Three Simple Rules (The Blindfold Club #1) (30 page)

I wanted him. I started to think about locking his office door, or how long we could be in here with the door closed before people would start to wonder why the interview was taking so long. His tongue dipped into my mouth, stroking mine, and desire flamed so hot I knew I was flushed.

My hand had a mind of its own, and inched down until he pushed it away and shot me an annoyed look.

“We can’t do that, even if I want to.”

I knew he did, because he was sporting a semi. “You want me to throw some cold water on you?” I joked.

“No, I’ve got my desk to hide behind until that goes away. You, naughty girl, have to go back to your cube now, all flushed.”

I bit my lip. “Okay, boss. Just, please tell me you didn’t interview Gary this way.”

His face got a hard edge. “Wow, look at that. Crisis in my pants solved.”

I flashed him a smug smile.

chapter

TWENTY

Another two weeks passed before we hit the first bump. I was on my way to Logan’s place when Blake called and asked if I was available to grab lunch the next afternoon. Gone was the awkwardness. I firmly loved Logan, and Blake was my friend, so I was happy to get to see him again.

I hadn’t seen much of Logan recently. He’d spent the last week evaluating the staff over at PC. Not all of them were going to transition, and he’d been trying to make his own judgments without any office politics in play. As suspected, my only competition for the supervisor position was Kathleen. A follow-up interview had been set with Logan and the creative director for Kathleen and me individually. Ultimately it was Logan’s call on who stepped into the role, but Will wanted to help if Logan was on the fence.

I didn’t think anything of my lunch appointment until I’d curled up beside Logan right after a mind-draining session, snuggling under his arm. “I was planning on having lunch with Blake tomorrow,” I said. “Is that . . . okay?”

He stiffened. “No, not really.”

“He’s my friend—”

“Evie, he thinks he’s in love with you.”

“No, not anymore. Besides, that doesn’t matter. I love
you
.”

He shifted so he was on his side facing me. “I trust you, but him? Don’t you remember when he showed up at your place? What if I hadn’t been there?”

“What?” What was he talking about?

“He wouldn’t take no for an answer until he realized I was there.”

I scoffed at this ridiculous accusation. “Blake’s not like that.”

“I don’t know him, and honestly, I don’t want to.”

I swallowed hard, seeing where this was going. Payton didn’t like Blake, but she didn’t make me choose between them. But Logan? He didn’t want me to be friends with Blake. That drunken moment in my apartment when Blake grabbed me and almost took a swing at Logan had shaped his judgment of Blake.

“So, you want me to cancel?”

“Yeah.”

“What do I tell him? That my boyfriend’s possessive?”

I wished I could take it back. The bedroom was only lit by his iPad screen, and in the low light Logan’s eyes soured. “You can tell him whatever. Tell him your asshole boss needs you to work through lunch.”

He wouldn’t compromise on this, and he said hardly anything the rest of the night, barely kissing me goodbye when he dropped me off at my place.

The next afternoon when I called and delivered the fake excuse of work, Blake sighed.

“Well, I was hoping to tell you in person, but . . . Amy’s pregnant.”

Blake was at that awkward phase in life where you had no idea how to treat this kind of news. Was this a good thing? Was it viewed as a mistake?

“Oh. How are you—?”

“It’s good. I’m excited. We’re both excited.”

I breathed a sigh of relief for him. “Good, that’s good.” He used to tell me everything, so he was probably desperate to discuss this life-changing event with me.

“You know what?” I said. “Forget work. I’ll meet you at Potbelly’s in ten minutes.”

I was halfway through my sandwich and Blake’s story of how they revealed the pregnancy to their parents when my phone buzzed with a text message.

I typed out a response, telling him I’d met Blake for lunch after all, and would explain it later.

“Everything okay?” Blake asked when I set the phone down.

A girl from accounting sat two booths over so I had to choose my words carefully. “My boyfriend’s not real happy with me right now. He didn’t want me to have lunch with you.”

“I get it. I was confused, and I got scared. But, Evie, I’m not anymore. I love Amy. I had to screw everything up to figure it out, and I’m so sorry.”

I felt a smile dawn on my face. “I’m happy you got it figured out. Everything works out for a reason.”

The phone vibrated on the table.

I made a face. Why did that matter?

We chatted about Blake’s new plan to propose. Now that he was going to be a father, he couldn’t wait to get started on his happily-ever-after with her. That was how he knew Amy was the one.

“Do you know if Logan wants kids?” That forced my eyes to dart around and drew Blake’s suspicion. “What is it?”

“We’re not public with our relationship. It’s complicated right now. But yeah, he wants kids.”

“And other than today, things are good between you two?”

“Yes. Yeah.” I gave a slight nod. “They’re good.” And they were. Right?

Blake’s amber-colored eyes blinked and his eyebrows lifted. “What is it?”

I’d forgotten how well Blake knew me, and what a terrifically awful liar I was. “I told him I loved him. Like, a while ago. He hasn’t said it back.”

His eyes widened. “I’m sure he will.”

“I know. It’s just hard, though. I’m in love with him. Like, head over heels, crazy as hell in love. Birds singing and rainbows and all that shit. He feels it, I think, but I need him to say it.”

A half-smile formed on Blake’s lips, and the silence made me babble.

“You know,” I continued, “I thought he hated me and I couldn’t have cared less, because I thought he was an arrogant, self-absorbed jerk. But I was totally wrong, and the whole time I was too blind over you to notice him. I’m pissed at myself for not realizing sooner.”

“Realizing?”

Since we were having our first honest conversation with each other in what felt like a lifetime, I pushed through. “That he could be the one I end up with. I know it’s too soon, and that’s such a ridiculous thing to say. The One. Ridiculous to be feeling, but . . . that’s the way it feels.”

Blake’s gaze left mine and went over my head in alarm.

This restaurant had fast service, was affordable, and close to our office building, which meant it was crawling with coworkers. I’d never thought he’d walk in and risk it, but I’d been wrong.

“Hey, man.” Blake’s worried focus shifted back to me.

I glanced over my shoulder and couldn’t breathe. Logan hesitated behind me, his face unreadable.

“How long have you been there?” It was barely a whisper.

“Since the birds were singing,” he replied, his voice unsteady.

Oh shit. Shit!
Nothing like confessing you believe he’s the one after only two months of dating. He came to the table and stood over us, his wide, hypnotic eyes on mine. At least he hadn’t bolted, but I had absolutely no idea what was going on inside his head. I wanted to slide under the table and hide.

The rich brown stare swung away from mine. “I’m Logan Stone.” He extended his hand out to Blake, who blinked at the hand, then shook it.

“Blake Haluson.”

My brain refused to function. My gaze went to the tabletop and my ears burned in embarrassment. What the hell was I going to do? Just when things couldn’t have possibly gotten worse, Debbie materialized from fucking nowhere.

“Hey, guys. You having an impromptu meeting?” she joked, but her eyes clouded with suspicion.

“I was just asking Evelyn and her friend what was good,” Logan answered. He was probably looking at me, but all I could do was stare at the dark oak table.

Debbie went on in detail about her favorite sandwich, and he pretended to care with enthusiasm until she flitted past.

“It was nice meeting you,” he said to Blake.

“Yeah, you, too.”

“I’ll see you back at the office, Evelyn.”

“Yeah, see you.”

I heard his footsteps carry him away. My eyes slid to Blake’s. He looked stunned.

“That was interesting.” I must have made a face that mirrored the sickening feeling I had inside, because Blake’s face filled with concern. “I’m sure it’ll be okay.”