizza, brownies for dessert, and play Call of Duty so terribly he begs me to stop. I don’t think about my bosses. I don’t think about tomorrow. And I sure as hell don’t think about what I’m giving up, or the risk I’ll be taking.

Tomorrow is a new day, but tonight I’m going to live in the present.