Sofia~
Jessica called the server for another round. It’s my third and fourth for them. She added hot nuts, Pringles, bacon-flavored fries, and three glasses of water.
“You gonna finish all of that?” I raised a brow at her once the server was out of earshot.
Jessica grinned wickedly, her cheeks tinted pink. “Nope. But you will pay. I know Lewis gave you a bonus for accepting Baron Sawyer.”
Georgia gasped while my eyes narrowed to slits. “I wonder who told you that,” I said, not even bothering to deny it. I know the answer, anyway.
She giggled, eyes dancing with mischief. “No one told me.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re such a liar. Want me to file a complaint to HR against your boy toy?”
“Hey!” she pouts. “He’s not my boy toy.” As if on cue, her phone lit up from the table. She peeked at it, smiling like a sap as she typed a reply.
“I’m not surprised. Taking on Baron Sawyers will not be a walk in the park,” Georgia nudged my shoulder as the server arrived with our drinks and the bowls of Jessica’s snacks.
I reached for the pringles, pulling the bowl closer to me since that was Jessica’s favorite. I want to annoy her, but she doesn’t even notice. She had googly eyes staring at her phone.
“I heard even Norman Wood declined him,” Georgia continued, reaching for a glass of martini.
Norman Wood Public Relations is one of the biggest PR companies in Boston. Lewis told me he’d decline Baron if I didn’t accept him.
Baron Sawyer is a Sox superstar accused by his ex-wife of domestic violence, cheating, and abuse and currently fighting for custody of his three-year-old daughter.
I don’t think he did what he’s being accused of, but my opinion of his situation has no bearing on my job. He needs us to do damage control with the public trial his ex-wife has put him into.
“I know,” I answered Georgia. “Dealing with vengeful wives is always crazy.”
Georgia giggled. “But I know you can handle that. I didn’t do much with Chase, honestly. You had a well-laid plan.”
“Thanks,” I murmured as Jessica tucked her phone in her bag.
“So…” Jessica started.
“No,” I said pointedly. One look, and I know what she’s about to say. Her cheeks were flushed, but I don’t think alcohol had anything to do with that.
“You don’t even know what I’m about to say!” She groaned.
“Want me to guess?” I raised a brow. Georgia crossed one leg over the other, leaning back on the couch, enjoying Jessica squirming in her seat.
“Come on,” Jessica pouts. “Franko is on his way.”
“But you invited us here,” I protested. “Now you’re gonna bail on us? And you ordered too much food.”
She looked down at her lap and fumbled with her fingers. When she looked up, she had dreamy eyes. “I think he’s gonna ask me to be his girlfriend tonight.”
“Really?!” Tasked, my anger melted into excitement.
Jessica nodded eagerly. “I mean, we’ve been going out for a month. We still haven’t done the deed, but he just invited me to spend the night at his place.”
“Alright,” I pressed. “But I want details. Every spicy detail.
“Every dirty spicy detail,” Georgia demanded.
Jessica covered her face, shoulders shaking as she giggled nervously. “I’m nervous. I’ve never been nervous about sleepovers before.”
Georgia and I cooed like fools. I like Franko for Jessica. He is such a gentleman and obviously cared about my best friend.
Franko appeared by the door ten minutes later, apologizing for kidnapping our date. Georgia and I went for another round and called it a night.
“Are you sure?” Georgia asked when I told her I’d walk home. I live five blocks away from the pub.
“It’s nine pm. It’s not like I’m gonna walk in a dark alley.” I gestured to the busy sidewalk. “And I might stop by the convenience store for some ice cream.”
She gave me a skeptical look. “Ice cream? It’s fucking freezing!”
I giggled as her cab arrived. “Go on now. I know you’re eager to call Rafael.”
She blew out a breath, condensation creating white air as she did. “I hope he answers, though.”
“He will. Rafael is one of the good ones.” I opened the door for her. She hugged me before sliding into the backseat of her uber.
I didn’t actually buy ice cream, but I bought a bottle of wine. I planned to continue watching Jack Ryan where I left off.
As I was slotting the key into my door, the elevator dinged, and heavy footsteps approached me.
Curious, I lifted my gaze and grumbled when I saw who it was.
“What are you doing here, Kyle?” I faced him. Annoyance flashed on my forehead in bright neon lights.
He held a bouquet of roses and a bottle of wine. Some sentences are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on Jobnib.com. Visit Jobnib.com to read the complete chapters for free. I already asked security not to let him in. I took a mental note to file another complaint to the building management. He had been randomly showing up here and at the office, bringing gifts I did not want or need.
If this was before our relationship imploded in my face, I would’ve fallen head over heels for his persistence. But that is not the case. He’s about to get married in a few days. I don’t get why he still insists on pursuing it.
“I got the DNA result,” he said, standing before me. He pulled out a white envelope from his coat pocket and handed it to me.
“What has that got to do with me?” I stared at the envelope with furrowed brows. He set the wine and flowers on the floor and opened the document. He showed it to me, and I reluctantly read the content.
It wasn’t a match. The baby wasn’t his.
I met his blue eyes. They were misting as he waited for my reaction.
“The baby isn’t mine, Sofia,” he whispered, dropping the paper on the floor to cup my face. “I told you. The baby wasn’t mine. This was all Mom and Katerina’s doing….”
This news left me speechless. My throat tightened as my thoughts drifted to Jessica. She’d have her hands full once this news got out.
I zoned out, failing to understand Kyle’s statements. “… it’s you I want to marry, baby.”
“W-what?” I gasped. My eyes went as wide as a saucer when Kyle pressed his lips against mine. My grip on the grocery bag tightened.
His lips felt familiar and not at the same time. It was still those soft lips that had worshiped my body for three years. The same ones that I longed to kiss good morning and good night when we were still together. However, the spark isn’t there. There were no butterflies in my belly, no toe-curling sensation.
I lifted my free hand between us, pushed at his chest, and groaned in protest.
“Kyle-”
“We can be together now, Sofia,” he said, crushing his lips against mine again, locking an arm around my waist.
“No!” I hissed, but he was too strong. I squirmed when he lapped at my lip and forced his tongue in between.
One second I was struggling to get free from Kyle’s iron hold, and the next, I was looking down as another man hauled Kyle with punch after punch.
I could only see his back, but I’d recognize that hot, sexy back anywhere.
Chase.