Good cop, rotten asshole cop.
We're on the downside now.
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Thanks to:
Di, my editor,
and Paige and Aileen, my prereaders.

Stupid Little Game
Chapter 24

Edward barely got the door open before I was on him. Letting my duffle bag slide off my shoulder, I stepped into his space, wrapping my arms tightly around him. It was an overwhelming, sweet relief as his arms surrounded me and pulled me in close. And then I was inhaling him, taking great gulps of air as I pressed my mouth in a kiss against the thin fabric of his shirt. I couldn't get enough of that scent of his. Couldn't get close enough. Under the palms of my hands, his chest rumbled with laughter.

"You missed me, you really missed me," he said in a pleased tone and pulled me the rest of the way inside his apartment.

As the door closed behind us, he leaned down and took my mouth with his. He was as fierce and needy as I was; we were desperate, and trading breaths as we kissed hungrily. My hands couldn't seem to settle; they tested the warmth of his neck, clutched at his shoulders, pulled at his shirt. I wanted to sink into him so we were the same body, but my damn coat was in the way.

I growled and pulled away to shrug it off, and it sank to our feet as he yanked me up into his arms. Barely pausing for breath, he slanted his mouth across mine again as he pressed me back against the wall. I wrapped my legs around his waist, my arms snaking around his shoulders. He was right where I wanted him, resting hot and firm against me, his weight welcome and soothing. I melted and melted again.

His hair was silky to the touch, and I tugged at it until he raised his head and I could reach his neck. He moaned, his hips bucking into me as I scraped my teeth on the skin just below his ear. Under my lips, I felt the rush of his heartbeat.

"Off," I demanded, yanking at the collar of his sweatshirt.

He let me slide down his body, and as he curled his arm over his head to yank off the shirt, I grasped the waistband of his joggers and pulled them down. Underneath them, he was all bare. His breath caught as I reached for his cock, my fingers encircling him and giving a light squeeze. As he kicked free of the fabric at his ankles, I ran the palm of my other hand across his lower stomach, and the hard muscles jumped there. His body was an incredible artwork I wanted to take my time adoring.

Later.

I sank to my knees, ghosting my fingers and my lips down his happy trail as I went. His thighs were thick and curved with muscle under the palm of my hand, but it was his jutting erection that had most of my attention. He gasped as I took the warm tip of him in my mouth, letting the smooth length of him glide along my tongue. Glancing up at his stomach, I followed the maze of lines and dips up to his chest, to his dusky, dazed eyes. They were worshiping me at the same time I was him. He was so beautiful, every part of him.

I took in as much of him as I could, letting the tip touch the back of my throat. He made a rough sound and trembled, one of his arms rising to brace against the wall. The fingers of his other hand threaded through my hair and tugged gently. Holding his gaze, I kissed the tip, tonguing the underside, and his mouth parted. Tightening my lips around him, I moved quickly up and down his length. When his thighs began to shake, he hauled me to my feet.

"Need you," he breathed as he pulled me against him, his cock pressing hard and warm against my stomach.

He pressed fevered kisses down my cheek to my neck, his hands moving to my lower back. When his fingers slid underneath my yoga pants to cup my ass, goosebumps broke out all over my body at his firm, warm grasp. I helped him shove down my pants, kicking them off to the side with my shoes, then he was tugging at the hem of my long-sleeve T-shirt. Both of us worked to get off my bra, and finally, I was as naked as he was.

Surprising me, he bent and slid his arms under my inner thighs, then picked me up. I clutched at his shoulders as he braced my body against the wall, then gasped as I realized I was being held high and open for him. A thrill of sensation coursed through my body as I saw he was flushed all the way down to his neck, where his corded muscles stood out in strain. Sexy.

"Put me inside," he pleaded.

Quivering for him already, I reached for him, bringing his cock to my entrance. I slid the tip of him between my lips and across my clit, teasing us both.

His hooded eyes went darker. My toes curled at his look of desperate need, and I burned from the inside out. When he growled, I eased him downward, and he lowered me onto him in one simple move. We both moaned as he filled me tight and full. I clenched around him, deliciously hot, and fluttering inside. And close, already so close.

He remained agonizingly still, holding me there and simply looking at me as we hovered on the brink. The look on his face was one of complete adoration, and I could have cried if I wasn't almost mindless in desperate sensation.

"Edward, please," I breathed, digging my nails into the skin of his shoulders as I squirmed and clenched around him again.

