Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 97079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
“It can be when I’m putting the same makeup on the same person day after day, but then we’ll have a cool episode with a guest appearance, or I get to work on something in fantasy and it changes things up, makes it exciting again.”
Her passion for what she does is written on her face. I hate that I put her in a box and gave her a label she didn’t deserve. She’s the one who reached out to me when the wedding planning started. She tolerated my assholery, met it with a smile, even. “You’re incredible,” I blurt.
She laughs and looks away, brushing away the compliment. “In bed.”
“Don’t.” I skim the edge of her jaw, urging her to look at me. “Don’t do that.”
Her face softens. “I’m used to people telling me I’m pretty, not that I’m smart.”
“Well, you’re both, so you should own them equally.”
“So are you.” Her fingers skim the back of my hand.
We lean in, tipping our heads. Our lips brush, once, twice, a third time.
But before I have a chance to kiss her, the door swings open.
We separate in a rush.
“Honey bear! Essie! Have you finally come to your senses? Realized I’m the one?”
“It’s still a no from me, Flip, but I applaud your tenacity.” Essie tucks her tablet back into her purse. “I should probably head out. I have an early morning.”
I scramble for a reason for her to stay. “Don’t we have a few more things to go over?”
“I’ll message if I have any questions.” She winks and pats my chest as she heads for the door.
I follow, seeing her out.
When she’s gone, I turn to Flip. “Seriously, dude, your timing is the worst.”
“You have a bedroom with a door. You could have taken her in there. Or didn’t you want her to see your serial-killer-level tidiness?”
“I don’t think you’ve ever hit the laundry basket. And that isn’t even the point. You could have warned me you were coming home early.”
“And you could have gone to Essie’s apartment, where she lives, on her own. But you didn’t, and that’s on you, isn’t it, honey bear?” He pats me on the shoulder. “I’m going to leave you and your sexual frustration to fester.”
His bedroom door closes with a quiet snick, cutting off his low chuckle.
Lesson learned, I guess.
CHAPTER 16
ESSIE
“How excited are you for an actual vacation?” Indigo, one of my colleagues, sips her lemon drop martini.
“With an entire hockey team,” Cosmo adds.
“Literally, you’re living the dream,” Tanvi sighs.
“It’ll be so fun,” I agree.
The hockey players are hot, but it’s the broody engineer I’m looking forward to spending time with naked. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as I glance over to find the very man who has been living rent free in my head since Vegas, walking through the door of the bar.
Cosmo’s gaze follows mine. “The hot nerd vibe is so strong.”
“Isn’t that the guy you were talking to last week? The one who chased off your creepy influencer stalker?”
“It is.” My heart rate spikes, and I turn back to my work friends. “Do I have anything in my teeth?”
“You are runway ready, girl,” Tanvi assures me.
I fluff out my hair, roll my shoulders back, and adopt a warm smile as he approaches. Other parts of me warm as his gaze finds mine. His friends head to the pool tables, but he crosses to me.
“Hey, Ess.” A smile curves his full mouth and his gaze roves over me on a slow sweep.
“Hi, Nate. Here for a little after work unwind?” I ask.
“Yeah. It’s our regular spot.”
“It’s becoming ours, too.” Cosmo extends their hand. “We’ve heard all about you. Good things, though.” They wink. “I’m Cosmo.”
“And this is Indigo and Tanvi. They work on set with me.”
“It’s great to meet you.” Nate waves at them, then turns back to me. “We’re about to rack up. If you want to join, we could play doubles. If pool is your jam.”
“Essie loves playing with balls,” Indigo offers.
Cosmo snorts and Tanvi elbows them in the side.
Nate smirks.
My cheeks and everything else heat.
“She would love to,” Indigo says for me.
“Ess?” He extends his hand.
“Sure, why not.” I slip my fingers into his and let him help me down.
“You should have stuck around the other night. Flip went over to Dred’s and got his ass kicked at chess,” Nate says quietly.
“You miss my nipples that much, eh?”
“We both know I’m a sucker for pretty things that sparkle.” He settles his palm on my lower back. “And I happen to love the way you moan my name when my mouth is on you.”
“Are you getting me back for all the texts in Vegas?”
“Is it working?” We reach the pool tables, and his thumb sweeps along the exposed skin of my back, sending a shiver down my spine.