Lost Me Gained Regret

"Much appreciated."

We came to a halt in front of the elevator.

I felt a gaze upon us.

Glancing over, I saw Dailey standing next to me.

Silence fell for a moment, but given he wasn't a stranger, I felt compelled to break it.

"Headed downstairs, Mr. Clarkson?"

Dailey's eyes briefly swept over Christine before he responded, "Yeah, wrapping up. Off to the parking garage."

Got it, he was leaving.

I mentioned, "We're also headed to the parking garage. Might as well share the ride."

No sooner had I finished than Merritt suddenly piped up, "Chris, my back's suddenly itchy. Can you scratch it for me? My hands are full."

A simple request, and Christine was quick to help out.

"Chris, it won't work through the coat."

Merritt's voice, laden with a hint of whine and those puppy-dog eyes, really did make him seem like a big, playful pup.

Impossible not to feel a bit soft-hearted.

I've never been one for younger guys, totally not my thing.

Christine seemed to be enjoying

into his collar,

chuckled, "A bit

did it seem like he

know about Dailey and Christine's

Christine was unlikely to bring up an ex with someone new. Maybe it was just that male

Ding-

elevator doors

Chris, let's head in,"

doors, ushering Christine and then me

of us were

I wondered if Dailey would opt not

were nearly shut,

was a heart-stopping

calm demeanor and pressed for the

air suddenly filled with an almost

throat and busied

stood in one corner, clearly distancing themselves from Dailey. Dailey positioned himself near the elevator controls, back straight,

sneakily snapped a photo and texted Gregory "SOS, I

love

should be free, and he texted back instantly: "Is

love interest, but it's still up in the

"Got it, the

sure knows

working on a movie set with Mr. Shaw. Thought it'd be

intelon Mr. Shaw's you

a bind,