Law #2: Don't Play with a Player: A Sweet Office Romance Story (Laws of Love) by Agnes Canestri (web ebook reader .txt) 📕

and shakes it enthusiastically. “I’m Eloise Griffin, but you can call me Ellie. Everybody does.”

Laia’s eyes widen and her posture relaxes. “You’re Devon’s—”

“Sister, yes.” Ellie nods. “Sorry for my mean comment about your predecessor. That chick might have been a bombshell, but she was interested in everything, except doing her job.” She shakes her head to underline her disapproval.

“So, Ellie, to what do I owe the pleasure today? You stormed in like you had something crucial to discuss,” I prompt.

There’s a slight annoyance in my voice that surprises me.

I don’t know if my irritation comes from the fact that Ellie made me leave my cozy couch, or my sister’s comment suggesting I surround myself with top models.

It’s not true that all my previous assistants were hotties.

My first PA was a man, in fact. And Hayley? I didn’t even pick her myself.

I glance at Laia’s olive skin and dark hair, and I can’t help but feel grateful that I took the time that day to interview my candidates personally. Otherwise, my gem of an assistant would be writing ad copies, and I’d be stuck with one of the girlfriend-wannabees.

“You bet I have,” Ellie bobs her head, and her short bangs get all tousled from her movement. She quickly smooths them with a hand. “I need to schedule my holidays for this summer at work. Are you up for a long weekend trip to Mexico in June? I wanted to go there with Cora and Hope. You can even invite Pete if he promises he won’t hit on my friends.”

“June when? I’m not sure, sis.”

“Dev…” Ellie wiggles her finger at me. “You need some rest, just like the rest of us.”

I shake my head. “It’s not that. Wyatt called me. He might drop by during the summer, but he wasn’t sure when…so unless I can also bring him along—”

“Absolutely not. Mr. Super Quarterback isn’t invited,” Ellie snaps.

“Well, technically, you’ve known Wyatt as long as you’ve known Pete. So if you consider Pete a pal…”

Ellie rolls her eyes, which are a similar shade to mine, only with a hint of green. “Exactly because I know Wyatt, I have the good sense of not being his friend.”

Ellie’s pocket beeps before she can continue badmouthing. She pulls out her pager and hisses. “Oh, shoot…I need to run back to work, sorry. I thought my new patient wouldn’t arrive till later in the afternoon, but he flew in early. Stephanie will kill me if I make a client wait. The pregnancy hormones are making her an even meaner boss than she normally is.”

“No problem.” I shrug, secretly happy that I don’t have to discuss Wyatt with my sister. It was stupid of me to bring him up at all.

Ellie pats Laia on her shoulder as if they’re old girlfriends, and she didn’t meet her only a second ago. “It was lovely to meet you, Laia. Whenever you want, I can give you a full-fledged user manual to this weird brother of mine.”

Strangely enough, Laia doesn’t wince under my sister’s touch like she does each time I approach her. Instead, she meets my sister’s gaze with a bright smile. “Yes, it was a pleasure to meet you.”

Ellie gives me a kiss on my cheek. “See you soon, Dev.”

Her head snaps to my desk just as she pulls back from me.

“Oh, no! Ellie, don’t. Not again.” I’m not quick enough.

My sister is already at my table, fumbling and shifting everything around until all of my objects stand in ninety-degree angles to each other, and my pencil holder is placed in the exact geometrical middle line of my desk—a fact that Ellie assures by measuring the distance from both sides twice with her thumb and index finger.

When she’s done with her creation, she takes a step back, nods with a satisfied grin, then turns. Just as quickly as she rushed in, she disappears with a loud, “Bye!”

Laia throws me a curious glance when the door closes. “Your sister is super nice. But very energetic, isn’t she? And she likes order.”

I give out a bemused snort. “That she is. Ellie has an unflagging vitality. She’s always been like that. I suspect she has a tick of OCD, too, but don’t tell her I said that. She would strangle me before admitting she has control issues or that she’s a pathologic neat freak. Especially since she works in a behavioral clinic, counseling others about how to be the best version of themselves. Anyway…” I smile because I want Laia to see that I love my sister despite her quirky nature. “Ellie is great. Sometimes her grit is annoying, like when I didn’t have enough sleep. But most of the time, her vivacity is a blessing. There were times in my life where her high spirits kept me literally afloat.”

Yes, I couldn’t have made it through those years of constant sickness or my breakup with Morgan with my mental health intact, if I hadn’t had my sister’s support.

I don’t understand why I had to share this nugget with Laia. It’s none of her business that I had dark periods in my past.

Laia tilts her head, a weird glint filling her eyes. It’s a mix of disbelief and sympathy.

Is she sorry for whatever hardship she imagines I might have endured?

I hate anyone pitying me. I’ve had my share of commiseration for a lifetime.

But Laia clears her throat and surprises me. “It’s important to have your family’s support. Especially when life gives you a curveball. I have a sister and a brother. Plus my cousin, who is practically a sister. A pretty big safety net to fall back on. And this knowledge has helped me face some nasty blows, too.”

Our glances meet, and Laia gives me a warm smile that assures me she means what she’s just told me.

It seems I’ll have to learn to interpret Laia’s expressions better. She wasn’t feeling sorry for me. She was showing empathy. This discovery makes the awkwardness I felt about slipping something personal evaporate.

Laia pivots to the sofa. “I’ll