Law #2: Don't Play with a Player: A Sweet Office Romance Story (Laws of Love) by Agnes Canestri (i am reading a book TXT) 📗

The receptionist rubs his chin, and the squishy sound of his beard is unnerving.

“One of your rooms was given away to another participant. The one you booked for Ms. Flores.”

“What? How could this happen?” I bark and take absolute satisfaction in watching the guy pale.

Nothing was supposed to go wrong. Nothing. And now this lad tells me Laia doesn’t have a room?

“I’m not sure.” The receptionist hits a few keys, and his eyes speed back and forth as he reads his screen. “Ah, okay, I have it. We had a special request from a lady who has anxiety issues when placed on the top floor. A colleague of mine switched Ms. Flores’ room with hers. Thanks to this change, Ms. Flores can stay in a suite with a breathtaking view of Wild Burro Canyon.” He flashes me a relieved smile, apparently proud that he managed to clear up my problem.

“Only not on the same floor as I am,” I murmur.

“Well, no. I’m really sorry about that.”

For his benefit, the receptionist does seem sorry, so I decide not to pester him any further. It’s not the end of the world if Laia and I need to sleep on a different floor. Maybe this distance will even add a touch of the romanticism Laia likes.

After dinner together, I’ll accompany her to her level as if I’m giving her a lift home and then wander back to my own floor. I’d like her to have the best possible time in Tucson, and staying in a suite instead of a deluxe room might contribute to that.

“Here are your keys, sir.” The receptionist hands me the cards. “Do you need someone to take up your luggage, or will you manage?”

“It’s fine, I’ll take care of them. Thanks.”

I slip the cards in my jacket pocket and pivot around to search for Laia. She should be back already.

But instead of her dark hair, blond tresses teased into a high bun obscure my view.

Morgan struts towards me, her boot heels clicking on the graphite tiles with each step. Her hands are in the pockets of her pink blazer, the same hue as her lipstick.

“Hey there, Dev,” she purrs when she reaches me, pulling her shoulders back so her white top’s neckline becomes more plunging. “How great to see you again. How are you?”

“All is good,” I answer, then decide to cut to the chase. “What are you doing here, Morgan? I thought Theo and you couldn’t make it because of his Alaska trip.”

Morgan’s hooded eyelids, a trait she hates on herself but learned to mask with eyeshadow, flutter. “Well, yes. Theo is indeed there. But I asked him to confirm my presence for this gala before he left.”

My eyes widen. “Theo agreed for you to come to his work event without him?”

Morgan shrugs. “Like you said in the teahouse, the gala wouldn’t have been an important gig for him anyway. As for me, well, let’s just say I didn’t give him much choice. I really wanted to be here. And I can be very persuasive when I set on mind on something.”

I shake my head. “I remember that. But as far as I know, you don’t have a job, other than being a socialite. Why would you want to participate in an ad industry event that’s of no concern to you?”

“Well, I wouldn’t say it’s of no concern.” She gives me a coy smile. “You are here.”

“Me?” My brows jump almost to my hairline.

“Yes. I’ve been thinking about you since our meeting at the teahouse. About how things went down between us. I wanted a chance to catch you alone and chat about that. I have regrets, you know.” She bends slightly closer, and her perfume’s potent cloud wafts over me. “Do you have them, too?”

I take a step back because her fragrance tickles my throat. “Regrets? About us, you mean? No, as a matter of fact, I do not.”

Morgan sniffs. “I get it. We have a lot of peculiar memories, right?”

“Peculiar isn’t the most adequate word to describe them.”

“Ah,” Morgan sighs, “don’t be so rigid, Dev. I know I’ve made a mistake. A big one. But in my defense, you weren’t particularly fun in college. Not like you used to be in high school. There, we had a blast together. But as soon as we moved to Phoenix, that changed. You changed.”

I square my shoulders as she recites the same lame excuse she gave me for her betrayal years ago.

“What you mean is I couldn’t be at your service non-stop anymore. I was preparing my business plan for Hudson Communications, tracking down potential clients, and studying full-time, Morgan.”

She nods. “I understand now. I might have been short-sighted to think you were wasting your time with your company idea. I should have placed my bets on you and not on Theo.”

“Well, it’s a unique type of apology. I’m not sure Theo would be happy to hear it.”

Morgan rolls her eyes. “I’m not even sure he would care. I never thought becoming a wealthy lawyer would turn him into the boring guy he is now. All he cares about is his business. He doesn’t go out to clubs like you do. I feel like I’m married to an old man.”

I’m amazed that talking with Morgan about our past doesn’t even trigger a mild annoyance. Much less the bitterness I used to feel.

I’ve lived in the aftermath of my failed relationship with her for many years. I told myself it was better never to commit again because I’d been burned by love.

But as I stare at Morgan, it dawns on me that I lied to myself.

I’ve never really loved Morgan.

At least not the way I love Laia.

I mistook the sense of pride that came from being with Morgan for a sense of bliss. I thought I cared for her deeply, but I never felt at ease with her like I do with Laia. I didn’t admire her soul or share her same interests.

I was wrong to ever propose to her. We would have never been happy