His smile was sinfully wicked as he bent his knees, withdrawing, then filling me again and again. And it was deliciously hot, the ecstasy killing me, but I needed more.

"You feel so good. I want to make it last," he groaned as I whined.

"We can make it last later," I babbled urgently. "Just please, please, please."

Drawing back again, he began to thrust inside hard and sharp, and I shattered. Which shattered him, and then we were crying out in release as his hips pinned me against the wall. His forehead sank to my shoulder, his breaths quick and warm against my chest. I pressed my lips against his ear, whispering how good it was, then kissed the goosebumps that broke out along his neck.

There was a slight quiver in his arms as he carried me away from the wall. As he set me down, my legs were quivering, too. Laughing breathlessly, I squeezed my thighs together, and he handed me his sweatshirt to press against myself.

After I cleaned up and redressed in the bathroom, I found him sitting at the piano lazily picking out notes to a song I didn't recognize. For long moments, I stood in the hallway and just looked at the sexy picture he presented. His hair was a chaotic mess, giving him a boyish look, and his eyes were closed in concentration. Bare- chested, my eyes adored his rounded, broad shoulders, and the expanse of honey-colored skin. One of his arms rested on top of the piano, and I was amazed at the tune he could bring forth with just the fingers of one hand.

My heart turning over in my chest, I drifted over to him with a smile on my face. He heard me coming, and when his eyes opened and met mine, my stomach flipped at their intensity. Even unguarded and lazy, he was a captivating force that drew me to him.

As I sank down onto the bench beside him, he curled his free arm around me and hugged me to his chest. I pressed a kiss there with a sigh of contentment, and he chuckled.

"That was quite a greeting," he murmured.

For a second, I thought he meant my kiss, and I was going to correct that by really kissing him. Then, I realized he meant when I'd arrived and wordlessly threw myself at him.

"Oh. That," I said with a smile.

As he continued pressing the piano's keys, I laid my cheek against his upper arm, and gazed out the window at the harbor below. The sun was setting fast behind the edge of the water, the shadows chasing a small speedboat that was approaching the dock.

"You were right—I did miss you. I also had a hell of a day. It came with more than a few painful revelations."

"Tell me," he encouraged.

Spinning on the seat to face him fully, I gathered his hands in mine.

"The first was when I realized that time apart from you was going to hurt more than help me. I saw you this morning, and it felt as if I'd cut off my nose to spite my face," I confessed, confused and just sorry. "The time we spend apart doesn't . . . dim what I feel."

His eyes impossibly gentle, he carried one of my hands to his lips.

"And, apparently, it also doesn't help hide what I feel. Alice saw almost immediately. She . . . she knows about us, Edward."

He didn't appear shocked or angry about that, though. Those gorgeous eyes of his just looked at me softly, patiently waiting for me to continue.

"As soon as we got into her car, she was asking why the two of us were smiling so often at each other. She was like a bloodhound scenting prey." Squeezing my eyes closed, I pressed the knuckles of one of his hands against my forehead. "I tried to convince her she was wrong, but she's noticed all of these things about us. The way we behaved at the karaoke party, how we stare at each other, how distracted I am around you. She's been watching me like a hawk for months."

His voice was an amused baritone. "We were doomed from the start."

I glared at him. "It's not funny. She knows about us. We work with her."

"That explains the odd look on her face when she came to my office this afternoon. While I don't like that she didn't feel comfortable enough to level with me, I have to say I'm relieved. That's one less person you have to put on an act for, Bella."

"But she's my supervisor."

As was his habit when I was freaking out, he began sweeping his thumbs across the tender inside of my wrists.

"I think she's more than that. You're friends. But I've also seen you navigate that relationship almost seamlessly; you've never taken advantage of your friendship with her. That shouldn't change. Alice knowing is a good thing."

Only time would tell if that was true, no matter what he said.

"It scares me that she noticed so quickly. What if others do?"

In answer, he tucked a piece of hair behind my ear, then ran his finger along my cheek soothingly. How he could be so blasé about our situation, I didn't know. He was so at ease with the idea of us, so confident in our relationship. It comforted me, but I envied his certainty—his calm assurance that all of this would work out in the end.

And maybe that easy certainty was making an impression . . . because it was helping to make me trust him about it. If Edward said the partners would accept our relationship, I was eager to have them do so. Briefly, I imagined what it would feel like to go to work while having their blessing, and I almost sagged in relief. If only . . .

