Mercy (Salacious Players Club, #4)(50)

“What?” I ask.

“I’m about to close the Phoenix deal. I need you to sit in on the call with me.”

I should be more excited about this, but even work has felt menial and bleak lately.

“Um, yeah. That’s amazing. Sure,” I stammer.

He stares at me for a moment, his brow furrowing, and I know Emerson well enough to know that means he’s about to bring up something important.

“Maggie, this might sound forward, but…”

My temperature rises instantly, and I feel myself start to panic before he even gets the rest of his question out.

“I’d like you to consider running it.”

Wait. What?

My mouth falls open as I stare at him dumbfounded.

“I know. It’s a big decision, and you just bought that house, but it could be something temporary until we find someone more suitable to manage it, and then we can handle the ownership remotely. But with Garrett on the mend and Hunter, Drake, and Isabel expecting…”

“You want me to move to Phoenix?”

“It’s just an idea. Like I said, something temporary.”

“Because I don’t have a spouse or child, you mean. So it would just be easier for me.” There’s a hint of hostility in my tone and he picks up on it immediately.

“Because you’re a smart business woman,” he replies.

“Business owner,” I snap back, and he looks offended. I wish I could take it back, and I hate how defensive I feel, but the smallest mention of moving has me in fight or flight mode. And, apparently, I already have my punching gloves on.

If I leave Briar Point, I have to leave Beau. I know we’re not built for forever, but I’m not ready to stamp an expiration date on us just yet.

“Did I do something wrong?” Emerson asks with concern written all over his face.

I let out a huff and squeeze my eyes shut. “No. I’m sorry. It’s just…I don’t know.”

“You know I would never use your gender in any of our business matters. Have I done that to you before?”

When I open my eyes, I almost pity him. Because, of course, he doesn’t see that. How could he? Emerson has no idea what it’s like to be the only woman in a world of men, and all things considered, he’s one of the good ones. But treating me like he treats everyone else doesn’t mean things have been equal for me.

“Of course not, Emerson. I didn't mean that. I’ll give it some thought, okay? I promise.”

His face is still stoically serious as he leans in. “You could run the whole thing yourself, Maggie. Make it the way you want it. I wouldn’t offer that to just anyone.”

I swallow down the pride hearing that makes me feel, but it’s not that easy for me. But, instead of arguing with him, I tuck the idea away for the moment and nod my head in agreement. “Thank you.”

After a tense smile, he glances down at the case we’re hovering over. When his eyes trail up to my face, a spark of mischief hinting there, I blush and glance away.

“Shopping for anyone in particular?” he asks.

“I was doing inventory,” I lie, and he laughs in response, which means he reads right through it.

“Okay.” Then he stares down at the collars before subtly adding, “I’ve heard the snapping buckles are more comfortable than the others.”

My cheeks start to heat up with embarrassment. I can’t talk about this with him, for multiple reasons. The first and biggest one being that his son would be wearing it for me. Then, there’s the discomfort of me being too reserved in general to discuss it so openly.

“I’m doing inventory—”

“I don’t mean to pry,” he says, interrupting me. “But I heard you ladies talking in the kitchen that night, and I know you took the quiz. I know you well enough to guess what the results were. And I’m just offering it to you without obligation, but if you ever need advice—”

“I don’t,” I snap. “Thank you, though.”

“Don’t feel bad, Maggie. You’ve got this.” He rests a reassuring hand on my back and I force a smile.

For a moment, I almost wish I could talk to him about this. Emerson has been my closest friend for over a decade and up until now, work has been the only thing we have in common.

Then, with a wicked grin, he adds, “Get the black one. He’ll love it.” And once again, my cheeks flush and my eyes widen, and I try to hide my discomfort. God, if he only knew what he was suggesting…

With that, he stands up and adjusts his suit. “The call with the Phoenix owners is in an hour. I can’t do it without you.”

I smile. “Relax, little boy. I’ll be there.”

With a wink, he turns and walks away. My smile fades as I glance back down at the collars. It was a short-lived dream. If I’m moving to Arizona anytime soon, I can’t give Beau the commitment this would symbolize.

So maybe an expiration date is exactly what we need. If there is a deadline, then my heart will know better than to get attached. Once I leave, this is over.





The meeting with Phoenix runs longer than I expected, and it’s well past seven when I finally leave the club. I haven’t seen Beau all day, and that shouldn’t be as weird as it feels. The rain is coming down in sheets when I run out to my car. The moment I’m safely tucked inside the driver’s seat, I pull out my phone.