Love, Utley (Love Letters #1)

I have body-image issues like anyone, but I’ve learned to be comfortable in my skin. I’ve taught myself that all bodies are good bodies. I’ve made sure Chelsea has grown up in a home where no one is shamed for the way they look. And all of that makes me hate this self-conscious feeling even more.

I don’t want to feel like this.

I won’t let anyone make me feel like this.

Heaving out a breath, I drop my arms.

It’s not a power stance if I’m using it to hide.

“Knock, kno—” Brandon starts from the doorway. “Uh, Hannah?”

Maddox’s oversized frame is blocking me entirely from Brandon’s view.

I step to the side, careful not to trip over my box of files, and look at my coworker. “I’m here.”

His eyes go to the back of Maddox, then to me. I don’t miss the way Maddox is ignoring Brandon’s presence.

“Just, um, wanted to see if you’d like to go out to lunch.”

This isn’t the first time Brandon’s asked me. I’ve always said no in the past because I don’t want him to take it the wrong way, but I’m really tempted to accept today. Simply to get out of this situation.

Then Brandon adds, “A bunch of us are going.”

Sold.

“I’d love to come.”

Inwardly, I roll my eyes at the smug look on Brandon’s face.

I’ve made it as clear as possible over the years that I’m not interested in knowing him outside of work. And he just invited me to a work lunch, with a bunch of other people, so there’s no reason at all for him to look like he’s won something.

But whatever. Not my problem if he wants to be dumb.

“Everyone leaving now?” I ask while I use my foot to kick the bottom drawer closed.

“Yeah.” Brandon nods. “Heading over to Puck Off, that hockey-themed place with the good lunch specials.”

Finally, Maddox turns away from me to face Brandon.

Maddox lifts a brow. “Hockey?”

Brandon grins. “No offense.”

Men.

Taking the opening, I snag my purse from atop my desk and step around Maddox.

I’ve just made it past him, taken one step beyond his position, when he speaks.

“I’ll meet you there.”

ELEVEN

MADDOX

Hannah can’t hide her reaction. She doesn’t want me to come.

Brandon is even worse at masking his annoyance, and that just makes me more certain of my first impression of him. Which is that I don’t like him. And now I know he has his sights set on Hannah.