Love Bites. Rachel Burke K

you kidding me, Renee?” Dylan eyes were aflame. I’d never seen him so mad. Everyone in the office was starting to stare. “How could you not tell me this?”

      “Relax,” Renee said in her calmest voice. “I had no idea this was his office until just now.” She turned to face Walter. “Are you living in Boston now?”

      “No, I’m just here for a few weeks. My dad wanted to branch out and open an office here, so I’m helping him get everything up and running.”

      Suddenly, Renee whipped around, remembering I was there. “Justine!” she called, motioning for me to come over and break the tension. I rose from my seat. “This is…”

      “Walter,” I interrupted. “So I heard.” I extended my hand. “Justine Sterling.”

      “Walter Keller,” he said, shaking it. “A pleasure.”

      Is it ever, I thought. Who the hell was this guy? And why was Dylan so pissed?

      “So, are we still going to…” Walter looked hesitantly between Renee and Dylan. “I mean, if you guys would prefer to use another agency, I completely understand.”

      Dylan started to say something, but Renee silenced him. A slow smirk emerged on her face as she looked back at me. “Actually, Justine is looking for a new apartment.” She feigned an innocent expression. “Maybe the two of you should get started on that while Dylan and I discuss our options?”

      “Sure,” Walter agreed, turning to face me. “Why don’t we go into my office and discuss the locations and price ranges you’re thinking of, and then we can see what’s available?”

      I looked at Renee. Grinning like the little shit she was. But hell, if anything was going to help me get over David, Walter Keller was a good start.

       Los Angeles, CA

       April 2009

      I didn’t sleep with David that night. I mean, sure, I slept with him, but not in the sexual sense. Only in the nocturnal sense.

       After changing out of our soaking-wet swimsuits, David and I somehow ended up in my bed. I’m not really sure how it happened. One minute, I was curled up under my covers, trying to warm up because my hair was soaking wet. The next minute, David was sitting on the edge of my bed, attempting to continue our conversation. Eventually, we both fell asleep without leaving that general proximity.

       By the time I woke up the next morning, David was no longer in my bed, so it sort of felt like it never happened. Instead, he was now in the kitchen, making coffee and eggs and toast. God, he was so damn perfect. Even in his gym shorts with messy bedhead. I remember, at that distinct moment, thinking about how much I wished I could find someone like him. And hating Renee for not realizing how lucky she was.