Chapter 23: Chapter 23

LAUREN

Lauren picked at her jumper and gave Shana a sheepish look, a blush staining her cheeks. “How did you find out?”

“I went to the restaurant last night to drop off your portfolio,” Shana said, “and what do I see? You two. Dry humping each other in the lobby, getting into an elevator.” She sat across from Lauren at the breakfast bar. “Did you not listen to a word I said about him?”

Deciding that now wasn’t the best time to tell Shana the full story of their relationship, Lauren said, “I did listen, but I just couldn’t help it. He’s…kind of irresistible. And I was just coming to tell you about it. And to ask for your blessing to keep seeing him.”

“First of all,” Shana said, raising her index finger in the air, “if I can manage to resist him every day I walk into that office, surely you could have done so for one dinner.”

Lauren bristled at the condescension in Shana’s tone but let her continue.

“Secondly, you could have warned me beforehand so I wouldn’t have to find out that way—or better yet, maybe don’t fuck my boss, because thirdly, I don’t give you my permission to see him.” Shana crossed her arms and set her face.

The authoritative voice Shana used at the end fueled Lauren’s anger to a boil, but she kept her tone calm as she said, “Shana, I love you, but back off. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you beforehand, and I’m sorry that hurt your feelings, but if I decide to fuck someone after dinner, then I will.”

Shana opened her mouth to speak, but Lauren continued. “And I didn’t ask for your permission, I asked for your blessing. I’m a grown woman, and I can have a relationship with whoever I want.”

Scoffing, Shana slapped her own thigh. “See? There you go, being you. You fucked him one time, and suddenly it’s a relationship? That’s pathetic, Lauren. You’re pathetic. And what about your career, your reputation?”

Lauren’s hands clenched into fists as her face flamed, but Shana continued her tirade.

“You’re fucking your client, Lauren. All that you’ve done for yourself so far suddenly means nothing because one man knows how to work his dick? Come on. Is that what you want to be known for? Sleeping your way to the top? Being a spoiled heiress?

“I mean, what do you think will happen with Logan? You think he’ll settle down with you, marry you, and give you kids? And then what? You’ll have to give up your career to be his arm candy and a good mother to your kids? Is that really what you’ve worked so hard for?

“Because I thought this was what you’ve been working so hard to avoid.” Shana took a breath. “Look, Lauren, I’m sorry to break it to you, but Logan only cares about one thing, and when he’s done using you for that one thing, I’ll be the one dealing with the fallout.

“Whether you end it or he does, I’ll have to deal with it because you’re my best friend and he’s my boss. And it ~will~ end badly—it always does with him. I’ll have to hear you crying and wallowing in self-pity and self-hatred for months until you get over him.

“And if he doesn’t fire me outright, he’ll make my days in the office miserable. He’ll probably never let me move up in the company, and I don’t want to be an assistant forever. Hell, he may even blacklist me in the industry. I’ve known him to be that petty before.

“He’s the head of the business world, Lauren, and I’m exactly where I need to be to get anywhere in that world fast. I’ve worked so hard for the future I’m building, and I know you have too. But you’re right, you can make your own decisions for your life.

“But please, as your best friend, I’m begging you not to make decisions that will affect ~my~ life, especially when it’s just for some great sex with Logan Hawke, who will take what he wants and leave both of us with nothing.”

All of Lauren’s anger was gone by the time Shana finished. She’d made such good points that it was hard to argue against them. But that emotion had to go somewhere, so it left her body in the form of tears.

Shana had her arms around her in an instant, stroking her head. “Oh, sweetie. I’m so sorry. I know you like him; you wouldn’t have slept with him if you didn’t.”

Lauren let the tears fall, knowing she had to give up the happiness she had just found. She’d thought what she wanted most in her life was a successful career, but Logan had given her a spark she’d never felt before.

He made her feel seen, heard, and more confident in herself. His desire for her made her feel alive, loved, and worthy of receiving love. And now she had to give that up.

Swallowing her tears, pulling out of the hug, and resigning herself to dying alone, Lauren said, “No, you’re right. I’ll end it.”

***

Lauren pulled into the parking garage of Logan’s apartment building. Even though it would be hard to tell him in person—and even harder not to let him do all the things he’d promised to when she returned—she didn’t want to tell him over the phone.

Wanting to be sure he was home before she went all the way up, Lauren called his cell, but it went straight to voicemail. She frowned and tried again, this time hearing a ringing outside her car before it went to voicemail.

She turned to see where the ringing had come from, and her gut dropped as she watched Logan open the door of his fancy sports car for a gorgeous brunette.

The woman had a killer figure and a wicked smile, and Logan kissed her on the cheek. Then they both grinned, and he put his hand on her lower back as he led her toward the elevators.

Lauren swallowed hard, her eyes filling with tears and her body going cold, but her anger turned to relief that Logan had made it easier for her to give him up. And now she also didn’t need to break that news to him in person.

Starting her car and driving home, Lauren thought about how naive she’d been, thinking that their sleeping together was an exclusive deal. She should have just listened to Shana from the beginning.

Logan Hawke was an asshole.