13. Wren

“Bye. I’ll see you Saturday.” I waved at Jana and Avery, who continued down the street back to the zoo. Since I hadn’t been able to see them this weekend, we’d met for lunch. I was stressed that spending time with Avery after the weekend with her dad would be awkward, but more than anything, it felt good to see my best friend.

Plus, what happened between Tom and me was over.

It had only been two days, but I hadn’t heard from him. It was for the best, really, to pretend it had never happened. Because it couldn’t be more than a fling. He might not have said those words, but he also hadn’t corrected me when I’d referred to it as such.

And I was fine.

The lingering twinge in my chest every time my phone buzzed and it wasn’t him would pass. No part of me was a relationship girl. I didn’t get attached.

Forcing all thoughts of Tom from my head, I hurried through the lobby. I passed the elevator, since in the winter, the stairs were my constant companion. Running in the park during the winter was pure torture, and gyms were boring, so my cold weather exercise consisted of utterly refusing to take an elevator. I loved heels, and I’d spent too much money on them not to keep my legs looking good. The three flights here were nothing compared to the twelve I trucked up and down at my own place. Two minutes later, I was pushing through the door into the hallway.

Pat peeked his head out of his office as I walked past. “Erin wants you.”

With a nod, I headed past my tiny space to the huge corner office that belonged to the head of the auction house.

The door was cracked open, and Erin’s laughter filtered out. Through the small opening, I could see her sitting in one of the chairs. Rarely did she step out from behind her desk when she conducted business. She claimed the view of her with the skyline in the background intimidated people and kept them on their toes, just where she wanted them. It was weird to see her so familiar with someone.

“No. I’m not angry at all. I absolutely adore this.” Her tone was friendlier than normal too. I could almost swear it was flirty as she patted a denim-clad leg.

I tried to fight the smirk forming on my lips. Interesting . Erin never flaunted a boyfriend, so this was going to be fun.

Shoulders pulled back, I tapped lightly on the doorframe.

“Yes?” Her attention shifted my way.

I pushed the door open, and instantly, I zeroed in on the broad shoulders and familiar light brown hair.

Tom twisted, and his blue eyes met mine for one beat before he turned away. My stomach sank as the tingle of shock worked its way through my system.

Erin was flirting with Tom.

Fuck.

I blinked.

My boss and Tom? For a moment, I was worried my lunch would make a reappearance and ruin my shoes, but I couldn’t have a reaction. And honestly, she was better suited for him anyway. She was forty and although she never married her son was in his third year at Boston College. They were in the same era of life. And she was exactly the kind of woman I’d suggested Tom should find two days ago. She was busy enough that she wouldn’t cling to Tom and drive him crazy when he was working. She was smart and gorgeous and stylish, and all of a sudden, I hated her. This woman I’d idolized for years .

Swallowing all of it down, I wiped my hands on my pencil skirt and stood calmly at the door.

“Pat said you wanted to see me.” I couldn’t stand the thought of looking at Tom, so I kept my eyes on Erin.

My boss hopped out of the chair she’d been sitting in and waved me over. “Have a seat.”

I moved into the room, past the bookshelves lined with pottery, small pieces of framed art, and small knickknacks—all things she’d collected over the years. This was something else I aspired to have someday—souvenirs from all my travels. But I could hardly focus on anything at the moment. My brain was frozen on the image of Erin’s hand on Tom’s leg. Tom’s hand dropping to pat it once. The connection.

Chest burning, I took a breath through my nose and forced the emotion away.

I sat carefully, unsure what my role was.

Erin propped herself up against her desk, her legs out in front of her so they were almost between Tom’s.

My chest pinched at the obvious intimacy between the two of them. I’d never known them to date, but that didn’t mean anything. I knew nothing about my boss’s social life or that of my best friend’s father’s. Apart from this weekend, when he’d been sleeping with me.

Internally, I chastised myself for getting hung up on him. I did not fixate on hookups like this. I typically had no trouble moving on.

So why was I sitting here picturing clawing her eyes out?

Forcing myself to maintain perfect posture, I tucked my hands in my lap. Tom kept his gaze on the woman across from him, almost like I wasn’t in the room. My stomach churned, and apprehension rose in my throat.

Get it together.

How would I ever interact with this man again? Unprofessional and immature wouldn’t fly. That wasn’t who I was, so I cleared my throat.

“What can I do for you, Erin?” I forced a smile.

“You did a great job this weekend. We talked a little about that this morning.” She dropped her arms and grasped the edge of her desk on either side of her hips. “Even with all the last-minute changes of plans, the professionalism you showed while taking over this assignment has been evident.”

I fought a wince. God, if she knew that I’d slept with a client, she definitely wouldn’t be praising me like this.

“However…” She looked at Tom, who sat back in his chair and crossed his arms. “There is something we want to discuss.”

Stomach dropping, I swallowed. “Okay.” I looked between the two.

