Page 59 of Not In The Contract

“It would be very inappropriate,” I told her. “And it would crush me.”

“Do you really think she’d turn you down?” Tamera gasped, theatrical and a little annoying.

“I think she has a high sense of self worth and would see an approach from me as nothing more than an unprofessional gesture.”

“Nah, I think she’d be into it.” Tamera hummed, pinching her chin between her thumb and index finger.

“Are… are we talking about the same person?” I mused. “You’re referring to Alex Bell, the billionaire I’m doing field research on, right?”

“The hot boss?” She giggled. “Yeah, who else?”

“God, you’re the worst.”

“You adore me.” She grinned. “How are things going?”

“Seriously?” I asked. “Or are you going to make fun of my nonexistent love life again?”

“No!” she insisted. “You can’t tell a joke that often, it loses its mojo.”

“Fuck you, Tamera.” I chuckled. “I don’t know, to be honest. I talked to Paula about it and I feel a little better but still apprehensive, I guess.”

“I haven’t heard from you since, like, Wednesday night, I think.”

“Yeah, when we stayed up super late.” I sighed. “I was late the next morning.”

Tamera cringed. “How late?”

“Late enough that I was expecting Alex to tell me to get lost.” I groaned. “Katya saved my life, though.”

“You talk about her a lot.” Tamera hummed, leaning forward in interest. “She sounds intriguing.”

“I don’t think she’s interested in dating someone right now,” I huffed.

“I’m not justsomeone,” she said with a devilish smirk. “Come on, just because you’re a sexual pariah doesn’t mean I have to suffer with you.”

I glared at her. “I’ll talk to her,” I muttered.

“Want me to talk to Alex for y-”

“Absolutely not, I’d rather die,” I choked out.

Tamera cackled and buried her face in her hands. “You’d rather die than get laid?” She giggled. “Honey, we have to fix your priorities.”

“Y’know, my priorities are pretty solid,” I pointed out. “Once I get my PhD, I’ll rejoin the land of the sexually free, okay?”

“We anxiously await your return.”

“Can we talk about something important?” I cackled.

“I think we need to talk about how you’re really doing,” she said.

“Look, I won’t lie.” I sighed. “I can’t remember the last time I felt this stressed. It’s like my body can’t relax enough, even when I’m asleep. I’m constantly waiting for my alarm to wake me up while worrying that I’m definitely not getting enough sleep. I want to sleep for a full seventy-two hours.”

Tamera’s frown deepened but she didn’t interrupt me.

“And I think living with Alex is making it worse,” I continued. “I’m on edge because I can’t disappoint her and I don’t want her to think I’m into her. That would be a whole other nightmare to deal with.”

“How would you let it slip, anyway?” she asked. “It’s not like you’re in love with her. You just find her attractive, right?”