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

I don’t want Devon to wait for the elevator with me. I might need to burn twenty-three floors, but it’s still better than being forced to look at his handsome face any longer.

Chapter 32

(Devon)

“Are you sure you don’t want to come with me?” I implore Pete on the phone, using my most persuasive tone.

“I’m sorry, Dev, but I’ve planned a soccer-watching, chill-out session after last night’s heavy hitter. Thanks, by the way, for throwing me at the mercy of your sister. Ellie pestered me for at least an hour about how you and I should quit behaving like party-obsessed adolescents.”

I can imagine Ellie’s arguments and Pete’s reaction to them all too well. I’m sure glad I didn’t have to participate in their discussion.

But I still feel like apologizing to Pete. He’s fallen victim to my sister’s deadly matchmaker-slash-savior complex.

“I’m sorry, mate. But if it’s any consolation, we didn’t stay in Jimmy’z too long either. Laia didn’t feel well, so I had to take her home.”

I carefully avoid mentioning that the home I’m referring to is actually my own house. I only called him to see whether he is up to a run with me, not to entrust him with my secrets about Laia.

“She looked fine to me when I saw her before Ellie dragged me out of the club. More than fine, in fact. Sizzling hot in that purple top. I sure wouldn’t have minded taking her home either. Your assistant got all her curves at the right places.” Pete smacks his lips, and I can picture him spreading his fingers like a budding flower, as he usually does.

Irritation courses through me.

“Pete, if you forgot, I’m her boss, so I can’t allow you to talk about her like that. Not now, not ever.”

Pete snorts loudly in my ear. “Hey, tune it down a notch, mate. I was just kidding. I didn’t mean any harm. Jeez, what’s going on with you lately? You haven’t been clubbing for over two weeks. You give me the lamest excuses for your absence. When you finally agree to meet up, you invite your assistant and your sister to our jazz club, and now you jump down my throat because of some manly humor? If I didn’t know any better, I’d consider your inconsequential behavior as a sign that you’re in love…”

His mocking tone makes my blood boil.

“And what if I am?” I snap.

“What if you are,” Pete repeats, chuckling, but then breaks off. “…wait, are you serious? You’ve fallen in love with someone?” When I don’t answer, he adds, “With your assistant?”

“No,” I mumble, but my tone suggests that the answer is a yes.

I decide to man up and own up to my feelings. At least if Pete learns I’m smitten with Laia, he won’t try to hit on her ever again. “Okay, I might not be in love with Laia just yet, but I’m walking on very thin ice toward that.”

Pete draws in a few sharp breaths. “Woauha, that’s…uhm, surprising but not unexpected. I knew sooner or later you would yoke your head and settle. Not everyone is a true free spirit like me.”

His comment draws a smile to my lips. “Yes, Pete, you’re unique.”

“Thanks, buddy, for recognizing it,” Pete replies, his voice dripping from smugness. “What’s the deal? Does Laia love you back or what?”

“No, unfortunately not. She’s attracted to me physically, but—”

“What, but?” Pete interjects. “If she wants a piece of you, that’s your window of opportunity right there.”

I sigh. “No, Laia isn’t like that. She is all about fairy tales and shiny armored heroes. And we both know I’m nowhere near that. Even if she were interested in an affair, which I repeat she isn’t, I don’t want just a fling with her. I want to be with her. But I couldn’t be more different than her idea of a fitting boyfriend.”

“Ah, you’ve landed yourself a major crush, pal. But for what it’s worth, I think your sis believes you have a chance with your assistant. That would explain her possessiveness when I flirted with Laia.”

Pete can seem superficial to some, but he has a bewildering talent to deduce hidden behavioral motivations in women. Probably because he has honed his skills with so many.

“Yes, for some reason Ellie thinks mine isn’t a lost cause. That’s why she invited you. She wanted to give Laia and me some alone time.”

“Did you put her up to it?”

I snort. “Like I could ever convince my sis to go along with a scheme like that unless it was her idea. Nope, I didn’t even know Ellie would ambush you.”

Pete laughs. “Well, it wasn’t an entirely wasted evening. After Ellie was done with her lecture, we had a pleasant meal. Anyway, what are you planning to do about Laia? Will you just silently adore her while you keep acting like her boss?”

Disappointment washes through me as I think about the disastrous ending at breakfast.

And to think it started out so well.

I’d prepared a nice meal and managed to steer our conversation to the topic of love without Laia becoming suspicious. But then…

My stomach hardens as I think how Laia is on her way to meet someone right now. ”Laia has a date in a park this afternoon,” I grumble.

“A park, huh?” Pete’s tone is beyond suspicious, and I can hear how he’s putting two and two together. “That’s why you proposed this spontaneous jogging to me. Not because you wanted to make up for last night. Also, you usually go to Encanto Park, not Margaret T. Hance Park… It’s all so clear now.”

“Yeah,” I admit, shame curling through my chest. “I just wanted to take a look at the man who’s lucky enough to spend time with Laia. Are you sure you don’t want to come with me?”

“Nope. You’re a racehorse, and I hate doing sports with you. Wyatt has gotten you too obsessed with your physical performance, I tell ya. Also, it would be much better for you to go alone. If Laia dislikes