Part of Jules wanted to argue that she wasn’t a volleyball for Simon and Vivian to knock back and forth. Most of her, though, heard what Vivian was really saying: I’ll give you up to make you happy.

“Hey.” Jules kept her voice firm when it wanted to shake with emotion. “I’m still going to be with you. I want that more than anything. I—”

Love you. The words stuck on her tongue. It wasn’t the time. Vivian would say she was just being sentimental, that it was too early for that. Worst of all, she wouldn’t say it in return.

Vivian took Jules’s chin between two of her fingers. She leaned in and pressed her lips to Jules’s.

Maybe it was meant to be comforting. It didn’t work out that way. It ended with Vivian shoving her hands into Jules’s hair while Jules put her hand on Vivian’s thigh, fighting not to push up her skirt right away.

When they parted, Vivian whispered against Jules’s mouth, “Will you do one last professional thing for me?”

“What?”

“Text Ben and tell him to stop circling your block. I’ll find my own way home later.”

Jules looked at Vivian, her mouth agape. “But won’t he think that’s weird? Like…he’ll wonder…”

“I don’t care.” Vivian’s voice was low and deadly now. “You’re worried about me in the office? You’re worried about Mark Tavio? Watch and learn.”

Sure. Yeah. Okay. Jules’s phone was on the coffee table. She reached for it and began to type with shaking thumbs while Vivian watched.

Hi Ben, Vivian says not to wait for her

After another moment’s thought, she added a line.

It’s been great working with you btw 

At the emoji, Vivian rolled her eyes but did not protest. Hey, it couldn’t hurt to be diplomatic.

After a moment, the reply came.

Sure thing. I’m sorry about what happened. Wishing you the best

She looked at the last sentence in some confusion. That sounded pretty final. Now that she thought of it, Ben could easily have asked her out. He’d obviously been interested, they weren’t working together anymore, and as far as she knew, he wasn’t dating anyone.

Except, of course, he’d just realized exactly why Vivian was here and knew the claim was staked.

That same knowledge shimmered in Vivian’s eyes, her expression possessive and satisfied. She put her hand on Jules’s knee; it seemed to scorch through her leggings.

“You’re still going to be here, hmm?” she asked.

Jules set her phone down and drew Vivian in closer. “That’s what I said.”

In answer, Vivian bent down and nuzzled against one of Jules’s breasts through her sweatshirt.

“God!” Jules arched up as the ache, familiar now, began between her thighs.