Page 57 of For the Plot

“Holy shit.”

“Yeah.”

“So you had a moment.”

“Wealmosthad a moment,” I correct. “Then he stepped back and told me to go home.”

“Oof,” she finally says. “That’s rough.”

“Yeah.” I fall back against the cushions. “And I didn’t even get a goodbye grope out of it.”

“Okay, but… that’s not nothing, Skye. Headmitted it. He didn’t deny what’s between you.”

“No. He just looked at me like I was a terrible decision and walked away anyway.”

Maya exhales through the phone. “Shit. And here I was thinking we’d be planning your scandalous HR trial defense by now.”

“Guess I’ll have to save my opening statement for another day.”

There’s a beat, and then her voice softens. “Can I ask you something, and you promise not to yell at me?”

“Debatable, but go ahead.”

“What do you expect him to do? Kiss you? Have a one-night stand?”

I chew on the inside of my cheek. “I don’t know. This is stupid, Maya.”

“Is it or did he just get scared?”

“I thinkweboth got scared.”

“That’s fair. But only one of you walked away.”

My eyes sting, and I hate it. “I wanted him to kiss me.”

“I know.”

“And I wanted him to stop me when I left. Or call me. Or… I don’t know. Acknowledge that we’re both drowning in this thing.”

“He’s still trying to pretend he’s on dry land, babe. And you’re out here swimming laps.”

I groan. “Don’t say that.”

“I’m serious,” she says. “I’ve seen you do casual. Seen you do fun. But this? You’re spiraling. You’ve got that glowy, ‘this could ruin me and I’d thank him for it’ energy.”

I scrub a hand down my face. “Oh my God, that’s taking it a little far. It’s just a stupid crush on the guy.”

“You’re not just attracted to him, Skye. Youlikehim. That’s the dangerous part.”

“I’m not doing this,” I whisper. “He’s my boss. This is temporary. And Archer?—”

“Stop.” Her voice goes sharp. “Do not bring Archer into this.”

“He’s his son whom I dated and lost my virginity to; he’s already in this!”

“I’m aware. I also remember that Archer broke your heart and hasn’t looked back.”

“That doesn’t mean I should sleep with his father. I’m not that vindictive.”