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“And bring this guy into Nash’s life? No way. Keely, he’s a drug dealer. Nash is a businessman. I don’t want to jeopardize his job or reputation with this.”

“But if you’re together…”

Are we together? Everything pointed to yes when they were alone. A select few knew about them. Still, they never went out in public or discussed being exclusive with each other. Never talked about the future or even their pasts. There was so much about Nash she didn’t know.

“I don’t even know if we’re together-together.”

“Charley, you slept with him, and he made you breakfast the next morning. You spend all your nights at his place. I mean, you’re practically living there.”

That was a stretch. There was no mention of moving in, and besides, it was entirely too soon. He did suggest I bring some of my things over though. By all outward appearances, it did seem a bit more than casual.

“I have spent my nights at his place.”

“See, there you go. You’re together . If he’s with you, he’s not going to let some creep harass you.”

Charley shook her head.

“This isn’t Nash’s problem.”

Keely scoffed. “It’s not yours either. Cody left you to deal with his shit.”

True.

“Tell Nash!”

Charley sighed. “What am I supposed to tell him? That my brother is an addict and currently in rehab, but his dealer won’t leave me alone because he thinks I have his drugs?”

“Uh yeah.” Keely raised her brows and widened her eyes. “That’s exactly what you should tell him. Let him help you.”

“I can’t!” It was rare Charley raised her voice.

“Why not?”

“Because if I tell Nash about this, then I have to tell him about everything. It’s too soon.” She gasped a breath. “And if he knows, he’ll tell Elle, and then she’ll know I lied. I looked her straight in the eyes and lied to her, Keely.”

So many lies.

“You had your reasons…”

Charley pressed her hand against her heart. “But I lied. To both of them.”

“Maybe he won’t tell Elle. I mean, he’s your boyfriend. He’ll understand and…”

“What if he doesn’t?”

Keely furrowed her brows. “What?”

“What if he doesn’t understand? You’re the closest person to me besides Cody, and you barely understand my blind loyalty. And I get why, but if you don’t fully get it, there’s no way Nash will. And then what? It’s over.”

“What’s over?”

“Me and Nash,” she whispered, feeling the pain to her core. She was falling hard and fast.

Keely sighed. “Charley, you don’t know that.”

“But I don’t want to risk it. I love being with him.

I love talking to him and laughing with him.

Everything with him . I’ve never had this kind of relationship that’s all mine.

” Her eyes welled, tears threatening to fall down her cheeks, and she did nothing to stop them.

“I spent the last eight years taking care of Cody. I was there for everything. The addiction, the spiraling, the rehab, and all the setbacks. I gave up everything I wanted for me . And now I have this thing with Nash where it’s all mine.

I don’t want to lose it. And I know I’m being selfish, but I’m not ready to let him go yet.

I just want more time with him before I show him all my baggage. ”

Her reasoning sounded awful, as if she was trying to trap him into liking her before she exposed her truth. Charley drove her hands through her hair.

Her shoulders sagged, and she gripped her hips, dropping her chin to her chest. “I sound pathetic.”

“No, you don’t. I’d wanna keep it too. I get it, Charley.”

Keely grabbed her hand in a tight squeeze. “But as your friend, I have to state the obvious. From where I’m standing, this thing with Cody’s dealer isn’t just gonna go away.”

I know.

****

“What’s the latest with Inez and Anders?” Ridge asked as the elevator doors opened.

Nash walked out, turning left and heading toward his office.

“She said she’d take the meeting. Whether they strike a deal and work out the terms of an agreement remains to be seen.”

He’d kept in contact with Ace in regards to the upcoming meeting, but he wouldn’t be privy to the details unless Inez wanted him to know. Nash had done his part and it was now out of his hands.

Nash rounded the end of the hall and stopped, abruptly staring at the woman ten feet away. Her shoulder was leaning against the wall, and she was nibbling on her thumb nail, staring in the direction of Oz’s office. His door was closed with six security members lining the walls.

“Charley?”

