The plus one problem

Everything Feels a Little Too Real Now

Not because she was embarrassed.

But because if she looked at him any longer, she might actually launch herself over the desk and kiss him senseless.

And  that would  be wildly unprofessional.

3

She managed to get through an entire thirty minutes of work before Wes interrupted her again.

"By the way," he said casually, tossing a folder onto her desk, "pack a bag."

Hallie blinked.

She glanced down at the papers.

Flight details.

"Excuse me?"

"Corporate retreat," he said, like this wasn't a complete bombshell. "We leave tomorrow morning."

Hallie stared at him.

Then at the papers.

Then back at him.

"You're joking."

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

"You always look like you're joking."

"Well, I'm not."

Her stomach flipped.

"Why didn't you tell me about this sooner?"

He smirked.

"I forgot."

"You—forgot?"

"Yeah."

Hallie's brain short-circuited.

"You, Mr. 'I Have a Spreadsheet for Everything,' forgot about a corporate retreat?"

"Guess I had other things on my mind."

Hallie narrowed her eyes.

"You are the worst."

"And yet, you still love me."

She groaned.

Because damn him.

He was right.

4

The retreat was in St. Lucia.

Which meant—

A tropical island.

A fancy resort.

A full weekend alone with Wes, outside of work, outside of their usual settings.

Which alsooo meant—

No escaping him.

Now there was nothing stopping him from touching her whenever he wanted.

From kissing her in the ocean, or against a balcony railing, or—

Geeeeez...She was so, soooo doomed.

And the worst part?

She already knew she wasn't going to survive this trip.

Not with Wes.

Not with what they had now.

Not with how easy it was to love him.

5

Their flight left early the next morning.

Which meant Hallie had exactly one night to pack, panic, and pretend she was fine.

She failed miserably at all three.

She had packed too much, stressed too much, and absolutely was not fine.