Page 26 of Fair Trade (New York Monarchs #2)

twenty-two

I raise a brow at Luisa’s tone.

I wasn’t expecting a warm welcome, but this isn’t exactly what I envisioned either.

I lasted a measly three days before I succumbed and emailed Luisa directly. I kept it professional, not wanting to stir the pot too soon.

She responded by cc’ing Marla and her entire team, asking them to take the lead on a simple question that she could have answered with a few words.

But I’ve made my bed and had to lie in it.

Alone. Unless you count Delilah, but she’s known to be quite the bed hog, so I regularly send her down to her massive custom-made dog bed before I’m able to actually fall asleep.

Which has been a rare occurrence. And when I do drift off, my dreams of Luisa have been replaced with nightmares. Ones with her dressed in white, marrying someone whose face I can’t see and, therefore, can’t punch.

I had my reasons for leaving. I must have. Though I can’t remember a single one worthy of keeping me away for so long.

Daisy certainly hasn’t been any help, frequently posting pictures with Luisa while at away games, smiling from ear to ear.

I’ve tried to discreetly ask my sweet sister about Luisa, but that led to a surprising response. One that included “Get your head out of your ass and fix whatever you did to my friend.”

So here I am, back with my tail between my legs, trying to figure out how to erase the past month from Luisa’s memory and somehow ease my way back into her good graces.

That is, until I spot her footwear.

She’s wearing black sneakers, something she only dons when she’s on her period. A fact I’ve read time and time again since I spent an outrageous amount of time rereading our old emails.

Which is why I know she probably feels like crap and should be at home resting.

“Go home.” My words come out harsher than expected. I can’t help but be irrationally upset with Luisa’s cycle. I want her home, with a heating pad and a plethora of snacks at her disposal.

And if I dared dream a bit too hard, that home would be with me.

She places her hands on her hips, a fighting stance in her book. “Excuse me? This is my office, and that is my chair. You have five seconds to get the fuck out of it.”

A smile blooms on my face without permission.

Ah, how I’ve missed her.

“And before you go running off to HR, remember that it was you who told me that’s exactly what I should say to anyone who dared take my rightful place.” She tilts her head, eyes studying me. “Or was that all bullshit too?”

My scowl is back in full force.

I told myself I wouldn’t engage in any arguments with Luisa since I am, in fact, trying to rebuild some of what we lost. But it seems like I’m going to have to set the record straight on everything that’s been playing on her mind since I left.

“I’ve never lied to you, Luisa. Not once. But I have—”

“Oh, spare me,” she interrupts. “I’m not doing this song and dance with you any longer, Stonehaven. If you don’t mind, we can go back to doing business as usual, so feel free to hop back on your jet and fly your ass to—”

“Knock, knock. Am I interrupting something?” Daisy asks as she stands by Luisa’s open office door with a look of concern on her face.

Perfect timing.

Luisa takes a deep breath, fortifying herself it seems, before she plasters on a polite smile and turns Daisy’s way.

I angle myself so I don’t miss the moment she sees my dog happily wagging her tail by my sister’s side.

She doesn’t attempt to hide her surprise, and for a moment, she forgets that she loathes me and drops down to her knees and squeals, “You brought your doggie to work today?” My pup wastes no time, smothering Luisa in sloppy kisses. I have to bite back my insane jealousy.

Daisy gives me a “what the fuck?” look as her eyes bounce between Luisa and me.

I shrug, as if to say, “It’s how we are.” And she shakes her head with a slight eye roll.

I take this opportunity to clear up a misunderstanding that’s been weighing on me. “Luisa, please take my dog out on a proper date before you take her to second base.” I tease as I stand and walk their way.

Luisa rears back, as if realizing that I’ve seen her smile and giggle for the last thirty seconds, leaving her vulnerable to my banter.

“Oh, she’s a girl dog? I thought—” She stops before she says something in front of Daisy that will most likely lead to more questions. Like how she already knew I had a dog.

Daisy leans down to pat her furry niece’s imposing side. “Oh yeah. She’s a big girl, but still a puppy at heart. Aren’t you, my sweet little Delilah?”

Luisa’s hands on my dog still as her head whips up toward Daisy. “Wh-what did you say her name was?” Her voice comes out scratchy, as if she’s attempting to swallow a tough pill.

I squat down next to Luisa, giving the excited ball of fluff a gentle pat.

“Her name is Delilah. My dog goes wherever I go, which includes my travels to London.” I attempt to make eye contact, but her gaze seems unfocused, as if she’s replaying the last time she heard that name.

The same moment I’ve come to regret each night as my fingers itch to send her an email.

She stands suddenly. Wobbling a bit while blinking rapidly.

I shoot up quickly. “Easy there. You okay? Need to take a seat?” I ask worriedly.

She takes a deep breath. “No, I’m fine. Just need a minute.”

“Why don’t I get you a water? Or maybe a juice. Something with sugar?”

“I don’t trust you not to poison it,” she mutters.

“Why would I use poison when I can think of much more creative ways to make you docile?” I grin.

Daisy groans loudly from the doorway. “Why are you guys so weird all the time? Is it some gross sexual tension that needs tending to?”

“No!”

“Perhaps.”

Luisa and I speak at the same time. She scowls in my direction. “The only tension here is the one forming a headache as we speak. So if you guys don’t mind, I have actual work to do.” She straightens her blazer as she continues to look down at my dancing pup.

“All right, Daisy. You heard the woman. Out we go.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice.” She’s out and down the hallway at an impressive speed.

I lower my voice in case anyone passes by. “I’m going to have something sent up to your office for you to eat and drink, so tell me now if you have any preferences. If not, I’ll order everything off the daily menu.”

She shakes her head as she pets my dog lovingly. “Out, Stonehaven.”

I nod in acquiesce. “As you wish.” I tap my leg twice, a signal for Delilah to come. Instead, she stays put, making sweet puppy dog eyes at Luisa.

Trust me, my girl, I know .

Luisa smirks. “Actually, there is one thing—”

“Name it.”

“The dog stays.”

Delilah barks in what seems like agreement. And if that wasn’t enough to convince me, the speed in which her tail is wagging might send her flying.

I sigh exaggeratedly. “You know, there is a joke somewhere here about me liking bad bitches, but I’m much too evolved to actually—”

“ Goodbye ,” Luisa singsongs. “Nuggets, fries, and a chocolate milkshake, if you must. And make it snappy.” She slams the door in my face, and I release a hearty laugh as I rest my forehead against the wood, happiness like no other consuming me.

Because she slammed the door with the biggest smile on her face.