chapter 14
“WHY ARE YOU SMILING so much?” Hunter asks, examining my face. He turns to Yvonne. “Have you ever seen her smile so much?”
“I’ve never seen anyone smile that much,” she says to me, giving me a curious look. “You know who else was smiling today?”
She and Hunter exchange a look.
“No fucking way,” Hunter exclaims, head turning to me. “Really?”
Goddammit, there is no way they could have guessed this after being around me for twenty minutes. So much for keeping this one a secret.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I tell both of them, looking them in the eye in turn. “Are you speaking in a language I’m not familiar with? Because I’m lost right now.”
“Going to play that card, are you?” Hunter asks, amused. “You and Tristan have been circling each other since you met, don’t even try to deny it. And I don’t know why you won’t just admit it; it’s not like we care if you two are fucking or not.”
I glance at Yvonne out of the corner of my eye. Hunter might not care, but she was his wife’s cousin. Surely she would care. I push my chair out and stand. “I’m going on my lunch break.”
“Bailing from an argument? How un-lawyerish of you,” he huffs, arching a brow.
“You just made up a word,” I point out.
“What’s going on in here?” Tristan asks, entering my office and glancing around. “Team meeting I’m not invited to?”
“That’s because it’s about you,” Yvonne pipes up, blowing a bubble with her gum, then popping it.
Tristan exchanges a quick glance with me, then turns to the two of them. “What’s going on?”
“Kat keeps smiling,” Yvonne says, smirking. “For no reason. And when you walked in to work today, you were humming and also smiling.”
“And? Are we not allowed to be happy in this workplace? Are you a fucking dementor now, Yvonne?”
I smirk at the Harry Potter reference.
“Look, we just both want you two to admit that you had sex, that’s all,” Hunter says, sounding put out, like if he doesn’t hear the truth he’s not going to survive. “We’ve been watching the two of you; we’ve felt the tension, the awkwardness; and we’ve even seen both of you purposely avoiding each other, and people only do that when they hate each other, they want to fuck each other, or both.”
Yvonne nods. “We’re just as invested as you are.”
I rub my forehead, feeling a headache brewing. “I’m going to have my lunch. You guys can tell me whatever you come up with upon my return.”
As I walk past Tristan our arms touch, and I have to stop myself from rubbing my bare skin. All I want to do is jump in his arms, and tell them yes, he’s mine, now leave us alone, but with the situation we’re in I don’t think it’s the best course of action. I trust Hunter and Yvonne, don’t get me wrong, but this is my career that hangs in the balance. I’m not admitting to anything. I don’t know what Tristan is going to tell them right now, but seriously, how nosy can they get? Apparently they notice everything. I wonder if they check the cameras or something. They probably saw me sneaking around so I wouldn’t have to bump into Tristan.
I cringe at the mere thought.
At least Callum isn’t here, because I’m sure he’d have something to say about this too. I was going to bring Tristan something to eat in his office, because I know how busy his day is today, but now if I do that I’ll never hear the end of it. Maybe I’ll just pretend it’s all for me until the coast is clear.
Apparently this is what my life has come to, sneaking in food for my boss whom I slept with last night.
How the mighty have fallen.
“THANKS,” TRISTAN SAYS AS I place the chicken salad and milk shake on his table. I sit down and wait for him to finish the phone call he’s on so we can chat.
“All right, I’ll see you next week,” he tells the person on the other end before hanging up and giving me all his attention.
“You bought me lunch,” he says, smiling. “Thank you.”
“You might not get time to eat otherwise, your schedule is ridiculous today,” I say, ducking my head when he doesn’t take his eyes off me. “What happened with the little office meeting?”
“I told them to mind their own business or they’re both getting fired,” he says, the smirk on his face telling me it’s all a bluff. “Just ignore them. They want gossip, but we don’t have to tell them anything. Did you eat?”
