Headlines (Prime Time #3) - Ella Frank Page 0,39
Xander. He’s not going to let years of friendship go down the drain because of who you’re dating.”
“Even if it’s his brother?”
“Even then. He’s not that stupid. Now, if it was Kieran—”
I shoved him in the arm, and Sean chuckled.
“I’m just kidding. But in all seriousness, Bay isn’t the kind to hold a grudge. I’m actually surprised he’s carried this on for as long as he has.”
“He’s hurting.”
“Yeah. But so are you, and the sooner you two can get together and talk about it, the better.”
I agreed but then had a horrible thought. “Maybe my birthday isn’t the best place for us to reunite. Do you think I should try to see if he wants to meet up before then?”
“I mean, it’s not a terrible idea. But it’s not like you two are going to have a drag-out fistfight in front of friends and family.”
True, Bailey and I weren’t the type to settle things with a wrestling match. But still, I didn’t want things to be awkward. Maybe I should call him? See if he wanted to meet up. But then I thought about his message again. If he wanted to meet up in advance, he would’ve said so. But he’d been pretty specific in what he was willing to do at this stage. I shouldn’t push my luck.
“You’re right. I’m sure it’ll be fine. He wouldn’t have agreed if he felt uncomfortable.”
“Exactly. Plus, Boudreaux will be there to keep an eye on Bailey. He wants the two of you to make up also. He’s going to do everything he can to get you two talking.”
I pressed a kiss to Sean’s jaw. “Okay, I’ll leave it alone. I’m just happy he got back to me.”
“Me too. But I think this is the perfect way to restart things.”
I nodded and then shifted off Sean’s lap so I could get to my feet. “You want a nightcap before bed?”
Sean stood and took my hands in his, drawing me in close and wrapping my arms around behind his back.
“Nah, I realized tonight, while waiting here for you, that I don’t need that anymore. Not to calm me down or to get me through a shit day at work.”
“No?”
“No. I just need you.”
My stomach flipped, and I took a step back. But, not wanting to end this moment we were sharing, I took his hand in mine.
“I really am sorry about the magazine. I know it couldn’t have been easy dealing with the guys at work.”
Sean shrugged. “I don’t give a shit about the guys at work. The only person I was slightly concerned with was Nichols, since I have to sit in a car with him. But you know what?”
“What?”
“He already knew. Told me that you make me more tolerable, so you’re all right in his books.”
“More tolerable?”
“Yeah, something about being more human and less of a grumpy shit.”
“Hmm, sweet maybe?”
Sean snorted. “I’m pretty sure that’s the last fucking thing Nichols would think of me. But since I’m not sleeping with him, I don’t really care.”
“Good to know.”
“Yeah, I figured you were worried.”
“So worried.” I laughed as I headed off down the hall, tugging Sean along behind me. “But I bet I can think of something that will help keep me on your mind, even when I’m not around.”
Sean pulled me into his arms, then lowered his mouth by my ear. “I don’t ever need help thinking about you, anchorman. Not ever. And if that makes me sweet, then I guess you’re going to get a fucking toothache, because that’s not about to stop, ever.”
I turned my face until we were nose to nose and gently kissed his lips. “Well, how about you take me to bed and show me how sweet you are ‘under the covers.’”
Sean frowned, and then started to laugh. “Okay, that was bad, especially for you.”
Not bothered in the least, I headed off toward his bedroom and called out over my shoulder, “That’s because it wasn’t my work. But if you hurry up and get naked, I’ll do my very best to research the story under discussion and come up with a much better headline.”
Clearly Sean was all about the work, because in the blink of an eye he was naked and pulling me into bed, determined to help me research my next big—very big—story.
21
Sean
THE VIBRATING OF a phone on the bedside table made my eyes open Friday morning before my alarm had a chance to go off. It was still dark outside, but as the phone lit up