Free Adored: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella (1001 Dark Nights) by Lexi Blake Page A

Again.” He shuddered. “I was talking about whatever you did to make her run.”
    He needed to stop being so literal. “I said it was a mistake.”
    Will winced. “Okay, well, the flowers thing was a good idea. Maybe you can try that again. She also likes those cheese Danishes from the bakery down the street from her place.”
    “I tried that, too.” At least he was on the right track. “Unfortunately, I brought them in with the flowers and…”
    “She quit via e-mail. I’m sorry about that, man. It was a cowardly thing to do.”
    Or she’d stopped caring. This was kind of what he did. He was difficult and after a while, people stopped caring and they disappeared. “I know I let you down, Will. I’m sorry about that.”
    Will sighed. “You lost your head over a girl and now you’re going to do the right thing. I knew you two were combustible the minute you got in the same room together. I thought she would be good for you and vice versa.”
    What had he been thinking? “How am I good for her?”
    “You push her. Laurel sometimes accepts her place far too easily. Did you know she didn’t even negotiate her salary at the new place? I have a friend who works there and I had him look into it. She simply accepted the offer and never thought about requesting more. Without you, she never would have gone back to school. She wouldn’t have become a paralegal. She stays an office manager, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but Laurel needs more.”
    “She’s too smart to get stuck. She should go to law school. She would enjoy it. She needs a job where pay doesn’t matter, so get off her back about this one. This type of work is exactly where she should be. Helping people. That’s what makes Laurel tick.”
    “Yes, and you saw that and you made it possible for her to do that, and in a safe environment, and you made sure she didn’t lack for money. So get over your damage, as Kai would say. You’re good for her.”
    He leaned against the wall, studying Will. Maybe this wasn’t as bad as he’d thought it would be. “Kai would never say that. He would sound like a massive intellectual douchebag. ‘Mitchell, your problems stem from a childhood abandonment by your father and verbal abuse and neglect from your maternal influences.’”
    Will made a vomiting sound. “I love the dude, but I want to strangle him when he gets going about childhood issues. Doesn’t he know manly men don’t talk about that shit? We beat each other up and then get a beer. You want a beer, man?”
    At least he hadn’t lost his best friend. “I would love one, but I think I need to talk to your sister.”
    “The good news is she came in an ambulance so she doesn’t have a car. I’ll do you a solid and refuse to give her a ride back. If she gives you any trouble, just pick her up and move her.”
    He went a little shaky at the thought. “I can’t do that. She’s pregnant.”
    Will shook his head. “No. Don’t even think that way. She’s here today because she didn’t eat breakfast and got woozy. She’s not a delicate flower. The baby is seriously tiny. So don’t let her fool you into thinking she’s fragile. Laurel’s strong. She’ll be fine and the two of you have a lot to talk about. Don’t let her shut you out.”
    The door opened and Laurel emerged, followed by her sisters. She’d changed back into the same clothes she’d been wearing earlier, a sweet-looking floral print skirt, a pink blouse, and flats. Her hair was pulled back and she was looking more like her normal, competent self than before when she’d looked like she needed him.
    She did need him. And Will was right. It was time to man up.
    “Well, I think the two of you have a lot to talk about,” Lila said. “Mitch, weren’t you going to say something to Laurel?”
    His heart was suddenly pounding because these were waters he’d promised he’d never, ever swim in again. He was about to dive into the deep end of the pool. “Yes. I do have