Page 79 of Your Last First Kiss

“Considering you’re dressed like Old McDonald, I figured beer was the right call,” he says dryly.

A bark of laughter escapes me as I accept the ice pack gratefully. My eye was starting to throb. I place the open beer he hands me between my legs because even the smell of it makes my stomach sour. I’m not sure why I even accepted it.

“What’s going on?” he asks in a tone that tells me he might already have an idea.

“How much do you know?”

“Well…” He unscrews the top on his beer, then sits across from me. Even at home at almost eight o’clock at night, the guy is still in his vest and dress pants. I don’t understand him. “I know Penny called to say she had a family emergency and needed some time off.”

“Her ex is a fucking nightmare,” I blurt.

“So I gathered.” His voice is sharp and tight, like a protective older brother seeing his baby sister in a circle full of men.

“And he’s putting them in danger. He tried to drive, wasted, with his four-year-old in the car. He tossed Kai around, ripped his shirt, then shoved him back so hard the kid hit his head and tore his scalp open.”

“Obviously, you’re telling me this as…” This time he does smirk.

“As your friend.” I glare.

“Because…” he drawls.

“Because Penny is my friend too,” I say, then exhale heavily as my shoulders slump forward. “And I need some advice. I know it’s fucked up because she’s your employee. And I know it’s fucked up because we’re coworkers.”

He stays silent, allowing me to think out loud.

“But I don’t think I give a shit, Lochlan. I’ve skirted around this for years. I like her. I like her a lot. And I really like her kids. Ashton, the prick, was making deals left and right trying to get me to Chance Lake, but really, he was setting traps to push Penny and me together, and I don’t want to fight it anymore. I want to be there for her and her kids. I want her messy hair and her vomit-covered sweatshirts.”

Lochlan scrunches up his nose.

“I want to be able to kiss the haunted look from her eyes and take on some of her burdens. I want it all, and to have it all means I can’t be your point person at Envision. I don’t even like working at Envision.”

That last bit surprises me, and I sit back in stunned silence. I take a long pull from the beer he handed me as a diversion while I digest all the words that fell from my lips, but it transforms to acid in my gut, and I set it down on the coffee table before I get sick.

I’ve never been a big drinker, but after seeing Sweaty Eddy Demon-Fucker with Kai, I’m not sure I’ll ever have the stomach for it again.

Sweaty Eddy Demon-Fucker.

I almost snort. I’ll have to make a conscious effort not to call him that in front of the kids. I suspect it’ll be an excruciatingly difficult task.

When I think the built-up rage has subsided enough for me to behave like a normal human being, I lower the ice pack to find Lochlan smiling at me.

“What?” I ask tentatively.

“Took you long enough, you arsehole.”

I blink. Then blink again.

“What?”

“I’d have fired you a year ago if I’d known that was part of the reason you weren’t pursuing Penny.”

My jaw nearly hits the floor.

“You’ve never needed my permission,” he continues. “I’m the one who married my event planner, and everyone around you has known how you feel about her for years. It’s not a surprise, but if I have a choice, I’d rather not lose Penny. Even thinking about finding another assistant makes me bloody raging mad, so I need her to help me find her replacement.”

“No,” I say quickly. “She needs this job. She isn’t going anywhere.”

“Not yet, but you know how those Westbrooks are. They’re always a step ahead of you with a plan or a hug.”