Chapter 16
NOVA
“That was some barbeque.” Mari sighs as she sinks into an overstuffed chair in front of the fireplace later that night. “Do you think the mayor had a good time?”
“How could he not?” Harlan offers with a smile.
“I wanted Clay to charm some of them,” she says, and my attention perks up. “He wasn’t very accommodating. Maybe he’s incapable of charm.”
“Or maybe it’s not his job.”
Two sets of eyes land on me.
I say, “You don’t need to pimp him out. Or any of them.”
“Harlan has all kinds of pressures on him running this team. It’s the least they can do.”
“Yeah, but Harlan doesn’t actually have to play basketball and have a camera in his face every second of the workday. No offense.”
Mari frowns at me. “What the hell has got into you?”
“Nothing.” I flash a smile and head toward the backyard, where staff are still cleaning up from the event.
After today, I have energy to burn.
I started out feeling intimidated and out of place, but now I’m energized.
I glance up at the window I was pressed against earlier.
Heat floods me, desire that makes my breasts tingle and heat pool between my thighs at the memory of being so close to him.
I want him and he wants me. That much is obvious, even if it still blows my mind.
For a moment, I thought he was going to slam me against the wall and take me like in one of my morning fantasies.
This feeling inside me has less to do with me and everything to do with Clay. His confidence is contagious. The way he doesn’t give a shit what anyone else thinks.
I go upstairs and take a shower. My wrist still hums from his lips.
It felt as if a knot came loose in my chest.
I think of what he told me about his struggles in college. It explains a lot about why he’s so self-contained and why he doesn’t trust easily.
His compliment on my art was amazing. When he said that it was good, I wanted to dismiss it, but a deeper part of me wanted to say:
I know.
I know I’m capable.
I know I can do this.
As much as I could turn into a puddle and spend the entire night replaying my time with Clay in my mind, I have things to do. After stepping out of the shower, I fold my hair in a towel and look at my sketchpad, still open to the images of him.
I grab my phone on the dresser to switch on some music, then spot a text.
Brooke: Did the dress get you the princess moment you wanted?
I bite my lip.
Nova: I’ll have it cleaned and back to you soon.
Brooke: If you got it that dirty, I’ll take that as a yes ;)
Nova: Thank you.
Brooke: That’s what friends are for.
I laugh. I could be friends with Brooke. She’s smart and fun, plus she’s kind and looks for the best in everyone.
I cross to my window seat, pull out my phone, and bring up the charity information Harlan sent.
The proposal is to add a program to help prepare teens from disadvantaged backgrounds for adult life, including finding jobs.
I have no doubt it would hit close to home for Mari, but I wonder how much they talk about the reason for that.
Next, I navigate to the Kodiaks' camp website.
The camp looks fabulous. The more I look, the more interested I am, and not only for Mari. It’s amazing the team invests so much. I get that it’s a PR activity, but the kids are clearly having an incredible time. They’re laughing and fitting in and trying new things.
Maybe Clay’s right and I’ve spent too much time sitting on the sidelines. I need to act.
No more putting my future in others’ hands. No more silently waiting on the design firm to investigate what happened with Brad.
I’m going to request an update on my leave and remind them I had nothing to do with the fraud.
I pull open a new email message and address it to the head of HR.
A few minutes later, I take a deep breath and hit Send.