Page 64 of Isolation

“For fuck’s sake, Brandon,” he barks. “You are a part-owner of a company that’s falling apart. Act like it.” Milo turns to the girls next. “I’ll be back later to go through the rest of it.”

“See you guys,” Brandon waves.

I wave to everyone, but Jaci is already back on a call. Alexa only slightly lifts her hand.

Milo walks us out of the split-level apartment, and within minutes we are at the top of the stairs, with Milo opening the door to the main house.

As soon as he closes the door, I turn to him. “What’s going on at work?”

“Why are you asking me that?” he frowns. “I already told you everything over text.”

“Text?” I slap my temple. It never crossed my mind to text him. Milo and I barely ever text each other. Why would we? We live in the same damn house. “Shit. I left my phone in my room. I get too distracted by it when I work.”

“As Jaci said, shit hit the fan. I left the house early today and just got back from the office. It was hell getting inside, but I had to. Our servers went down today.”

I finally take in Milo’s tired eyes and unshaven face. “Is everything okay?” I ask in a low voice, feeling genuinely concerned after taking in his tired state.

“We are working on it,” he sighs. “But it will have to be an all-nighter.”

All-nighter with Alexa?

She is his business partner, so obviously she is going to be there. Alexa is also one of Milo’s best friends. His beautiful, non-toxic friend. He will be confined with her in close quarters all night long. The thought is much more depressing than I could have ever imagined.

“Rave?”

“Oh, sorry.” I didn’t even hear his question. “What’s up?”

“I asked if you have eaten yet?”

“No, I haven’t eaten.”

“Pizza?”

“That sounds great,” I try to snap out of it. “I’m starving.”

“Cool. There is a place a few blocks away that serves takeout. It should still be open.”

“Sounds good,” I give Milo a nod before following him out.

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Milo

Raven has been unusually quiet tonight. We grabbed a couple slices of pizza from a local takeout and decided to eat it on our walk home. Now that her hand is free, my eyes keep flickering to it. I am about to reach for it when she crosses her arms over her chest.

She is walking next to me, but she is lost in her mind. This is backward momentum. I have to bring out the big guns to keep her engaged.

I sigh, already hating the conversation topic I am about to propose.“Do you still want to know about my sexual history?”

“How many women have you been with?” Raven asks before I even formulate the question to a completion. She didn’t miss a single beat, as if she had been waiting for that opening.

I smile at her reflex. Locked, loaded, and ready to shoot. That’s my quick-witted girl. “I expected something more creative, Rave,” I tease, hoping to avoid the question.

“Don’t you worry, I am just getting started,” she retorts. “So, how many?”

Ugh. This is why I hate talking about my sexual history. I specifically never discussed it so it wouldn’t get back to Raven. I never wanted her to find out. She is not going to like any of my answers.

“I lost count a long time ago,” I hold my breath for her reaction.