Love, Utley (Love Letters #1)

I shrug. “It was still a fun time.”

He’s quiet for a second as I pour my coffee.

“Who’d you go with?”

I pause as I put the pot back in its place.

It’s not like it’s that weird of a question. But it’s kinda weird. Though it gives me an opportunity to try and set some boundaries.

“Chelsea and I went with a bunch of people from her school.” I pull a spoon out of the drawer. “And my boyfriend came with us.”

“You have a boyfriend?” Brandon’s whole body shifts back like I just told him I’m a werewolf.

“Hannah.” A voice richer than Brandon’s speaks from behind me.

I turn to face the boyfriend in question.

“Morning,” I say, more softly than I mean to.

Maddox holds up the carton of half-and-half I forgot to take out of the fridge when I put my lunch in there.

“Need this?”

I take it from him, trying not to smile too hard over the creamer. “Thanks.”

Turning back to the counter, I pour some into my mug, then stir the contents around.

Brandon is standing there, looking back and forth between us. But instead of addressing him, Maddox holds his hand out to take the creamer back.

“I got that.”

Since I don’t really want to have to shuffle between him and Brandon, I hand Maddox the carton.

He inclines his head. “Have a nice morning.”

“You too.” I pick up my coffee, biting down on my lip.

I’m walking away when Maddox speaks again.

“Brandon. A word.”

EIGHTY-FOUR

MADDOX

Brandon stops after one step, and I don’t move, forcing him to turn toward me and away from Hannah.

I wasn’t about to have him watch her walk away in that fucking dress.

He’s not looking at my girlfriend.

“Yeah?” His tone is awfully short, considering he’s talking to the owner of the company.

I wait a heartbeat longer than comfortable before I talk. “Darren in technical needs a pair of eyes from someone in sales to look at some tech sheets.”

“Oh, I don’t—” he starts.

But this isn’t a democracy.