Brant swore. “I’ve learned it’s best to just do as she asks and then figure out an escape plan.”
“Noted.” She tried smiling, she really did, but leaving that bathroom, with all its confessions, with all its feelings—it felt like the minute she closed the door all would be lost. It was ridiculous, but that bathroom represented the first time in four years that Nikki had actually had some closure or at least had heard Brant explain why he’d left, why he’d done what he did.
The door opened, then closed again. Brant cupped her face. “What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
She shook her head, willing the tears to stay in. “Nothing, I’m fine. I just…I’m tired.”
“Nik—”
She forced a smile and reached around him to push the door open.
“There you are!” Nadine announced, and suddenly Nikki was in a choking plume of flowery perfume, and getting tugged down a hall and gently pushed onto a nice, plush chair. Colors of blue and brown blurred in front of her; movement caught her eye.
She probably looked exactly how she felt—like hell.
“Now…” Nadine patted her hand. “Since Brant’s here on the Titus dime, working…” She made sure to accentuate the word working, even adding in a pregnant pause after it. “…why don’t we leave him to it? The men can join Brant, and we women can enjoy a spa day!”
Lovely. “Relaxing” at a spa she worked at, with her boss. Ugh.
“Actually.” Nikki stood. She couldn’t just take time off like that, especially with how busy it was. “I have to get back to work—once the clothes arrive.”
“Oh.” Nadine sounded upset. “How unfortunate. I was really hoping to try the Zen room.”
“No,” Brant interrupted. His voice had Nikki jumping in her seat.
“What do you mean, no?” Nadine’s voice rose.
“I mean no, Nikki shouldn’t go back to work. She’s injured, and the injury took place on the clock. She should relax.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Nadine said in a Well, that’s all there is to it voice. “So, shall we try the Zen room while the men go to the meditation tent?”
“Meditation? Tent?” Brant repeated. “Why the hell would we go to a tent?”
“You’re in the Zen program.” Nadine laughed. “Oh dear, did nobody tell you about the meditation practices? It’s for meditation.”
“No,” Brant said through clenched teeth. “Because some jackass who hates me is the one who signed me up for it.” On cue, his stomach growled.
Nikki hid a smile behind her hand.
“No chance in hell,” came Brock’s voice, “that any of us are going into a sweat tent to meditate.”
“Actually”—Bentley drew the word out—“I think it’s a great idea.”
“The hell you do!” Brant yelled. “Wait…why do you have that smile on your face…”
Nikki loved this. The way they interacted with each other. The way that even when they fought you could tell it was out of love.
And suddenly, it was too much. Her heart sank.
When she worked hard, when her feet were exhausted after a long day’s work, it was easy to lie down on her giant bed and convince herself she was happy, that she didn’t need anything else in her life. She had a great job and great friends, and she was good at what she did.
Suddenly the room fell quiet.
Her cheeks heated. “I’m sorry, I—did I miss something?”
“I said your name four times,” Brant announced. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yup.” Friend. “Are the clothes here yet? Like I said, I really need to get back to work.”
Nobody said anything, and then suddenly she heard Brant’s voice.
“Yes, hi Annie, it’s Brant.” He cursed. “Yes, the prick who’s dying a slow death in your romance novel…oh, poisoning? How wonderful, thank you…No, no, I’m not being sarcastic.” Another sigh. “Well, as long as there’s hope he doesn’t completely lose all sexual function.”
Nikki smiled and then the smile was gone. Friends. Great, already she was getting comfortable with a man who wasn’t in her life anymore.
“Yes, how many clients does Nikki have this afternoon? Cancel them. Immediately…No, you only get raises when you perform well outside your normal duties. Yes.” He paused. “You’ve never seen your employee handbook?” He groaned. “That’s clearly a problem. Do me a favor and get Cole to meet me in the lobby. Yes, I’m aware I’m expected in the meditation tent, but my brothers cheerfully volunteered to take my place.”