Playing with Power - Book 3: New Adult Office Romance Read Free Page A

the truth in her expression. “You’re telling me after that weekend neither you or he have shared even a single text message? Why do I find that hard to believe?”
    “No! I told you, Nick was waiting for me when I got back from the airport. I’m over it,” Lauren laughed nervously.
    “And you and Nick, you’re all gravy now?” Lauren loved and hated the way Ali could see right through her. She absolutely hated keeping anything from her but it was still too risky.
    “I suppose. I mean, we’re still living apart but we see each other all the time. I think he wants things to go right back to normal and to his credit, he’s trying really hard. I’m still having a hard time trusting him though, you know?”
    “Totally understandable. Did you, you know—tell him about what happened?”
    “In California? God, no. I couldn’t do that to him. What would it change, anyway?” Even the thought made her nauseous.
    Ali sighed and leaned back in her chair. “I think that’s a good idea. It’s not like it was technically cheating or anything.”
    “Jesus Ali!”
    “I said you didn’t cheat. I figured he dumped you, too. What else were you supposed to think after he left you like that? Stop making that face! I’m just trying to make you feel better!”
    “I know you are but I still don’t want to hear that word! I feel terrible about it.” Lauren frowned. With all the recent ups and downs with Nick, she didn’t want to think about what it would do to their future if he found out. She just wanted to let the relationship run its course.
    “I probably shouldn’t be saying this,” Ali started, her eyes gazing across the rooftop to the far distance. “I think you and Landon could’ve been really good together. I’m not just saying that cause he’s rich or something shallow like that. You two have a definite connection. That’s rare.”
    “But that’s just it. There are billions of people in the world so there’s conceivably thousands we could connect with.”
    “Fair enough, but not every one of those people has eyes that could melt steel and an ass like that. And statistically, most of them aren’t even going to speak English. Ain’t nobody got time for that.”
    Lauren couldn’t help but laugh. “Well for right now, I’m choosing to stay with Nick.”
    Ali quickly changed the subject and soon the girls were making plans for a trip at the end of summer when production was done. In the back of her mind, Lauren hoped what she’d said about Landon was enough to satisfy Ali’s curiosity. She had the bad habit of bringing things up at the precise worst moment and Lauren was worried what she might let it slip while Nick was around. If she could see how little Lauren cared about what happened and how focused she was on Nick, maybe it’d deter her.
    After lunch, they hugged goodbye in the street and went their separate ways. Lauren had to walk in the opposite direction for a block before doubling back and heading down the same station as Ali. Feeling like some cut-rate spy, she crept onto the platform, simultaneously looking for and trying to avoid her friend. With a pit in her stomach, she headed to the MyBFC offices hating that she had to lie her face off to someone she loved.
    Landon, this better be worth it. This better all be worth it.
     
    There was a padded yellow envelope waiting for her on her desk. Sitting, she turned on her computer and took a pair of scissors to the envelope. Her email notification popped up and her eyes immediately locked on the sender’s name. Landon DeWitt. Setting the package aside she clicked on the email.
    Subject: New Protocol
    From: LDeWitt
    To: LKemp
    Lauren, I’ve sent you a new cell phone. Use this for MyBFC work only. Any communication with the office or myself should be done through this number. Never check it unless you’re alone. Find some way to hide it but still be able to carry it with you.
    -L
    PS - I chose black ... I seem to remember your phone was