Erin seemed like her normal self, but Tom wouldn’t even look at me. He hadn’t told her about us, had he? No. He had no reason to. So what the hell?

“Pat’sbeen limiting your new clients.”

“Uh.” That was true. “Yes.” I wanted to expand my skill base. Taking on our VIPs had been part of my job for the last three years, but I wanted to track down the art and run the auctions. Even borrow art from the museums and artists for private viewing parties. I wanted to run a gallery or an auction house someday. Not just scour the world for art for my own clients. So I’d asked to diversify. I wanted the big fish.

“I know you’ve been shrinking your client list, but I’m going to request you take on a new one. Tom has plans, and we’d like you to help him make them happen.” She beamed at him, her smile far too bright.

And why wouldn’t it be? I’d teased him about being an old bottle of wine, and it was the honest truth. The man had aged well. He was sexy, sophisticated, rich, smart, and fucking incredible in bed. The full package.

Jealousy inched up my spine, but I forced it down again.

Erin clearly wanted me to take this job, but did Tom? It was hard to think that could be the case when he wouldn’t even fucking look at me. At first it had been upsetting, but now I was just mad.

I’d wanted this account before I knew the identity of the client. Tom Wilson was the type of VIP I’d dreamed of working with. Larry complained about how often he bought and sold for Mr. Brown, but he was exactly the type of collector I wanted. The type who was looking for high-end art. I’d be a dumbass to give it up even if Tom and Erin were involved.

For a moment in time over the weekend, I thought maybe there was something between us. But I had goals, and there was no way in hell I’d let a fling mess them up. This account would boost me, and that was what mattered.

Beside me, Tom was scowling at his shoes.

Careful to school my expression, I turned to my boss and pulled my shoulders back. “I’m happy to help you, Erin.”

“Me,” Tom barked.

Both Erin and I jumped at the tone, and I snapped his way, finding him glaring.

“You’ll be helping me.”

They were the first words he’d uttered since I’d walked into the room, and of course we were back to the snappy demands.

I was over it.

“After this weekend, I hope I’ve proved how effective I am.” I rose to my feet. I’d agreed, and now it was time to bow out of this meeting. “If you send me the file and plans, I’ll get to work.”

“Thanks, Wren.” Erin tucked her long blond hair over her shoulder, her legs shifting to bump Tom’s leg.

His black boot hardly moved in response. And I wanted to punch him.

Professional, Wren .

“Of course.” I forced myself to meet the eye of the man still glaring at me. “You have my number and my email. Feel free to reach out with whatever you need.”

His jaw tightened in response.

What the hell was this guy’s problem?

I turned and headed for the door, only pausing for a moment when my shaky hand landed on the knob. I was fine. I just needed to move on.

Once I’d shuffled out and hurried down the hall to the safety of my office, I forced slow breaths in and out. I was not upset. I was not upset. So why the fuck did I feel like I might cry?

Fuck that. I didn’t cry .

With my door shut behind me, I collapsed into my chair and dropped my head in my hands, willing myself to get back to a place of indifference. A soft click had me dropping my hands.

My breath caught at the sight of Tom pushing the door closed and stalking toward the desk.

His bright blue eyes locked on me, and my stomach somersaulted.

My heart wanted to jump up and down and do the happy dance. God, I was an idiot.

“What are you doing?” I asked as he rested a hip against my desk beside me, smelling like spearmint and spice and everything I craved.

“Bringing you the file you asked for.” Brow arched, he passed me a thick brown folder.

“It’s not on the drive?” We kept all our work on a shared drive. Some folders were password protected, but we kept all our information in one location.

He shook his head. “I refuse to keep my information so easily accessible.”

I huffed. “And Erin doesn’t care.” It wasn’t a question.

“She knows I’m difficult.” Shrugging, he let out a chuckle. “But I’m also rich.”

Normally I found our back-and-forth gripping, but I wasn’t in the mood. “I’ll go through the file.” Attention on my computer, I straightened. “Just leave it on the desk.”

Rather than leave, he scooted an inch or so closer. At the movement, I peered up and found him smiling at me. The damn man never smiled, so why was he so freaking happy right now?

“You’re cute this way.” He dropped the file onto my desk and leaned closer.

“What way?”

“Jealous.” A dimple I’d never seen before popped on his cheek.

Hackles rising, I glowered at him. “I don’t know why you would think?—”

He held a finger against my lips and lowered so our faces were just inches apart.

Though we were close, I kept my gaze downcast .

“She dated my best friend for six years. We’re close, but she and I could never be a thing.”

My stomach tumbled. And finally, I met his eyes. They were bright and dancing with humor. He dropped his finger from my mouth.

“So kiss me, baby girl,” he said, lowering his finger. “Because you’re all I’ve thought about in days.”

My chest exploded, and my heart took off in a sprint.