But if they didn't accept our relationship . . . if they didn't, I could find another job, terrifying as that thought was. I had enough savings to tide me over for a few months if it came to that.

Think positive, damn it.

"Maybe we should tell Stuart and Colin now," I said as my pulse picked up in fear and adrenaline.

Edward stared at me long and intensely, his grip tightening around my hand. "Are you sure?"

I bowed my head. Was I sure? About Edward, yes. About the partners, not quite. That certainty wouldn't come until I was face-to-face with them and saw visible proof they'd accepted us. But meanwhile, I didn't want the secret of us to be another issue I'd continue obsessing over. I was tired of worrying.

"I trust you," I said.

The unguarded look of relief on his face made me wish I'd admitted that truth sooner.

"And Alice said the same thing about telling them sooner rather than later," I added with a sigh. "So let's do it. I don't want to worry about this anymore."

He cupped my face in his hands, then drew me close to rest his forehead against mine. And when he kissed me, I found the reassurance I craved.

. . . . .

My heart was racing as I sat in the leather-backed seat at Roanoke's Restaurant the next evening. I was both nervous and resigned, but more than ready to face whatever came. Facing it would be easier than fearing it—than obsessing tirelessly over it.

The place wasn't busy yet, and I could hear soft music piped in from hidden speakers. Only a few waitstaff, wearing black linen aprons over simple white shirts, were on the floor to cater to the businessmen and women who dotted the room. Amber lights suspended from pendant chandeliers lit the top of a teak wood bar, where a lone man sat chatting to the female bartender.

Edward had made the reservation for five-thirty, but asked Stuart and Colin to meet us at six.

"We'll have a cocktail first, just you and me," he'd said.

I knew I'd want more than one cocktail, but it would have been beyond poor judgment, and I drew the line at dating my boss.

My martini glass shook as I raised it to my mouth.

Damn it.

I didn't want to appear weak or unsure; I wanted to be calmly professional, and proud to be by Edward's side. Because I was. He was worth being with, no matter how this night turned out.

But think positively, damn it.

Beside me, Edward eyed me almost sensually, his gaze making love to me. Even knowing it was a distraction ploy, I sank into his look, burning. God, he was so . . .

"To us," he said, and raised his glass of bourbon. He was the picture of sinful ease in black and gray. Not wanting to appear matchy-matchy, I was wearing a dark brown blazer over checkered slacks.

By now, both Colin and Stuart knew we were together; I was sure they'd taken one look at Edward's emailed invitation and put one plus one together. In a move that had filled me with relief, Colin confirmed almost immediately he'd come. Stuart had waited hours.

So the stage was set, and we were committed.

"You don't seem nervous at all," I noted, relieved my voice wasn't shaking. The martini had definitely helped smooth over my nerves.

Edward winked at me. "I hide it well. This is going to be difficult, yes, but we can do it, Bella. The trick is to be confident and professional without being arrogant."

I huffed out a laugh. "I'm too anxious to be arrogant."

When I saw Colin walking our way behind the hostess, my stomach did a backflip. In his late forties, he was a stocky, well-built man with thinning, sandy-colored hair, blue eyes, and a ready smile. He was the more outgoing partner, the business wizard behind the scenes, a jokester in person. When I passed him at work, he always greeted me with a smile and by name.

Would he still do the same after this?

Edward pushed back his chair and stood to greet Colin. The two men shook hands briefly before Colin settled into the chair across from me, his gaze polite as he glanced my way and nodded once in greeting.

"Bella," he said.

Then, with an odd look at the two of us, which suggested a kind of surprise, he aimed a sharp look at Edward.

"You know, I'm starting to dread these dinners of yours, Edward; they all seem to come with bad news. How long?"

And there it was.

I couldn't help feeling self-conscious at the look of disappointment on his face.

"It's been a few weeks," Edward admitted with a level gaze, his tone polite, yet unapologetic.

I tensed, because I wasn't sure that was the approach to take. Shouldn't we be at least a little sorry?

Edward was about to continue speaking when Stuart walked up to the table. And although Edward stood and held out his hand, Stuart completely ignored it. Like a total jackass.

"Don't greet me as if everything is status-quo, damn it," Stuart growled, pulling out the chair beside Colin and sitting heavily in it.

His gaze, when it swung to me, bordered on anger.

"Hello, Mr. Devaney," I said smoothly as Edward resettled into his chair.

