“That was stupid. I know. It’s just you’re so mad right now. This is how it started with her.”
Kalilah shook her head. “I was not mad until you brought up your ex. I don’t give a shit what she did or how. We are two completely different people, Nick.”
Nick wasn’t sure what he should do. He thought she was angry earlier, but he definitely knew the difference now that she was actually mad. This is not what he’d intended when he arrived. The last thing he wanted was to make her mad. He showed his hands in surrender.
“You’re right. I apologize for bringing up Meg. I just wanted to see you. Not upset you.” He took a step back. His heart was heavy, but he would give her the space she needed and hope for the best. “I’ll get out your way.” Nick turned to head back to his shoes. He heard Kalilah sigh.
“Nick…wait. You don’t seem to understand. I’m not angry. I’m frustrated. I’m allowed to be frustrated. I know I agreed to this, but I’m not a sex toy…”
This is it. It took everything in Nick’s power not to interrupt her. His heart was racing, and he said a silent prayer that he would not lose it and start begging if she ended things. He liked her more than he’d liked any other woman and didn’t want her to leave. He tried to focus on what she was saying.
“…I have feelings and emotions. You can’t just play with me and put me back because you don’t feel like playing anymore. You have to warn me or something.”
Some of the dread he was feeling lessened. “So, you’re not ending this?”
Kalilah rolled her shoulders and tried to relieve some tension. “No. I didn’t go through all of this to not see it to the end.” She rubbed her neck. “Let me change. I’ll be back.” She disappeared before he could respond.
Nick noticed how tired and stressed she looked. She needed to rest. Nick sighed heavily and pulled out his phone. He hoped this wouldn’t raise too many questions, but he was willing to help any way he could. He swallowed his pride and typed.
Nick: Hey, Dad. Can you please call Kalilah and give her tomorrow off? She looks very tired.
Nick stared at the three dots, nervously anticipating his dad’s answer. He hoped he didn’t give him a lot of shit.
Dad: How do you know?
Ah. Damn. The fraternization policy. Time to lie. Nick was relieved that he was having this conversation via text. Nick wasn’t a good liar.
Nick: Ran into her at the grocery store. She looked exhausted and didn’t realize she had walked past me. She will get sick if she remains that tired.
His dad didn’t respond. Nick heard Kalilah returning a few minutes later and quickly shoved his phone back in his pocket. She had her phone to her ear. She looked slightly puzzled. She was dressed like their movie night.
Nick’s cock twitched at the memory. Kalilah pressed her finger to her beautiful lips that were still swollen from his kisses to make the universal symbol telling him to be quiet.
“Uh…are you sure? Well, okay.” She nodded like his dad could see her. “Yes, sir, I’ll take it easy this weekend. Monday? Okay. Thank you.” Her brows were furrowed, but she was smirking as she hung up the phone. “Your dad just called. I’m off until Monday.”
Nick nodded while she assessed his reaction. She should be a human lie detector. She and her sister would be one hell of an interrogation team.
“Wow. That’s great.”
The look on her face told him she wasn’t buying it. Kalilah crossed her arms and looked at him.
“So, there is no connection between me yelling at you about b
eing frustrated and your Dad giving me time off?”
Nick could feel the blood rushing to his face. He really needed to work on his poker face. He didn’t speak because she already knew the answer.
“Nicolas Graham Sinclair! You cannot use familial connections to get me off work!”
She wagged her finger at him like he was a naughty child. Nick had an apology waiting on his lips, but she surprised him by pecking him on the lips.
Nick was momentarily stunned stupid. “Huh?”
Kalilah smiled at him. “I am exhausted. A few extra days of rest is much appreciated.”
Nick started to brighten up. Her mood shifted, and she was suddenly very serious. She poked him in the chest to punctuate every word.
“Don’t. Do. That. Again.” Nick nodded. “I mean it, Nick. I am grateful for your thoughtfulness, but I cannot have your dad thinking I’m screwing his son for work perks. Plus, the fraternization policy would take one of our jobs. You can’t do that again. Ever.”