Just One Kiss (Very Irresistible Bachelors #2) - Layla Hagen Page 0,65
over next to her, laughing when she made a little sound of protest.
“We weren’t exactly quiet,” she said on a chuckle. “But the walls are thick. We’re good.”
I turned on one side, just looking at her before reaching out and drawing my fingers up and down her stomach.
“Heather, I meant what I said earlier. I love you.”
I caught her smile before she rolled over, hiding her face in my chest. “I’m not saying it just because you’re saying it, but I love you too.”
“And you’re scared about it.”
She pulled back, looking up at me. “A little.”
“Don’t be.”
“You’re not allowing me?”
“Damn right, I’m not.”
“Wow. That’s impressive.”
“So it’s working.”
She grinned. “I’d say you’re on the right path.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ryker
Heather and Avery came to my apartment the following week. I realized within a few hours that my place was boring as hell for a kid, so I made plans to take them shopping on Saturday.
As I prepared to leave my office on Friday evening, Owen knocked at the door. “Got a minute?”
“Sure.”
“A reporter might contact you. Hank Dawson.”
I stopped in the act of shutting of my computer. “He already tried to approach me. What’s his deal?”
“I contacted him. Thought it wouldn’t be bad to have various publications on top of this. He wants to write a story on this.”
“I’m not talking to him.”
“He can write the article even without your contribution.”
“You know Heather’s taken a risk by writing a piece that paints us in a positive light, right? The least you can do is make sure it’s exclusive.”
“We all take risks.”
“This is bullshit, Owen, and you know it.”
“I see what’s going on. This isn’t strictly professional for you, is it?”
“Heather and I are dating, but that’s none of your business.”
He shoved his hands in his pockets, shaking his head. “Maybe not, but the people who make it on top in this business are the ones for whom work comes first.”
“Then get to the age of fifty and take trophy wives twenty years younger. I don’t need advice on that topic.”
I didn’t give him a chance to say anything else, just shut off my laptop and walked straight past him. I was still furious by the time I was out of the building.
I dropped by my sisters’ store. I’d possibly done it out of instinct, because I hadn’t heard from them in a few days. I expected to see my sisters inside, either huddled over their laptops at the counter or arranging merchandise on shelves, as usual.
I had not expected to see the store closed. It was only seven o’clock in the evening. Their usual opening hours were until nine. Again, instinct told me something was wrong.
I took out my phone, calling Tess. It went straight to voicemail. Shit, what was happening? I called Skye next. She didn’t pick up, but at least it didn’t go to voicemail, so I tried again. The fourth time, she picked up.
“Ryker,” she greeted. “Sorry, I’d put it on silent.”
“Hi! I’m in front of your store.”
“Oh, we’re not there.”
“I figured that out. How come?”
Skye didn’t answer. I ran a hand through my hair, trying to summon some of that calm I was so known for.
“We’ve decided to cut the opening hours shorter. We’re both so tired, and we need to rethink some things.”
“What happened?”
Again, silence. It was freaking me out. Skye had two modes: dragon mode or pacifier mode. Silence meant she was in so much trouble that she had no idea how to get out.
“Where are you?” I asked.
“At Tess’s place.”
“I can come over.”
“I have a better idea. I’ll meet you in the city. Being inside isn’t helping.”
“Okay. Is Tess coming too?”
“Nah. She’s asleep. Don’t want to wake her up.”
“She’s sleeping at 7:00 p.m.? Skye, what’s happening?” I pressed my forehead against the cool window.
“It’s been a rough week.”
“Rough how? Can I help?”
More silence.
“Skye, what’s wrong? This isn’t like you.”
“The investor we were talking with decided not to work with us anymore.”
I clasped my phone tightly, balled the other hand in a fist.
“Shit. Anything else?” It was more of a rhetorical question, but I braced myself when Skye exhaled sharply.
“The guy I was dating said I was a buzzkill and no fun, and he didn’t need that in his life.”
“He just told you that after you’ve had one of the roughest weeks ever?”
“Yes. So I’ve been a bit out of sorts. Tess has dealt with a bunch of paperwork all by herself, and now she’s exhausted.” Her voice wobbled on every third word. I prided myself on being