It’s easy for him to say, because he’s the boss. I can just imagine what people would say if they found out. They’d say I was using Tristan to further my career, and that’s how I got my position. They will belittle all the work I’ve done and all the work I’m going to do to be where I want to be. Legally we’re not doing anything wrong, but it’ll be frowned upon.
I nod. “Yeah, I ate in the café. I needed a little air away from the peanut gallery. Seriously, do I never smile? How did they even figure it out from me just smiling?”
“Kat,” he murmurs, shaking his head. “Don’t let them get to you. Did you sleep well after I left last night?”
I nod, even though it’s not exactly true, because I slept much better when he was in bed with me.
“Good,” he says, taking a sip of his chocolate milk shake. “How did you know I like these?”
“I’ve seen you walking around the office with one in your hand a few times,” I reply, shrugging. “I remember thinking it was cute, a badass lawyer with a chocolate milk shake in his hand.”
He puts it down with a grin and then turns to me. “You look beautiful today.”
“Thank you,” I reply, hand rising to my cheeks. “I have no idea what we’re doing here, Tristan.”
“Well, we’re going to go to court today and kick ass, and then after that I’m going to take you home with me, and we’re going to have dinner with the kids. And when they fall asleep, I’m going to take you into my room and go down on you until you’re screaming my name.”
I open my mouth and then close it. “Did you just say that?”
He nods.
I purse my lips and stand. “Fine, but I want to sit on your face.”
I ignore the laughter I hear on my way out.
“KAT, LOOK WHAT I made at school today!” Logan waves a painting in my face, showing it off excitedly. “How cool is it?”
“Very cool,” I reply, taking it from him and inspecting it. “You should be an artist.”
Tristan is in the kitchen cooking us dinner. I don’t know what he’s making, but I’m perched on the couch with Logan and Laura, my feet up and a glass of red wine in my hand. I told Tristan that I don’t mind cooking, or we could even order something in, but he insisted. I personally think he’s just trying to show off his domesticated side. Apparently Tristan is a man who can do it all. Dominate in the courtroom, bedroom, and kitchen.
If he’s not careful, he’s going to be stuck with me.
“How was your day, Laura?” I ask the blue-eyed beauty. She’s got her phone in her hand, although I don’t know why she has one at her age. My dad would’ve laughed in my face if I had asked for one, but I guess we live in a different time now.
“Good,” she says, lifting her head up. “I got chosen as volleyball captain.”
“Congrats,” I tell her, impressed. “I played volleyball as a kid, and I loved it.”
“I’m outside hitter,” she says proudly.
“Awesome,” I tell her. “Maybe one day I can come and watch one of your games.”
“Okay,” Laura says, offering me a smile. “That would be cool. My friends want to meet you.”
She’s been talking about me to her friends?
Surprise fills me. Laura was always the one a little hesitant, a little unsure of me. I think it’s because she doesn’t know whether it’s a betrayal to her or not. I remember when my father dated I would feel the same, and my mother left by choice. So her telling her friends about me means a lot.
“I’d love to meet your friends, Laura,” I tell her, smiling, warmth filling me.
I’m in a bit of a tricky place right now. I don’t want to act like their stepmom or anything along those lines. I mean, geez, Tristan and I only became a thing last night, but at the same time, I’ve already spent time with them and care about them without having anything to do with Tristan. I want to be how I was, friends with them, and I don’t want to cross any lines or make it look like I’m trying to insert myself into their lives when that’s not the case.
“I’m coming too, then,” Logan announces, flashing a wide smile at me.
“You’re too charming for your own good,” I tell him.
He winks at me, then starts laughing.
“Did you just wink at me?” I ask, eyes going wide. “Are you flirting with me, Logan?”
He smiles and wraps his arms around me. “What does flirting mean?”
“It means that you’re trying to charm me and get my attention because you like me,” I try to explain to him.
“Well then, yes, I’m flirting with you,” he says, and my heart melts.
I give him a tight hug, and then stand up. “I’m going to check on dinner’s progress.”
And refill my wine.