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

My chest warms at Ellie’s voice. It’s almost as euphoric as if it were her who found the love of her life. Ellie is such a good sister, and if Laia and I are together, it’s also her merit.

I wiggle out from Laia’s embrace gently and step over to Ellie. I hug her and plant a peck on her cheek. “Without you, Ellie, it wouldn’t have been possible. I owe you a big thank you, sis.”

Laia comes and embraces Ellie also. “Yes, Ellie, thanks for seeing what was best for us before we even realized it ourselves.”

“Guys, you are so welcome.” Ellie sucks in two rapid and then one long breath, her go-to strategy to fight back overwhelming emotions, then she clears her throat. “We should probably get you dry. You’ll catch a cold in these wet clothes. Let’s go back to Dev’s car.”

“Being out in the rain is fun,” I chuckle giddily. “You should try it, too.”

Laia gives me an approving smile as if she understands perfectly what I’m saying.

Ellie, on the other hand, scrunches her nose. “No, loverboy, I’m fine under this umbrella. And I think it’s enough of a Nicholas Sparks romance for now. We don’t want you or Laia to kick off your relationship with a runny nose, or worse, a fever.” She gives us her serious I-know-what-I’m-talking-about glance.

“Right,” we answer in a chorus, water dripping from our noses and eyelashes.

I fetch the umbrella Laia tossed to the pavement and close it. It doesn’t make sense to protect ourselves from the water, given that we’re both already soaked. I take Laia’s moist fingers, and we saunter behind my sister, hand in hand, to the restaurant’s parking.

“You make me happy,” Laia whispers to me.

“And you turned me into the man I never knew I could be,” I reply and plant a kiss on the top of her head.

While we walk, I bask in the elation that circles through my veins.

Ellie might be worried that we’ll get sick, but the glow in my chest could brighten any weather. I could be out in a snowstorm and still feel fuzzily warm, as long as Laia and I are together.

I guess that’s what it feels like having a soulmate, after all…

Epilogue

(Laia)

As soon as I step into the lobby at Hudson Communications, Steve’s and Chuck’s smiling faces greet me.

“Good day, Ms. Laia,” Chuck exclaims.

His enthusiastic salutation blends in with his colleague’s deeper, “Hello, Laia.”

It’s incredible how natural it feels to be coming into this building even though I don’t work here anymore. Maybe the reason for my ease is that I’ve gotten into the habit of popping in on every Friday to drag my boyfriend to a proper lunch. I guess it’s my way of expressing to Devon just how grateful I am that we’re a couple and that he helped me land this editing assistant job in a well-reputed publishing house.

I still can’t believe I’m allowed to do what I love the best—read—and get paid for it.

What’s even better is I managed to negotiate a thirty-two hours per week contract with the head of my department, which grants me a day off to work on my own writing.

And have a short date with Devon.

A prickle of excitement courses through me as I think about the big news I’ll share with him today.

I hurry by the reception desk and wave to Michael, who’s pouring a bright-orange powder into his cup. It must be that fizzy drink Devon is running the launch campaign for.

I pat Hudson’s head, a weird habit I picked up from Devon, then hurry to the elevator.

Katja jumps up from her desk as she sees me approach and closes me into an entirely awkward but all the more affectionate hug.

“So nice to see you again, Laia.”

“And you too. How are your grandchildren?” I ask.

Katja launches into a detailed account of how her daughter decided to take the kiddos to Russia for a semester to pick up more of their language.

Theresa, Devon’s new assistant, a redhead with countless freckles and an amiable smile, steps over just as Katja rounds up her tale.

“You better go inside, Laia. Devon has been asking whether there were any reports about subway accidents.”

I roll my eyes and chuckle. “I’m only ten minutes late compared to my usual arrival time. Okay, I guess I’ll be on my way before Devon can alert the firemen or something.”

Devon is on the phone when I step inside his office. He stands with his face to the window, and from the warm timbre his voice is hitting, he must be speaking with Ellie. His white shirt is tucked into black jeans, while his blazer rests on his chair.

“I’m sure you’ll get the break next time, sis. You’re so good. Just don’t lose faith in yourself,” he says.

Oh, no. Ellie must have missed out on that promotion she so desired.

I pull the door shut quietly to avoid interrupting their conversation, but even the faint click alerts Devon of my presence. He whips around, and a bright smile appears on his face.

“You know who just arrived?” he tells Ellie then bobs his head. “Indeed…” He waves me closer. “Of course, I’ll tell Laia. While you girls do your dinner thing, I’ll catch up with Pete.”

I reach Devon and plant a kiss on his neck.

As I whiff at his familiar cologne, I hear Ellie saying good-bye to her brother.

Devon says good-bye to her, too, then drops his phone on the desk. He turns back to me and snakes his arms around my waist. “You’re late, love. I was beginning to worry.”

“I know, Theresa told me you were making her check the local news.”

A flustered glint invades Devon’s eyes, and he pulls up his shoulder in a boyish what-can-I-do way. “I don’t want anything bad to happen to you. I’d much rather have you drive your own car.”

Devon and I have spent various weekends visiting car dealers, and I’ve tested many second-hand vehicles trying to find a suitable alternative to