Chapter 11
LAILA
There are several things about this chalet weekend that I’ve enjoyed.
One, the food is incredible. Two, the pressure of getting to know Devin’s coworkers hasn’t been so bad.
Three, I’ve been able to spend the afternoons here in the library working.
It feels like a semi-private fort, complete with a fireplace and hundreds of books around me.
And, of course, my time spent with Devin has made it obvious that he’s a truly sweet guy.
He’s been caring, protective, and incredibly considerate.
Even though this excursion started out as a way for us both to get out of strange circumstances, it’s clear that we’re developing feelings for each other.
The thing that’s still unclear is whether it’s purely physical. I have to keep reminding myself that I’ve only known him a few days.
My phone is set to silent, but when I glance at the screen, I see a slew of texts coming in from Megan.
Megan: Where are you? The photoshoot is starting in three hours! We all have to get our nails done the same color.
Megan: Bryce has been asking about you. He’s super excited for this romantic Valentine shoot we’re all doing!
Megan: Mom said you mentioned being away for the whole weekend, but you’ll be back for this, right?
Bryce: Hey Laila – I finally got Megan to give me your number. It feels like a sign. You’re not going to miss the photoshoot, are you? I want to get some really frisky shots of us together ;)
Ew.
I never want to be in a room with that guy again.
“Hey, gorgeous.” Devin drops into the chair beside me, then he notices my expression. “Wait – are you okay? Your entire face just clenched.”
I pass him the phone and point at the screen. His eyes roll when he reads Megan’s texts, then I notice how his jaw tightens at Bryce’s.
“You told your mom you were going away for the weekend, didn’t you?”
“Yes! I told her I was off to that library retreat with a friend. I also told Megan three times that I was going to be away. She obviously wasn’t listening.”
“Hmm.” Devin sets my phone down, then takes my hand. “But this Bryce guy, I mean, maybe those frisky photos could lead to something, if you play your cards right.”
His completely deadpan delivery triggers an abrupt burst of laughter that’s far too loud for a library.
My phone rings, and my mouth falls open when I see it’s Bryce. I snatch my hands away from the phone, then let them flutter over my mouth. “I can’t answer that,” I whisper.
“Baby.” Devin’s hand lands on my thigh. “Do you want me to take care of this?”
“Please,” I squeak.
He jumps to his feet and answers, his deep voice booming and authoritative. “Laila’s phone, can I help you?” There’s a pause, and I return his grin.
“I’m afraid she’s in the shower right now.
And we’ll be busy for the rest of the day with Valentine activities”…
he draws out the word…“here at the ski lodge.” He pauses again to wink at me.
“May I take a message and have her return your call Sunday evening?” Another brief pause.
“Fine. I’ll tell her you called. Have a wonderful day, Bryce. ”
Devin’s grin is adorably evil. “He sounded like he was about to piss himself. I don’t think you’ll be hearing from him again.”
“Thank you!” I jump to my feet, throwing my arms around him. “I’m sorry – when I get flustered, my brain sometimes kind of…you know…short circuits. I lose the ability to speak my mind.”
“It’s okay, baby.”
I catch his chin with my hand and take a deep breath. “No, it’s not. I’m so sorry, I should have explained that better from the beginning. It’s why I kind of froze last night when you mentioned condoms. I should have told you right away… I’m on the pill.”
There's a noise behind Devin. When I look over his shoulder, my eyes meet Callan’s.
Crap on a stick. There's zero possibility she didn't hear that last bit of our conversation.
Just as I begin to sputter, Jim comes up behind her.
"Devin, I hate to talk work on our getaway weekend, but I just got a call from the McKenzies. They’re freaking out about some stock fluctuations in their portfolio. Can I borrow you for just a minute?"
Devin grips my elbow, looking deeply into my eyes before following Jim out into the hallway.
Callan steps closer, examining my face carefully. "Devin said that you've been married for a year. I don't know any married couple who wouldn't have their birth control situation figured out by now."
"That's private," I say, taking a step back.
"Still…" Her eyes turn suspicious. "Devin didn't know you hate coconut. He doesn’t know you're on the pill." Suddenly her eyes go wide. “Oh my… Did he hire you? Are you some kind of…you know…" Her voice drops to a scandalized whisper. "Escort?"
"No!" My hands fly up in front of my face. "It's not like that at all."
"What is it like, then?" Callan cocks her hip and folds her arms in front of her, staring me down.
"It's completely innocent, I swear."
My mind is spiraling, trying to come up with possible twists to our lie that won't make it worse for Devin. Lies upon lies is not a good way to start a relationship. If I mess this up, Devin isn't going to want to be with me one second longer than necessary.
But instead of any reasonable excuse popping into my brain I simply freeze, like a deer in the headlights.
Jim and Devin step back into the library, and Jim playfully tugs at Callan's elbow. "Come along, Lawrence and Janine are waiting for us in the lobby." He looks toward me. "Are you coming skiing this afternoon, Laila?"
"No, I need to keep reading."
"We'll see you at dinner, then. Don’t work too hard."
Jim is already returning to what feels like a previous conversation as he says to Devin, "Lawrence will also know what to do with the McKenzies. They’re good clients, but my goodness, they can get jumpy… "
Devin shoots me a look of apology, while Callan fires another look of confusion my way.
Seconds later, I'm alone again, trying to figure out how to be as honest as possible while not torpedoing Devin's career. We’re here this weekend hopefully to get him promoted, not fired.
And if I ruin his chances with this company, he would be perfectly in his rights to blame me for it.