Page 6 of All Yours

“He doth protest too much,” Camden said.

“You doth can kiss my ass,” Adrian said. “No one ever gets onto you about whatever you’re up to with Sloane.”

“She’s my friend,” I stated, fixing a stare on Adrian to make sure he understood. There was nothing going on between me and Sloane.

Camden laughed. “Alright. Tell you what, I’ll call Lauren and see what’s up. But I’m telling you they lost track of time while talking or shopping or something. You’re worried about nothing.”

“She could just be sick of working for your ass,” I said.

“Thanks,” Adrian said, ignoring me. “Let me know if anything’s wrong.”

The phone disconnected and Adrian turned to go.

“There’s nothing going on with Sloane,” I called after him.

He turned back and leveled me with a solemn expression.

“There’s not,” I replied, hands on hips.

“Dude, Chasity left two years ago. It’s past time to move on.”

I flinched like he’d thrown a punch. I’d have preferred it if he did. That name was still like a hit to the gut. Why was everyone so interested in my love life all of a sudden?

“I’ve moved on,” I barked. “Now drop it.”

“If you say so.” He turned and strolled away.

Chapter Three

Sloane

It’s impossible. The two characters don’t mesh. I stared at the pathetic few lines I’d typed onto the computer screen and sighed. The house was clean; my errands were done. There was nothing left to do but write my next novel. Words escaped me at the time I needed them most.

“Admit it,” I said aloud to no one. “Your hero is a total dud.” The buzzing of my phone saved me from continuing this fruitless discussion with myself. Jonah’s grinning profile picture popped up on the screen.

“Hey, long time no see,” I answered the call, ignoring the flutters that flittered through my stomach.

“Right. This project has consumed my life. How’d your girls’ trip go?”

I paused for a second. Did he know something? “It was good.”

“I figured. Adrian was all worried that Eden called out for the first time.”

“Oh. Well, it just took a little longer than she’d first thought.” I tried to sound as nonchalant as possible. The whole move along, there’s nothing to see here routine. “How’s the project coming along?” I asked to change the subject. The last thing I wanted to do was admit what had happened on the trip.

He exhaled in my ear. “Sometimes good workers are hard to find. I don’t get it. It’s good money for several weeks of work. But you remember that adage if you want something done right.”

“Do it yourself.”

“Exactly.”

“But you can’t do it all yourself.”

“Ga, you sound like my mom,” he said, his voice tinged with laughter.

A smile formed. “She’s right.”

“Yeah, but we don’t admit that.”