Chapter 29
twenty-nine
. . .
Wick
I stared at the endless columns of numbers on my computer screen, the figures blurring together into an incomprehensible jumble. Sighing, I leaned back in my chair, pinching the bridge of my nose in a futile attempt to stave off the building tension headache.
Fuck, I was tired. Soul-wearying exhaustion clung to me. The price of too many late nights and early mornings spent pouring over financial reports and strategic plans. The pressure to keep Price Industries at the top of its game was a constant weight on my shoulders that never seemed to ease.
My phone buzzed on the desk, the screen lighting up with a new text message.
MEGHAN:
I’m bored. Entertain me.
I snorted, shaking my head. Only Meghan would demand entertainment in the middle of a workday.
WICK
And how exactly am I supposed to do that from across town, Your Highness?
MEGHAN
IDK, you’re the brains of this operation. Figure it out.
I bit back a laugh, my fingers already flying over the screen.
WICK
Pretty sure that’s not in my job description.
MEGHAN
Pretty sure “keeping girlfriend happy” is like, the first line.
Another text popped up before I could respond, this one from Marco.
MARCO
If you two are sexting without me, I’m going to be very put out.
I rolled my eyes, even as a grin split my face.
WICK
You wish, Casanova.
MARCO
A man can dream.
MEGHAN
Boys, boys. There’s plenty of me to go around.
MARCO
Dibs on the top half!
WICK
Fuck off, I called dibs on that last night.
MEGHAN
Children, please. No fighting or nobody gets any tonight.
My loud laugh drew curious looks from the suits passing by my glass-walled office. I schooled my features into something resembling professionalism, but inside, I was giddy as a fucking teenager.
Part of me kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, for reality to come crashing down and shatter our fragile happiness. Yet every day that passed, every time we fucked, I could feel myself getting in deeper. It was terrifying and exhilarating in equal measure.
WICK
Yes, dear.
MARCO
*cat emoji* whipped.
WICK
Shut it, Rossi. *middle finger emoji*
MEGHAN
Both of you, behave or I’m withholding orgasms.
MARCO
You’re a cruel mistress.
MEGHAN
And don’t you forget it.
I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to get my shit together. As much as I wanted to spend the rest of the day trading jabs and innuendos with the two most important people in my life, I had actual work to do.
WICK
As riveting as this conversation is, some of us have jobs to get back to.
MEGHAN
Spoilsport.
MARCO
Nerd.
WICK
Children.
MEGHAN
You love us.
WICK
Yeah, I guess.
MEGHAN
We love you too, Wick. So damn much.
MARCO
What she said, cucciolo.
Warmth seeped through my veins. I felt steady. Centered in a way I never had before. Because no matter what happened, I had Meghan and Marco in my corner.
A ping from my computer jolted me out of my sappy musings. I glanced at the screen, my brow furrowing as I saw the email from Thomas.
Subject: URGENT - Board Meeting
Wick,
Your presence is required at the quarterly board meeting tomorrow afternoon. Kindly be in the executive floor conference room promptly at 2 p.m.
Thomas Price
CEO, Price Industries
I blew out a breath, dragging a hand through my hair. Fuck. This was the last thing I needed right now. Facing down a bunch of stuffy board members who still thought it was 1950 while trying to navigate the minefield of my fractured relationship with Emmett. It was a recipe for disaster. But what choice did I have? At least Meghan would be there, too.
WICK
Apparently my presence is required at the board meeting tomorrow.
MEGHAN
Shit, really?
MARCO
Is that weird?
MEGHAN
Not necessarily. But I feel like I would know why he was being brought in unless…
WICK
It has something to do with us.
MARCO
Fuck.
MEGHAN
I’m sure it will be fine. And I will be right there with you the whole time.
WICK
Maybe they just want me to come in and prove I’m more than just a pretty face.
MARCO
Impossible. That face is a work of art.
WICK
Flatterer.
MEGHAN
He’s not wrong, though.
I laughed, shaking my head. These two were going to be the death of me. But what a way to go.
WICK
Alright, alright. Enough stroking my ego. I really do have to get back to work.
MARCO
I can think of something else I’d like to stroke...
MEGHAN
MARCO.
WICK
Down, boy. Save it for later.
MARCO
Promises, promises.
WICK
I always keep my promises, Rossi. You should know that by now.
MEGHAN
Boys. Work. Now.
WICK
Yes, dear.
MARCO
Yes, dear.
MEGHAN
Good. Try not to stress, Wick. We’ll handle it.
MARCO
What she said. But with more Italian endearments thrown in for good measure.
These two ridiculous, amazing people. What the hell would I do without them?
WICK
I promise. Now, don’t you two have important world-changing things to do? Go on, get out of here. Make me proud.
MEGHAN
Sir, yes sir! *salute emoji*
MARCO
Aye aye, captain. But don’t think you’re off the hook. We’re going to have a nice long chat later about the importance of self-care and emotional vulnerability.
WICK
Looking forward to it. Now seriously, go away. Some of us have actual work to do.
MEGHAN
Love you, babe.
MARCO
What she said. But with more innuendo.
WICK
Love you both. Now seriously, fuck off. I have important business things to attend to.
MEGHAN
*kissing heart emoji*
MARCO
*eggplant emoji* *peach emoji* *winking face emoji*