Love, Utley (Love Letters #1)

Maddox sits up straight, turning back toward his food. “Maybe I don’t want to know.”

I continue anyway. “You went to some fancy charity event. And pictures from the night were plastered all over, and they showed you with this woman. And she was”— I wave my hand around— “freaking perfect. And it made me hate you a little. So I burned your sweatshirt in a bonfire.”

Instead of looking sheepish, Maddox has a smirk on his face while he scoops up another bite of food.

“What?” I narrow my eyes.

“I know exactly what event you’re talking about. And, that girl… She was hired to be there.” He shoves his food into his mouth.

“Do you seriously think telling me she was an escort makes it any better?”

Maddox immediately starts to cough. “Dammit, Hannah,” he laughs, making himself cough more. “She wasn’t—”

I pat his back, not wanting him to die over this.

“I meant she was hired by the event to walk around and take pictures,” he says, still laughing.

“Oh.”

“Yeah, not my escort. And not my girlfriend.” He takes a sip of his coffee to clear his throat.

I sigh. “Well, what a waste of a good hoodie, then.”

Maddox tries to laugh but ends up coughing one last time and thuds his hand against his chest.

I eye him. “You gonna be okay?”

“Yep, sorry, your attempt to kill me hasn’t worked.”

“Darn. Guess I’ll try jalapeño chips next time.”

Maddox turns his head to glare at me. “Did you just compare me to that fucker?”

He’s so put out by the suggestion that I have to smother my own laugh. “Obviously I’m joking. You’re taller than he is.”

Maddox fights a smile. “Cute.”

I bat my lashes and take another bite of pancake.

“Seriously though, what’s his deal? Has he been like that the whole time you’ve worked together?”

“Um, like what specifically?”

Maddox taps his fork against his plate. “Like a fucking creep. Following you around and asking you to lunch.”

“Oh, that.” I roll my eyes. “Yeah. I’ve never given him any reason to believe I’d be interested. Because I’ve never been.” I answer the question I’m sure Maddox wants to ask. “But he’s your typical corporate dick bag. Never taking a hint. Thinking their existence is a gift to women everywhere.”

“I’ll fire him.” Maddox stabs into his pancakes.

I’m happy that’s his first reaction, even if it’s over the top. “You can’t just fire him for no reason.”

Maddox grunts instead of answering.

SEVENTY-FIVE

MADDOX

Watching Hannah leave feels so wrong.