Thank God again for strong martinis.

Stuart was the younger partner, the one I knew the least since he was in another department. I guessed him to be in his early forties. Black-haired with a thin, trim beard, he was good-looking in a high school teacher way. Right then, his brown eyes were snapping at me. He might have been the hot-tempered one, but he was also the one who'd been in our position. As Alice had once claimed, I hoped his bark was worse than his bite. If it was, I had a fairly good idea how to handle him since my often intimidating dad was the same way: don't be a doormat. Give back just as hard, but be damn nice about doing it.

"You're addressing me directly?" he returned with a hard laugh, surprising me with his rudeness. "You have some balls, don't you, Miss Swan?"

Edward shifted beside me as if he was going to speak.

"Not really," I said quietly. "My balls are more the size of macadamia nuts."

It made him laugh, but it wasn't a happy sound. "And yet here you are, flouting the worst of problematic relationships."

My immediate instinct was to correct him—to remind him that the Employee Handbook hadn't prohibited fraternization—but under the circumstances, I bit my tongue. Unwritten rule or not, Edward and I were the ones asking for consideration. Maybe once he'd gotten the anger out of his system, Stuart would drop the asshole act.

Our waitress stepped up to the table then and asked if she could get anything to drink for the men. As soon as she took their orders and left, Edward dove right into it.

"We've asked you both here to divulge our relationship status," he began. "I was just telling Colin that Bella and I have been together for a few weeks."

"Only a few weeks, you say?" Stuart asked sharply. "Then it's still new enough that you could back away. Which is my advice in this situation."

My heart dropped, but Edward was undeterred by Stuart's comment.

"You didn't take your own advice, Stuart," he replied simply. "Like I imagine happened with you, this is a case of falling for someone unexpected in an unexpected place. It's not an office fling."

"How do you know? It's only been a few weeks," Stuart shot back.

Edward turned and held my gaze as he answered. "Because I know."

Breathe, Bella, breathe.

"And I suppose you think we'll be agreeable to this relationship because of my wife?" Stuart growled. Under his anger, I thought he looked a little uncomfortable. Or sheepish.

"Because there's precedent, yes," Edward answered, still keeping his replies short and to the point. "You and Olivia were successful at navigating your relationship in the workplace, and I'm confident that Bella and I can do the same."

Stuart's scowl deepened and one corner of his mouth curled up mockingly. Nowhere did I see the empathy I'd expected. It was obvious he thought we were a pair of fools. Either that or he was angered that his situation had given birth to ours. In which case, he was behaving like an unprofessional hypocrite.

Colin pressed his hands on the tabletop and leaned forward. "That's a big claim with numerous pitfalls," he said to Edward. "Your relationship causes a serious problem for the company, not to mention consequences. I'm talking about supervisory roles, advancement opportunities, choices of assignments, and charges of sexual harassment if things don't work out."

I tensed.

Sexual harassment?—I would never!

Trying not to panic at Colin's words was difficult. Shaking inside, I only barely managed to remain outwardly professional and calm. Thankfully, I had a moment of respite when our waitress showed up with Stuart's and Colin's drinks. Oblivious to the tension around her, she cheerfully asked if we wanted any starters.

Oh, how I wanted another martini.

"No, thank you," Stuart barked with a dismissive gesture, and the waitress backed away promptly.

Okay then.

"The only guarantee I can give you—in writing—is that my relationship with Bella won't affect the company, or my performance with her or anyone else," Edward said to Colin, but his gaze also included Stuart. "I'm also prepared to step back as her boss. Alice Brandon is currently supervising Bella's work, and I don't see any reason why that can't continue. She can handle Bella's performance reviews and provide Colin with feedback on any promotions or raises."

I was so proud of him; Edward was nailing it.

"Your partner is in your department, man!" Stuart growled.

Well, he wasn't wrong, but I was starting to grow impatient at his anger. Talk about double standards . . .

"And Olivia was in yours," Edward returned, calm and pointed. "Yet you made it work. And since there isn't a written rule against fraternization, all we're asking for is a chance to do the same."

Stuart's eyes narrowed, but it was a good argument, and he had to know it. Still, I had only two seconds to appreciate it before Colin spoke again.

"Stuart and Olivia are older than the two of you. More mature. What happens if the unexpected happens again, and the two of you break up as young couples often do?"

"We're not running a goddamn dating site," Stuart added gruffly.

Mature, my ass. If he was playing bad cop, he was taking things way too far.

