Guil

My knee bounces up and down as I wait outside of Miles’ office. I could be one floor up, seeing Matt, but I chose Miles instead. Matt’s a great guy, but he’s intense as fuck, and right now, I’m on edge enough for this whole building. I need someone who will understand where I’m coming from and help, and I’m betting on Miles to be that person.

“You can go in now,” Miles’ assistant Sully tells me.

“Thanks.”

“Hey Guil,” Miles says when I walk in, rising out of his chair to shake my hand.

“Hey.”

“What’s going on?”

“I need a job.”

He sits back in his chair with his fingers steepled under his mouth, and regards me thoughtfully. “I was under the impression you already had one or two already.”

“I do.”

“You’ve got me on the edge of my seat.”

“There’s a girl. A woman. I’ve known her since she was a girl. My childhood best friend was her brother. He died last year and I made him a promise as he took his last breath. It’s one I can’t keep if I’m associated with Calum.”

“He asked you to promise to take care of her? I know it’s a cliché, but if my brother or one of the other Studkateers asked me to look after someone or something for them, I’d do it.”

“Something like that. I know I shouldn’t be attracted to her, but I am. I think she wants me too. I mean, she kissed me this weekend when I visited the family.”

“And she doesn’t know about the sex clubs? Her family either?”

“No. I told them I work here. I just need a title and some fake business cards.”

“Did you think about asking me or Matt before you told them?”

“I honestly wasn’t thinking at all.”

“Why not Calum’s company? The non-club one. I thought you had a job with a title there.”

“I do, but everyone knows he’s connected to sex clubs. I seriously can’t be connected to him in any way for this to have a chance.”

“Hiding the truth never works out well, my friend.”

“There’s no other way.”

“International Relations Specialist has a nice ring to it.”

I sigh in relief. “Thank you.”

“I have an empty office on this floor if you need it.”

“No. I told them I work remotely, traveling for you.”

He nods and types something on a tablet from his desk. “Gotcha. Business cards will be waiting for you downstairs.”

“That fast?” I ask, knowing there’s special paper or something they use so the cards can’t be faked.

“You know some of our secrets, Guil, so this shouldn’t surprise you.”

“You’re right. I’m just off my game.”

“I’ll say again that I don’t think lying is going to help you find your way with this woman, but I’m happy to help you get where you want to be.”

“I appreciate it.”

Rising from my chair, I shake his hand. As he said, the business cards are waiting for me at the security desk in the lobby. This is it—the plan I put into motion months ago. If I play it right, I’ll get the woman and the reward. Then again, I could lose it all. No. Losing can’t be an option.

* * *

Lyla

Sheltered doesn’t even come close to describing my life. My parents have always been strict, but it got worse when my brother died. He was my best friend, my buffer, and the only person I trusted with everything. I told him all of my secrets, including the crush I’ve always had on his best friend, Guil.

That may seem weird, but it wasn’t. I knew he’d understand and he did. He even said he’d help me. I know he would’ve if that car hadn’t hit him. A random, drunk, hit-and-run. At least, the police think the person who hit him must’ve been drunk. They never found them, and I know it drives Guil crazy because he was there. He held my brother’s hand as he died. And, he vowed to avenge him. That hasn’t happened yet, but I haven’t given up hope.

If anything, I’ve become bolder. Guil visited my family last week, and I kissed him. I kissed him with a desperation I know he felt—and I loved it. I loved those few seconds our lips were joined. The way he started to kiss me back before pulling away with what I can only describe as a growl, and the way he looked at me after.

It’s not the way he looked at me when I was following him and Brad around. They never gave me a hard time about it, but I know I didn’t hide my crush very well. Especially when Guil would do something nice for me, like defending me from our classmates, and helping me with my homework. I wanted him back then, but he didn’t think of me that way. Now, I’m sure he does.

Guil wanted me in that moment when I kissed him, and I know if I push him again, he won’t stop so easily. Now, I just need to convince him to be alone with me again. I don’t know how, but I know I have to do it.