Waiting For It - Allyson Lindt Page 0,48

door, but if you accept, you report to me, not Luke, effective immediately.”

It didn’t matter that Luke had warned me this was being considered; actually hearing Scott make the offer stalled my brain. I had the sense not to ask things like what? and are you sure? But most other mental functions left me.

“Anne?” Scott prompted.

I shook off the shock. “Okay. I mean, yes please. That is... I’ll take it? Whatever it is I’m supposed to say.”

“Yes will do fine.” Scott chuckled.

We talked over a few more details, and he promised me an offer letter on Monday.

“Go home, both of you. Details are none of my business.” Scott fixed me with a pointed glare. “Take the weekend off. You’ve both earned more, but that’s the best I can give until the game is in players’ hands.”

Exhaustion and relief flooded me, making my limbs feel like lead, as we headed back to Luke’s car.

He pointed us toward my house. “Do you want to celebrate?” he asked.

“Yes, but no. Maybe something small. I want to save the big one until I’m actually doing the work.”

“Sounds fair.”

“This doesn’t change anything else between us.” I hated saying it, but the point needed to be pounded into the ground a few more times, apparently.

Luke twisted his mouth. “I didn’t figure it would.”

What else was there to say?

Chapter Twenty-Four

When Luke dropped me off, he insisted on carrying my bags inside, even though I argued that I’d be fine. The thanks, see you Monday we exchanged was one of the most awkward things ever, and I’d just had HR play audio of my boss telling me he hoped I was tight when he fucked me.

I closed the door behind him and sank to the floor. The last week made me intensely aware of how empty my house was.

Fortunately, friends were just a message away. I sent Sadie and Lyn a text, letting them know I was back and that we should hang out tomorrow. Celebrate my not-quite-yet promotion. They understood when I said I needed tonight for self-care.

I showered without having to work around anyone else’s schedule. That was nice. I yanked on my most comfy T-shirt and PJ bottoms, without worrying about who might see me in them. And I pulled my damp hair back from my face in a terrycloth headband.

None of the motions distracted me from missing Luke and Chase. My actions didn’t convince me I was making the right decision by pushing them away. I could call, and they’d probably make time for me. Both of them.

Why was I fighting this?

What if I’m wrong? What if people get hurt? What if I get hurt?

But what if I was right? What if being with them was right? What if the last couple of days were a glimpse of how incredible things could be, despite setbacks? Didn’t it count for something that I loved them?

Love. My own admission caught me off guard. It was true, though.

My phone buzzed from its spot on the table next to the door, startling me. The text from Sadie said knock knock.

A heartbeat later, someone knocked, giving me my second heart attack in so many seconds. It would be Sadie and probably Lyn. So much for self-care. Not that I minded the company.

I opened the door, to find Chase and Luke on the other side. Hello, Heart Attack Number Three. Especially with the way they both looked me over.

Chase held up a plastic bag with steam condensing on the inside. “Dinner? You got Sadie’s message, I assume?” His gaze had stalled on my chest. So he was behind the knock knock text.

“You’re going to bribe me with food, so you can stare at my boobs?” I asked playfully.

“Food... Money... Promises of amazing orgasms...”

Luke shook his head and tugged on my hair. “I like this look on you.”

“You like any look on her,” Chase said.

“Truth.”

I stepped aside to let them in. “Explain?” I meant to say, to what do I owe this unexpected but wonderful visit, but my brain and mouth were out of sync.

“We figured, if you were planning on staring blankly at the TV tonight, and we were planning on staring blankly at the TV tonight, we could do it together.” Luke made everything sound so reasonable.

“At my house.” Duh, me.

Chase grinned. “You’re the one with the amazing theater room.”

“Which you talked me into.” Why was I arguing? I was elated they were here. It was perfect.

“Not that you needed a lot of convincing,” Chase said.

Luke grabbed the takeout