She spun around, eyes wide, and dropped her hand to her side. She looked nervous, which wasn’t uncommon for her, but it was heightened. As he approached her, he noticed Ridge hang back, giving them privacy.

“Hi.” Her voice was low, and she looked over at the closed door before turning back to him.

“Are you okay?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

He scanned the halls. “What are you doing here?”

“Elodie asked me to meet her here to finalize the plans for the opening tomorrow. We were going over everything, and I guess her husband overheard her telling me that she planned on being there all day. The whole ten hours. He didn’t like that.

” Charley raised her brows, leaned closer, and lowered her voice.

“Have you ever seen them have a disagreement? No shouting, but they do this thing where they say each other’s names, and it sounds like a warning. It’s very intense.”

Nash battened down his smile. He was very familiar with Oz and Elodie’s showdowns. He lightly grasped her elbow, leading her to his office.

“How long have they been in his office?”

“About twenty minutes.”

Another five and they’d be wrapping it up.

Who came out victorious was anyone’s guess.

Nash was going to use the time to his advantage.

He ushered her into his office and closed the door.

When she turned, he grabbed her waist, pulled her against his chest, and didn’t hesitate.

His lips came down on her hard. Kissing this woman had become his newest obsession.

She circled her arms over his shoulders and angled her head, allowing him to deepen the kiss.

Fuck. He refrained from groaning when her hips brushed against his cock. Taking her now was not an option, but thoughts of her on his desk naked were only proving to be more torturous for his control. Nash drove his hand up her back and neck, threading his fingers through her hair. He had to stop.

He ended the kiss, sliding his lips over her jaw. “What time will you be at my house?”

She moaned, digging her nails into his shoulders. “I was going to stay at my apartment tonight.”

Nash pulled away and narrowed his gaze. Charley had been in his bed for the last several nights. It was exactly where he wanted her tonight.

“I just thought with the opening tomorrow, and having to be up so early, it would wake you up, and…”

It was a very thoughtful gesture, and one Nash would be turning down.

He cupped her jaw. “I’ll set an alarm. You’re staying with me.”

She smiled. “Okay.”

Charley gave no resistance and inched closer, kissing him.

The sharp knock on the door had Charley practically pushing him away and stepping back a few feet. She wiped her mouth and drove her hands through her hair, shaking the strands. They hadn’t done more than a kiss, but Charley was acting as if they’d just got busted naked and fucking.

He chuckled, walking to the door and shaking his head. He opened it to find Elodie standing in the doorway.

“Ridge said Charley might be in your office?”

Nash widened the door, and she stepped inside.

“Hi.” Charley waved, and he noticed her hand shake slightly.

Discretion was key, but her guilt was unnecessary.

“Charley was standing in the hall, and I offered her my office to wait. I thought she may be more comfortable here where she could have a seat.”

Elodie hummed, her eyes gleaming. “Yet here she is standing.”

Nash ignored the comment, and Elodie moved passed him.

“Sorry about that, Charley. My man can be stubborn.”

Charley waved her hand, “I didn’t mind waiting.” Her cheeks immediately pinkened, and he bit back his smile. “Did you um, work things out?”

“Yes.” Elodie laughed. “We’ve come to a common ground. He’s forbidden me to be there all day, and I’ve chosen to ignore him.”

Nash chuckled and watched as Elodie escorted Charley out the door. He glanced down at his watch.

Only a few more hours.

Nash was rounding his desk when his phone rang. A quick glance at the screen and he answered immediately.

“Yeah.”

“It’s me. Took longer than I thought, but I got something you’re gonna wanna hear,” Sullivan said, and Nash straightened his back.

“When can you meet up?” Nash asked.

“If you can make it happen, tomorrow night at ten. Same spot?”

Nash didn’t know what his schedule looked like for the next day. It didn’t matter. He’d make the necessary adjustments to ensure he was available. This was a priority.

“Yes.”

“I’ll see you then.” Sullivan snorted. “And just a heads up? I won’t be alone. Bringing an old friend.”

Sullivan hung up, and Nash dropped his phone to his desk.

An old friend?