Chapter 182 Yeah right
June
After making Hermes come undone in my hands and mouth, we slid down to the tiled floor together, backs against the fogged shower glass. My pulse was still thrumming, his breath still uneven. My head rested on his shoulder as he absentmindedly caressed my arm, his fingers warm, slow, almost… tender.
I exhaled softly, letting the quiet settle.
“You’re remembering things, Hermes.”
I smiled to myself. “I’m glad.”
He turned his head toward me, eyes narrowing like he was trying to puzzle out the full picture.
“You started this, right?” he asked. “I refused at first but—”
I lifted my head from his shoulder, cutting gently in.
“Yes. I did. And you agreed.”
A small laugh escaped me. “I was so excited back then.”
Hermes let out a low chuckle — smug, irresistible, and absolutely on brand.
“I know I have that effect on people.”
He shrugged, running a hand through his damp hair like he deserved applause.
I snorted — loud, unfiltered, amused.
Of course he had that effect on me. Back then I practically chased him like a fever I couldn’t shake.
But now?
Now the universe had handed me the perfect chance for a reverse payback arc.
I clapped once and got to my feet, moving toward the sink.
“Well, it’s all over now.”
The faucet squeaked on.
Behind me, I heard the sharp inhale — his whole body going rigid at the implication.
“What— what do you mean?”
He scrambled to stand, voice cracking in disbelief.
“We’re not done yet. I haven’t fu— I mean, we haven’t fucked yet.”
I scoffed, glancing at him through the mirror as water ran over my hands.
“I’m still dating your friend, Hermes.”
The look on his face?
Priceless.
Hermes stuttered, still dazed. “I thought we… had a moment. And we talked and we—”
“Did we fuck?” I cut in, stepping toward him.
His eyes widened. He immediately retreated until his back hit the glass.
“N–No, we didn’t— we—”
I scoffed, folding my arms.
“Exactly. What just happened was nothing. I just felt hungry.”
My fingertips slid across his damp chest, slow and deliberate.
His breath hitched.
My hand trailed up to his neck, and in one controlled, gentle tug, I pulled him down to my level.
My lips brushed his cheek as I whispered:
“We’re not telling Ted anything. Do you understand, Hermes?”
“What the fuck—” he breathed, pupils blown, gaze dropping instantly to my mouth.
I saw the shift. The desire. The confusion. The need.
I smiled.
“If you’re a good boy…” my lips hovered against his, “…you get to fuck me by the end of the day.”
Hermes nodded—slow, helpless—his hands instinctively covering his chest when I released him.
“I feel violated,” he muttered, looking away, “by my employee.”
“Oh, don’t say it like that, Mr. Grande.”
I winked, watching the way it rattled him.
“We’re just in another secret affair.”
His jaw tightened. He started putting his shirt back on.
“You wanted to use the restroom, right?” I said lightly. “Go on. I won’t disturb you.”
I blew him a small, wicked kiss.
“Remember… be a good boy.”
And with that, I stepped out, closing the door softly behind me.
The moment it clicked shut, I pressed my back against it, biting down a laugh.
God, the look on Hermes’s face was just chef kiss.
Suddenly, the entrance door swung open.
I jolted upright, spine straightening like I’d been electrocuted.
“Hey, Ted,” I breathed, forcing a calm smile as I walked toward him.
Ted glanced around the room, phone in hand.
“Where’s Hermes?”
My throat tightened.
Oh God. The script. The one I was supposed to be following.
I pointed stiffly at the bathroom door.
“He’s… inside.”
Ted nodded, slipping an arm around my waist and pulling me close.
He whispered, “I hope you didn’t go over hugging him and crying.”
I shook my head way too hard.
“Of course not. Ted, I heard everything you said and I’m absolutely sticking to the script.”
A smile. A lie. Same thing.
Ted let out a relieved breath.
“That’s good.”
Then his brows drew together.
“What happened to your hair?”
Shit.
My hand flew to my head as I casually unraveled the messy bun I’d thrown it into.
“Oh—this? I was… sweating on my neck, so I just— you know—took it up for a second.”
I cut myself off the moment Ted’s hand landed on my forehead.
His expression darkened with worry.
“Are you okay? It’s literally chilly in here.”
“I–I’m fine,” I stuttered, grabbing his wrist before he could read any deeper.
How the hell was I supposed to explain that I wasn’t overheated—
I had literally just been on my knees, sucking off his best friend.
“He’s unlocking more memories,” I blurt out quickly, desperate to drag the conversation away from… well, everything. “He remembers I asked for a, uh—relationship.”
Ted’s brows lifted.
“Really? You did? Wasn’t he kinda rude to you back then?”
Heat crawled up my neck.
I rubbed it, smiling awkwardly.
“Yeah. I was kind of—”
“Ted.”
Hermes’s deep voice cut clean through the room, slicing my excuse in half.
Ted’s hand immediately tightened around mine.
He leaned closer, whispering, “Game on.”
I nodded, steadying myself.
This was ridiculous.
Ted had no idea what I’d been doing ten minutes ago. Hermes had to pretend nothing happened. And I had to pretend I was deeply in love with Ted.
The universe was laughing at me.
“Hey, Hermes,” Ted said casually, “June and I will be going on a date tonight, so we’ll hire someone else to replace her for the day.”
My head snapped up.
A date?
What the hell?
Why didn’t he tell me before making decisions? What was he even playing at?
Hermes froze mid-step.
His eyes dragged over me, slow and assessing, before shifting back to Ted.
Ted squeezed my hand—
Your line.
“Yes, Mr. Grande,” I said, forcing a bright smile through clenched teeth. “I, uh… totally forgot to tell you. I’m so sorry.”
Hermes snorts, rubbing the towel through his damp hair.
“Of course you forgot,” he says lightly. “You were… busy with something else.”
My heart stops.
My eyes fly wide.
He is NOT about to expose us right now.
Right?
RIGHT?
Ted’s head snaps toward me so fast I hear a crack in his neck.
“What’s he talking about?” he asks, brows knitting, suspicion rising.
Hermes just stands there. Smug. Smirking.
The absolute menace.
His gaze locks with mine—dark, amused, dangerously close to unhinged—and for a split second, I swear he’s daring me to slip.
I force out the fakest laugh known to mankind.
“Oh! That.” I wave a hand casually, praying my voice doesn’t tremble. “He means—uh— I was helping with tips to jog his memories back."
"Yeah right—" Hermes's voice cut in —clipped, deliberate.