"Stuart, I can assure you that no one thought that about you and your position," Edward said with a hint of confused anger on his face. "Besides, isn't that what the Relationship Agreement paperwork is for? It protects the company in those circumstances."

The more upset Stuart grew, the more direct Edward's words became, which only seemed to anger Stuart further.

"I'll quit," I said, surprising myself.

All eyes swung my way.

"If my relationship with Edward doesn't work out, I'll quit."

"Why not quit now?" Stuart asked, eyeing me with interest.

I swallowed. "I love my job, and despite how you're behaving now, I love working for you and Colin. I don't want to have to give that up."

"But would you?" he pressed, ignoring my jab. "Which is more important—your job or your relationship with Edward?"

Nothing like being put on the spot.

Edward stiffened beside me, and I spoke quickly.

"Both are important to me. But if I have to choose, I'll choose him."

"We're choosing to stay with Smith and Devaney," Edward said firmly. One of his hands rested casually against the table, and I envied his professional cool, his easy calm. "We're both driven, excellent performers for this company, and that's not going to change. I'm asking for the same trust and confidence that was given to Stuart and Olivia."

Stuart shifted in his chair. "I'm not sure you've earned it. Your judgment isn't always sound. Didn't your involvement with Tanya Taylor, not even a year ago, result in behavioral issues?"

As the dart shot home, Edward blinked.

Fuck.

"Both Tanya and I agreed we had a lapse in judgment while inebriated at the holiday party," he began coolly, politely. "I went to Colin about it immediately to mitigate any fallout. Tanya and I have worked together successfully in the interim. I only recently asked you about accepting her in your department because she displayed creative tendencies that I thought could benefit the advertising side. Obviously, you agreed."

Stuart's lips thinned. "And are you going to ask to have Miss Swan relocated a year from now when a new subordinate attracts your attention?" he asked coolly.

"Stuart," Colin rebuked. "You've more than made your point."

"I'm not entering into a relationship with Bella lightly," Edward said in a low tone that just barely remained professional. "I'm asking, based on my past contributions and value with this company, that I be extended the same confidence and trust that was given to you when you found yourself in a relationship with a subordinate."

There were a long few beats where Stuart looked pleased that he'd been able to penetrate Edward's calm. Then, with a short nod, he turned to Colin.

"Well, you're his boss. In your opinion, does Mr. Cullen's performance warrant this kind of trust?"

Sighing, Colin sat back in his chair and regarded Edward with critical eyes. Under the table, I crossed my fingers.

"Edward has managed and coached a successful marketing team for over two years now. He has been instrumental in retaining Luxe and Tomkinson Divisions, two of our top clients. He helps keep his eye on their competitors so we're one step ahead in their arenas. He has strong relationships with several of our other clients—many who have claimed him as the most successful strategist they've ever worked with. And, more than a few people on his team are actively striving to match his performance—Miss Swan in particular."

I went light-headed as sweet relief coursed through my body. High praise, indeed. I was cheering for Edward, for myself, inside.

Colin tilted his head as he continued. "Losing Edward . . . would be a loss to the company," he said slowly. "Truthfully, I would hate to lose either of them."

"Anyone is replaceable," Stuart said.

"You don't need to replace me," Edward said. "At the moment, I don't want to go anywhere else."

My heart banged at his veiled threat. Colin noticed, also—I saw his face fall ever so slightly.

"I appreciate that, Edward," he said. "But we do have the issue of your relationship with Bella to contend with. Stuart's relationship with Olivia aside, it's bad business to get involved with anyone you work with."

"I understand that," Edward answered. "Neither Bella nor I planned or wanted our relationship to be a problem. But both of us are prepared to sign paperwork that will protect the company. And as I think we've demonstrated tonight, we're also prepared to conduct ourselves professionally."

I did an internal fist pump at the hard glance Edward directed at Stuart.

"Granted," Stuart spoke dryly, aware of Edward's pointed barb. "But you can't always plan for every situation. And people will find out. What then?"

"If we have the company's backing, no one else's opinion will matter."

"Oh, they'll matter, all right," Colin broke in. "Don't kid yourself, Edward. Bella will be especially vulnerable. You believe the two of you are prepared to behave professionally in the wake of situational gossip, but it'll be a different matter when you're actually faced with it. And you'll have to rise above it."

Edward shrugged. "I don't want to downplay any of the consequences, but we don't plan to give them anything to talk about. And eventually, talk will die down."

