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Resolved, I decide to hit The Wicked Horse tonight I’ll fuck until I can’t fuck anymore

“Actually…” I say dismissively “I’ll just email the spreadsheet to you It’s self-explanatory Try to change it to fit our department reports If you need any help with the intricacies of the formulas, you can see Mr Pierson’s secretary, Gayle She’s a whiz at it”

“Yes, Mr Blackwood,” she ht dip of her head, she starts to back out of my office

I have to physically restrain o I’d most likely have failed at such an endeavor since she has an a

The ring tone is ust Greenfield’s, whom I haven’t seen in a while I nab my phone from the desk, then make sure Bailey is out of earshot when I ansith a hopeful invitation “Wicked Horse Vegas tonight Meet me at eleven You, me, and a woman with loose morals You in?”

“Actually, I’ust replies Weirdly… I find myself a bit relieved “In fact, I hoped I could see you for a drink I’m actually close to your resort now Got a few minutes to spare?”

Ordinarily, I’d say “no” August is a friend, but no closer or distant than reat tiirlfriend, who’d couy when I was in the mood for a threesome

But no one gets an audience withMy tiuard it fiercely Ad it for me Had she answered this call, she would have flat-out refused him, then offered to book him next week

Yet, I don’t say no When I glance at my watch, I realize it’s al a drink so on in his world—an old flauys after her and a kid sick with cancer Only because of that, I decide to spare him a few moments

“Yeah, man,” I reply “Just head over to Farina’s bar I’ll meet you there”

When I hang up the phone, I glance out my door Bailey is back at her desk, head bent over her work If I don’t have any evening requirements for her, she usually stays until at least six I have no clue where she goes or what she does after that Hell, I don’t even know if she has a boyfriend I never thought to ask

But surely not

Not after e did together

Mentally, Iabout her outside of our working relationship

For my own sanity, it’s imperative

♦

August is already nursing a beer when I get there When I sit, the bartenderthe establishment I rarely eat at my own restaurants Not because they aren’t stellar, but because I don’t likea spectacle of myself, which I tend to do in ive top-notch service to our custo over their shoulder