“A detective called me yesterday,” I say. “He said they overdosed, and somehow their trailer caught fire while their bodies were inside. He said they think it was an accident, but they’ll investigate to rule out all other possibilities. He said the only way they could be identified is through dental records, because of how badly their bodies were burned.” A lump forms in my throat and I try to swallow it. To anyone else I would look heartless for not being upset about my parents’ death, but no one really understands that the only thing that made them my parents in the first place is nothing more than biology. They showed no parental inclinations and made sure to tell me I was a mistake at every chance they got. How do I mourn people like that? “Wow,” Quinn sighs, “And I thought I had problems.”

“About that, what happened with Jarred?” I ask, thinking about the state he was in when he showed up at my apartment yesterday. Kyler wasn’t impressed, but I’m glad he didn’t get involved.

Quinn turns to face me, tucking a recently pedicured foot under her butt. “He showed up at my parents’ place,” she replies, eyeing me warily. “You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”

“I’m sorry, Quinny. But he showed up at my place, looking freaked out because he couldn’t find you, and I wanted him to find you so that he could grovel for your forgiveness. I felt bad for him, okay?”

Quinn exhales audibly, pulling her fingers through her platinum blonde hair. Even with the dark circles under her eyes, Quinn still looks immaculate. “I know, Cass, it’s fine. My parents gave him a hard time, too. My dad was so angry, not about the pregnancy, but because Jarred acted like an ass. Eventually, I told my parents to let us talk.”

“I hope he declared his undying love for you, and promised to be the best damn father the world has ever seen. If not, I’ll castrate him on your behalf.” “I told him we need a break,” Quinn says, tears building in her eyes. “I told him he needs to decide what’s important to him, and what’s not. If he can’t be there for me and our baby, then he must tell me now. I don’t want my baby coming into a volatile environment. He or she will be loved, even if it’s just me.” She sniffs, and I reach over to hand her a tissue.

“You won’t be alone,” I tell her. “I told you this kid is going to have the best godmother in the universe. And you’ll probably have to fight your parents off,” I giggle.

“I’m scared, Cass,” Quinn whispers. “What if I’m no good at this? What if Jarred decides he can’t do this?”

“First of all, you are going to be an amazing mother, and second of all, if Jarred leaves you then he doesn’t deserve you or your baby. But I don’t think you have to worry about that. Jarred will come around when he realizes just how much he’s losing.”

“I hope so,” Quinn replies softly.

We sit in silence for the shortest time, both consumed by the events in our lives. I can’t help but think of the irony of our situations. My parents are both gone, and Quinn is pregnant.

My desk phone rings and I jump up quickly to answer it.

“Cassey Emerson speaking.”

“Miss Emerson,” Kyler’s assistant greets me on the phone. “Mr. Knight has requested that you meet him in his office right away.”

“Okay,” I reply, frowning. “I’ll be right up.”

“Who was it?” Quinn asks, standing up. She straightens her cream colored linen work pants and her red bell-sleeve blouse.

“Kyler’s assistant. He wants to see me.”

Quinn smirks. “Let me know what sex feels like on a desk,” she chimes, waving goodbye as she leaves my office.

I follow her out, and take brisk walk to the elevator. When I reach Kyler’s office door, Nikola, his assistant, has a gleam in her eyes that makes my skin crawl. She’s up to something. She motions to the door but doesn’t escort me inside, which is strange because she usually does. I open the door, and my feet root themselves to the floor. My body tenses and I freeze.

“Cass? What are you doing here?” Kyler asks, surprised. It takes me a minute to reply, given that I’m staring at the bitch who tried to ruin me and Kyler. Jessa fucking Price.

“Your assistant called,” I reply icily. I have the urge to run like hell, but I don’t. I made a promise to myself that I would trust Kyler again. I just didn’t think my trust would be tested so soon. “She said you wanted to see me.” Kyler frowns confused, and then he rises to his feet. “There must be a misunderstanding.”

Jessa looks at me from over her shoulder, and gives me a venomous smile. Bitch. Then it dawns on me. She planned this. She wanted me to walk in here and see them together. Too bad I won’t let her win this round. Or any other round after this.

Kyler rounds his desk and I walk towards him. I square my shoulders, and lift my chin by an inch.

“I’m sorry- ”

“Kyler,” Jessa interrupts, rising from her own seat. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?”

I step forward and stick my hand out. “Cassey Emerson,” I reply. “Kyler’s girlfriend.”

Jessa’s expression falters, and if I wasn’t staring at her, I wouldn’t have noticed. She shakes my hand and then drops it quickly. Kyler’s hand rests on the small of my back, and his touch somehow eases my rigid muscles. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she says. I can almost see the venom dripping from her mouth.

“Likewise,” I lie. I turn to Kyler and smile up at him. I wrap my arms around his waist, pressing my body to his. He inhales and grins at me. He knows what I’m doing, I can see it in his eyes.

“I’m sorry, baby, I didn’t mean to interrupt your meeting,” I tell him. I bat my eyelashes slightly, just for effect. “Call me after, and we can have lunch in your office?”

Before Kyler can respond, I slide my hand up his chest and around his neck, pulling his head down. I press my lips to his and ravage his mouth. We pull apart, breathless. “Come find me when you’re done,” I suggest innocently. He clears his throat. “I won’t be long,” he replies, his voice rough, and thick. It only sounds like that before or during sex, and I revel on the fact that I can turn him on with just a kiss.

I smile sweetly at Jessa. “It was nice meeting you,” I say. “But if you ever touch my man again, your small boobs will be the least of your worries.” Her face drops and Kyler snorts next to me. I kiss him on the cheek one last time and walk out of his office, feeling confident and stronger than I thought I would after a confrontation like that. I ignore Nikola and go back to my office.

A n hour later, Kyler walks into my office. He shuts and locks my door, and then purposefully comes to stand in front of me.

“Hi.” My voice is quiet, and low, and I start to doubt the boldness I displayed in his office earlier. Maybe I could’ve behaved a little more professionally, but seeing Jessa made my blood boil, and I just wanted put her in her place. “You,” Kyler breathes out. He lifts me from my chair easily and lowers my butt to the edge of my desk.

“I know what you were doing,” he says. He pushes my skirt up to my hips and steps between my legs. “You were claiming me, marking your territory.” “Yes,” I sigh. He brushes the front of my thong with his knuckle and I bite my lip.