He tilted my chin up and pressed his lips to mine, running his tongue along the seam of my mouth, silently demanding access. As I acquiesced, I arched into him and slipped my arms around his neck. I let myself get lost in his touch for a moment, then broke away. I couldn’t look away from him as he ran his tongue over his bottom lip.

Shifting in my chair, I tried to settle the throb that ran through my body.

“We shouldn’t,” I whispered.

He planted his hand on the desk on either side of his hips but didn’t fully move away from me. “I think we’re past that point, baby girl.”

My breath caught, but before I could respond, the door eased open and we lurched away from each other.

“Oh, sorry.” Avery stood in the doorway.

My heart fell to the floor with a splat . Oh shit. Holding my breath, I glanced at Tom, who slowly, calmly, looked over his shoulder at his daughter.

“ Dad ?” She looked from him where he was perched on my desk to me in my chair and back again. “What are you doing here?”

Without missing a beat, he stood up to face her. While I was drowning in guilt, he didn’t look the least bit remorseful. In fact, he looked happy, which wasn’t his normal vibe at all. “Erin finally convinced me to let Wren take point on my project.”

The suspicion fled from her face, and her mouth lifted into a smile. “The someday gallery?”

Confused, I tilted my head and assessed her. From the limited conversation I’d had with Erin and Tom, I’d thought I was just taking on a VIP client. I studied both father and daughter. I was used to not knowing all the details of their conversations, but it felt wrong in this instance. I crossed my arms, silently forcing my instincts to settle. Fuck, my emotions were ping-ponging today.

Straightening, Tom squeezed my shoulder. “She doesn’t have all the details yet. How about you let me explain them?” He rocked back on his heels.

“I’m sorry to irrupt your art world domination or whatever,” Avery said, padding up to the other side of my desk. “But Wren and I got our cards mixed up at lunch, and I need mine for the cake testing that I’m dragging Chris to.”

She never dragged Chris anywhere. He happily went wherever she wanted.

Arm extended, she held out my United miles plus black card.

I reached for my purse, the move causing Tom’s hand to fall off my shoulder. Though our connection had been severed, he didn’t step away.

Breaths coming quickly, I pulled out my wallet. “Sorry. I didn’t realize.”

I held out the same black card, focusing on keeping my hand steady.

“We need to stop doing this.” Chuckling, she took the card back, then eyed her father, who was still standing a foot from me. When she focused on me again, she’d sobered. “Just be nice to dad and don’t make him crazy.”

I blinked, swallowing down a response. If I said oh, I’ll be plenty nice to Daddy Wilson , which in the past would have left my lips without a thought, I could make things weird. This was the awkward vibe I’d expected at lunch today, but it had been fine. Of course, while I’d been sitting across from Avery, I had been trying to forget the weekend, not kissing him in my office.

Though I didn’t respond, a chuckle rumbled out of Tom.

Avery whirled on her dad, her eyes wide. “Did you just laugh?”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Wren so flustered,” he murmured. “It’s cute.”

Avery’s brow creased. “Cute?” She regarded me again, lips pressed together. “Wren’s gorgeous, but…” She shook her head. “I’m glad getting that painting has put you in such a good mood, but stop being weird.”

“It’s a parent’s job to make their kid think they’re weird.”

“Well, try to maintain a normal level of weird at the Christmas market tonight, okay?” Her blond ponytail slipped over her shoulder as she tilted her head and eyed her father. “You’re still coming, right?”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” he promised. “Want to come?” he asked, now focused on me.

“I, uh…” My mouth and my brain refused to cooperate to form a coherent response. I needed to get it together or Avery was going to start calling me weird too.

“Wren hates the cold. Getting her outside in winter is next to impossible. She’s a fireplace and hot tub in the winter girl.” Avery tucked her credit card into her pocket and smiled at me. “Call me if you want a ride on Saturday. Chris is dropping me off, so he’ll take you too.”

“Thanks,” I said, surprised I could get a single word out.

“See you later, Dad. Good luck with the art buying.” With a wave, she was gone.

When we were alone again, I let out a long breath and shut my eyes. I’d never felt more uncomfortable.

“I like the hot tub idea. Might need to make that happen.” Tom chuckled.

Breath catching, I shot him a glare. “Why did you ask me about coming tonight? There’s no way I could go on an outing with you and Chris and Avery without it being weird.”

He rounded my desk, then turned back to me. “It’d be fine. In fact, I’d love to make it happen.” He clapped, the sound echoing off the walls. “But right now, I have other plans. Grab your coat.”

“What?” I stood, smoothing the front of my skirt.

“No questions. Either you come with me or I go without you.” He pulled my coat off the hook behind the door and held it out to me.

I could have fought him, but honestly, I didn’t want him to leave me behind. If Avery hadn’t pointed out my hatred for cold weather, I probably would have agreed to the Christmas market tonight .

That nagging worry tugged at my gut again. Because if I let myself pretend that Tom and I could be any more than what we’d already had, I was setting myself up for heartbreak.