Stuart turned his burning brown eyes my way.

"Miss Swan, why so quiet?" he asked provocatively, and I straightened.

Just listening in disbelief to you being an utter asshole.

"Just letting you have your say first," I replied after a short hesitation. "Edward and I have talked about this in depth several times. He's speaking for me, too. And I realize the gossip might be damaging, but like Edward said, I don't plan to give anyone anything to talk about."

"You probably will, and without realizing it," he replied with a heavy, unblinking glare. "But it's how you behave afterward that will matter to the company. And if you think I'm giving you a hard time, just wait until someone brings up your circumstances. No one said anything to me—but they did to Olivia."

My chin rose. "My job is more important than someone's opinion about how I live my life."

"You say that now. But if things sour between you and Edward? Are you going to take that anger out on your clients? On your coworkers? On him?"

Oh, please, I thought. Give me some credit for not behaving like you.

"If things sour between Edward and me, I'll quit," I repeated my earlier claim. "If we're having a disagreement, I will not let it affect my work performance or relationships. I understand that if I'm at work, I'm an employee first, not Edward's partner."

"Prettily said," Stuart stated, then neatly tipped the glass in his hand back into his mouth.

"We're prepared to sign paperwork to that effect," Edward reminded them. "We're prepared to protect the company."

"It seems as if you are." Colin sighed. "But we'll give it a trial run of six weeks. You'll sign the paperwork, and we'll monitor your performance and attitudes. I hope it goes smoothly."

"Hope in one hand, shit in the other," was Stuart's comment.

"I'm really surprised, Mr. Devaney; I thought you'd be more understanding of our situation," I said to him, my tone carefully polite. Why the hell was he giving us such a hard time?

"I do understand," he snapped. "I'm all too aware of the pitfalls." He looked at Edward. "While it may have seemed easy for me and Olivia, it wasn't always that way. She often had to fight to maintain her professionalism under fire. Someone who's no longer with the company used to make snide comments about sleeping with the boss, something she didn't mention to me until after he was gone."

I felt slightly ill, imagining it. If anyone said that to me, I'd want to punch them in the nose.

"Not to mention," Stuart continued, "A fight at home wasn't necessarily forgotten while we were at work."

"Not forgotten, maybe, but no one ever saw a reason to question your conduct," Edward said. "I don't remember seeing or hearing about any problems. And Bella and I have also discussed the outcome for when others discover our relationship. We're not going into this blind."

With that said, he bent to retrieve his briefcase. Setting it on the table, he opened it and withdrew a sheaf of papers and a pen.

The company's Relationship Agreement.

Quickly, Edward wrote his name and date on one of the lines of the last page. Then, I did the same, before I pushed the paperwork over to Stuart. He eyed where we'd signed, then glanced at Colin.

"Are we really doing this?" he asked.

"For the last time," Colin said with a slow nod. "For a trial period of six weeks. Yes."

I snuck a look at Edward—his ruggedly handsome face with its impossibly high cheekbones was still serene and cool. He was utterly in charge, and it was sexy as hell. Feeling my stare, he smiled softly at me. I bit my lip, unable to hide my answering smile.

Inside, I was sliding bonelessly from my chair to the floor in relief.

Colin took the paperwork from Stuart, then began writing as he spoke.

"And if there are ensuing complications with either of your job performances within the designated period, Bella agrees to find another job immediately."

He handed the paperwork back to me with those added words.

Edward scowled at the caveat, and my stomach dipped at the thought, but I'd brought up the idea myself. And so I signed my name again.

When I looked up again, it was at Edward. Uncaring that Colin or Stuart might see, he gave me his breath-stealing smile and winked at me.

We got this, his eyes told me.

During dinner, Stuart finally relaxed into someone human. Maybe the second drink helped, too. He shared some of the situations he and Olivia had gone through, then talked about possible pitfalls and offered us some tips, gradually winning my trust. I had to fight tears, I was so relieved. After the tough time he'd given us, it helped me understand why Edward thought he could trust him in the first place.

Although Colin wasn't his usual jovial self, he also offered suggestions. And while both of their thoughts might have been made with the health of the company in mind, it was also evident that they were going to stand behind us.

It was damn surreal, and I had to pinch myself more than once.

A/N: I have a Group on Facebook called Powered by 23 Kicks Fanfiction where I've been sharing teasers and the occasional EPOV. Come join us!