About Last Night (About Last Night #1)(36)

Nicholas chuckled. And it sounded like rolling thunder. I liked that. He confirmed, “She gave you ‘the talk.’”

“I don’t understand her. She still uses her married name, calls you her husband, and acts crazy when you’re in the vicinity. I don’t get it.”

He made a noise deep in his throat, a little like a growl. “She likes the benefits of still being considered a Dietrich.”

I watched him closely as his jaw worked. He was a very attractive man. I thought about what he said and his assumption. I had an assumption of my own.

Looking back to the doors, my brows rose. “Or she still loves you.”

The elevator doors opened before Nicholas could respond. I scanned my card and we both walked into the office. I followed him down to his deserted quarters and stood by the door. He went through his things, muttering, “Damn,” and, “It’s gotta be here.” Before long, he placed his hands on his hips and came up empty-handed, looking frustrated. “I know where it is. It’s in Addison’s office. But I can’t get in there without her key and she takes it everywhere with her.” He slammed the desk drawer, making me jump, and breathed, “Damn.”

I didn’t say a thing. I didn’t want to get involved in something that clearly wasn’t my business.

Nicholas blew out a long breath. “Sorry. I know your boyfriend is waiting for you.”

My face bunched in disgust. “Firstly, ew. Secondly, Harry is my brother.”

He stood tall while his head tilted to the side in thought. “There is a slight resemblance.” His eyes searched my face and I felt as though I was being dissected, taken apart. “Is there a boyfriend?”

I was finding it hard to swallow. Somehow I managed to let out a hushed, “Not at the moment.”

He absently scratched at his chin. “Interesting.”

“Not really.” My shoulders jerked weakly. “I should probably go. If you’re done, that is.”

He nodded. “Right. I apologize for wasting your time, Mia.”

As we walked side-by-side, I smiled. “That’s okay. All you kept me from was my mom’s meatloaf,”—my eyes widened dramatically—“and trust me, that’s more than okay with me.”

His lip twitched. “Mom not a great cook?”

“Oh no, she’s a great cook. But her portion sizes are astronomical, and if I don’t eat every morsel on my plate, she puts on a guilt trip of massive proportions and I spend the rest of the night feeling like crap. But Harry and I have a system. Every time Mom gets up, he snags pieces of my food.”

Nicholas’ eyes dropped down to my light smile. “Sounds like he’s a good brother.”

I nodded once. “The best.”

He held the door open for me and followed me out. “Thanks again, Mia.”

“Anytime, Nicholas.” I smiled at him and lifted my hand in goodbye then made my way back to the car just in time to sit and listen to Harry’s loud and tone-deaf a cappella version of “Living on a Prayer.” He started the car as soon as I got in, turned to me, tapping the steering wheel, and yelled a lively and animated, “Oh, we’re halfway there! Whoa…livin’ on a prayer!” He held his hand out. “Take my hand…” I slapped it away and he looked affronted, but kept singing, “We’ll make it, I swear!”

I shook my head and looked out the window, trying hard not to laugh. But when he wound down his window and shrieked, “Bon Jovi fo’ life, bitches!” I lost my fight, bursting into fits of laughter. We spent the rest of the car ride singing and dancing without the radio. And when we got to Mom’s, it wasn’t so bad.

She only tried to sneak me one extra serving of dinner and two of dessert.




Still in the afterglow of my big O, I arrived to work on Friday morning in a state of Zen.

Making my way past Ella, I touched her pretty hair and muttered, “Morning, El,” with a small smile.

Ella croaked out, “Mia, wait!” but I didn’t stop. Instead, I turned to look at her as I walked backwards to my desk. The look on her face told me something was wrong. I slowed my step, but kept walking. “What?”

A cough from behind me sounded. I paused mid-step and turned. Addison stood there perfectly coiffed, as usual, and she looked madder than a wet hen. Her lips thin, she uttered a deadly, “My office. Now.”

Oh, shit.

I was in trouble. I never got into trouble. I was trouble-free. A no war zone. I was f*cking Switzerland, goddamn it!

I thought hard. What had I done?

It hit me as soon as I entered her office. I started to utter, “I can explain…” when she cut me off with, “I had one rule. One rule, Mia.” She poised herself on the edge of her desk. “I’m so disappointed.”

I was confused. “I’m sorry…but what?”

Her smile was as icy as fro-yo and her voice was warning. “I told you to stay away from him.”

My face paled as my heart raced in panic. I was about to lose my job. “But I didn’t do anything!” I stepped closer and explained in a rush, “Mr. Dietrich caught me as I was leaving and he asked me to let him in, because his pass had been deactivated. As far as I know, Mr. Dietrich is still the owner of this business…”