Faking Ms. Right (Dirty Martini Running Club #1)(43)

“I don’t see anything.”

My back tingled with the desire for his touch. I wanted him to run a hand down my back, smoothing my shirt, making sure I was okay. But he didn’t.

“Oh no.” I turned back to the stove and waved a hand in front of my nose. The fire was out but a haze filled the air. “It smells like smoke in here. We should open a window.”

He turned on the vent fan and when he lowered his hand, I could have acted—salvaged the moment that had almost happened. I was standing so close, I could have reached out and put my hand on his chest. Slid it around to the back of his neck and whispered a thank you for saving me from being burned. Popped up on my tiptoes and kissed him.

But I didn’t. A million thoughts raced through my mind, leaving me frozen in place. I couldn’t kiss Shepherd. He was my boss. This was only for show. Just a way to keep his ex at a distance. If we kissed, it would change everything.

The openness in his expression was gone. He helped me clean up in silence. I tried to tell myself I was just glad it hadn’t set off the fire alarm or the sprinkler system. Now that would have been a real disaster. That little almost-kiss wasn’t even worth worrying about, considering I’d almost caught his condo on fire.

But that was a big fat lie. The little kitchen fire had been startling, but it hadn’t done any damage. I wasn’t so sure about that almost-kiss.





18





Shepherd





I’d been out of the office since early this morning—busy with off-site meetings and a trip to the doctor with my dad. What should have been running through my mind while I walked to my office were the hundred things I needed to do today. For work. For my company. Not the fact that I’d been inches away from kissing Everly in my kitchen yesterday.

The fire hadn’t caused any damage. But I hadn’t missed the look on Everly’s face when I’d gone back to my office. She hadn’t said anything about what had almost happened. Neither had I, but I probably should have.

I’d spent the rest of the day avoiding her. Stayed in my office and went to bed late. Which made me feel like an idiot.

I had serious issues when it came to feelings. Every time I started to experience a deep emotion, I clammed up. Shut down. I’d seen my mother do the very same thing. I didn’t know why I did it. My dad had always been free and open with his emotions. Ethan was too. They talked about how they felt with what appeared to be ease and comfort.

But me? Strong emotions made me retreat into myself.

Maybe that was why I’d always chosen shallow women to date. They were safe. They wouldn’t stir things up that would make me uncomfortable.

That was a disturbing revelation to have, especially since I was having it right as I walked by Everly’s desk.

I gave her a curt nod and went into my office. Shutting the door, I pushed her—and the confusing knot of feelings—out of my mind. I rolled up the sleeves of my button-down shirt, sat at my desk, and got to work. I had another meeting this afternoon and I needed to be sharp.

Losing myself in financial reports helped. But she was still there, a constant presence on the edge of my consciousness.

I glanced at the clock. Nolan Carter, my CFO, would be calling in for our meeting in a few minutes. His wife had just had a baby, so he was working from home several days a week. I opened the meeting app and waited for him to connect.

There was a soft knock on my door and Everly peeked her head in. “Hi. Sorry, I know you’re about to get on a call, but can I see you afterward?”

“Sure.”

She wasn’t quite looking me in the eye. “Thanks.”

Maybe I should have said something. After all, it had been me who’d almost kissed her. I’d been the one stalking her like a predator while she cooked. Who’d stared at her mouth so long there was no way she hadn’t noticed.

But there was that barrier again. I couldn’t articulate what I wanted to say. Hell, I wasn’t even sure what I wanted to say. So I didn’t say anything.

She slipped back out and quietly shut the door.

Fuck.

Nolan connected to the app, so I tore my focus away from the door—and the image of a forlorn Everly—and answered.

Not ten minutes into my meeting, my phone lit up with a call. Normally I wouldn’t answer, but it was my dad. An instinct flared to life. Something was wrong.

“Nolan, can you give me a second. I have to take this call.”

“Sure, no problem.”

I muted him and answered my phone. “Dad? Is everything okay?”

“Thank god you answered. No. Something happened to Ethan at work. They had to call 911.”

“What happened? Where is he?”

“I’m not sure, but we think anaphylaxis. They’re taking him to the ER at Virginia Mason. Grant’s trying to get over there, but he’s stuck in traffic. So am I.”

Ethan had a severe peanut allergy. One of my sharpest childhood memories was when Ethan had unknowingly eaten something contaminated with peanuts. It had almost been fatal.

“I’ll be right there.”

“Thanks, son.”

I hung up and quickly told Nolan I had to go for a family emergency. Making sure I had my phone and keys, I rushed out of my office. It barely registered that Everly wasn’t at her desk—she was probably in the restroom. I headed straight for my car and drove to the hospital.