#Chapter 16- Bikini

Rock insisted on paying. “No arguments,” he said, jabbing a fork in my direction. “If it weren’t for you, we never even would have had a problem to solve.” We were at a fancy restaurant late into the evening. The restaurant choice and the dinner hangout had all been at Rock’s suggestion as a thank-you for getting him promoted. “You earned the promotion,” I replied, cheeks warming. “You worked hard.” He scoffed. “Please. That solution was yours. I just had better timing with the signature.” I laughed, dipping a breadstick in sauce. It felt good to be here, in a quiet booth with good food and someone who didn’t make me feel like I was constantly tiptoeing through a minefield. I felt like I could unwind in what felt like the first time in weeks. We were halfway through the appetizer platter when Rock leaned in with a sly grin. “So,” he said. “Are you ever gonna tell me what happened after that night at Howl?” I nearly choked on my tea. His eyes lit up. “I saw you and K