Reed's side of the call in his office
"So how did I do?" Reed asked, his voice playful, as Sage perched comfortably on his lap. One of his hands rested possessively on her waist while the other casually dropped his phone on the desk behind them.
Sage smiled softly and looped her arms around his neck, leaning in close.
"Very good," she replied, her voice light and teasing, her eyes sparkling with affection.
Reed tilted his head slightly, a mischievous grin pulling at his lips.
"Where's my reward?" he asked, a flirty twinkle in his eyes.
Sage let out a soft chuckle and pressed a feather-light kiss to his lips, the contact brief but sweet.
"That was fast," Reed pouted, his expression boyish as he gazed at her.
Suddenly, Sage's smile faded, her eyes narrowing slightly as she leaned back just enough to study his face. Her tone turned serious.
"You know, I haven't punished you yet for not telling me about Willow working at your company," she said with a small frown, though she remained seated on his lap, her body still warm against his.
Reed's grip on her waist tightened slightly, instinctively trying to anchor her in place.
"Sweetheart, believe me, I really wanted to tell you," he said earnestly. His eyes searched hers, trying to convey sincerity. "But Alder said you're angry at Willow, and... he also doesn't want a lot of people knowing she's back in the country."
"So I'm part of 'a lot of people' now?" Sage asked, her lips forming a soft pout. She drew back slightly, eyes flashing. "If Alder doesn't trust me with his woman, what about you? I'm your woman. Can't you tell me at least this much?" she pressed, slipping gracefully off his lap and hopping onto the edge of the office desk, her legs swinging slightly beneath her.
Reed sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration.
"I'm sorry," he said, leaning forward in his chair. "I just don't want Willow to leave the company. If anyone finds out about her, she might run away from this kind of responsibility. And... even if I don't know a lot about her, I think she would bolt if she knew any of you knew she's back."
Sage crossed her arms and cocked her head, her expression softening but her voice still tinged with hurt.
"But I've been talking to you about my best friend. You should've at least let me get a glimpse of her," she complained, her brows knitting slightly.
Reed leaned back in his chair, watching her carefully.
"I've seen her hide from you. Whenever you come here, she always hides. I believed she stayed here because she thought I didn't know anything about her. And honestly... I don't think she knows me either."
At that, Sage burst out laughing, her entire frame shaking as the tension in the room lifted momentarily.
"You really believe Willow doesn't know you?" she asked between chuckles.
Reed gave a confused nod, tilting his head like a curious child.
"You were Alder's best friend before you traveled. And also, you were my crush. How would Alder's woman—and my best friend—not know about you?" Sage asked, eyes gleaming with amusement.
She leaned forward slightly, teasing.
"Maybe you don't remember talking to her on the phone?" she reminded him.
Reed's brows drew together thoughtfully. His hand found her waist again, fingers brushing over her lightly as she sat on the table.
"I remember talking to her on the phone," he said, his smile spreading, "but I don't know if she recognized me." His eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. "So... you talked to her about me a lot?"
"Of course," Sage replied dreamily, her cheeks warming. Then, as if realizing her own admission, she quickly added, "No."
Reed chuckled, his voice low and knowing.
"I believe the first reply."
Sage playfully rolled her eyes, a small smirk tugging at her lips.
"If I had known Willow was working here for the last two years, I would have seen her and talked to her. She and Alder would probably be together by now because I believe she worked with you knowing you're friends with Alder. That way she could always see Alder... and maybe me."
"You?" Reed echoed, one brow raised in mock disbelief.
"I'm once her best friend. Can't I make myself happy?" Sage replied with an exaggerated pout, her eyes twinkling.
Reed laughed softly and leaned forward.
"Of course you can. Enough about Willow and Alder—when do we tell your brothers about... us?" he asked, his tone shifting to something more serious.
Sage hesitated, chewing her lower lip nervously. But Reed's steady gaze held her in place, waiting.
"Let's just wait for Alder and Willow to get back together," Sage suggested carefully. "Then we can talk to Alder when he's happy. And maybe Alder can talk to Leif for us. Then... we'll all talk to my mom."
Reed's eyes darkened slightly with frustration.
"We've been together for a year and some months now. Still, you don't want to talk to Alder about us? I believe if he found out from someone else, he'd be very pissed."
"It's not that I don't want to introduce you," Sage said softly. She reached out, cupping his cheeks between her palms. "I just want to do it at the right time... Please, let's just wait a little more."
Reed exhaled heavily, sinking back into his chair, his gaze still fixed on her.
"Okay," he replied reluctantly.
"Stop acting this way," Sage whispered, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"How am I acting? Do you think it's enjoyable hiding my woman? I want to be with you publicly—not just in private," Reed said, his voice tinged with longing.
"I'm sorry," Sage murmured. Slipping off the desk, she eased herself back onto his lap, her arms winding around his neck once more. "I promise, this time... after Willow and Alder settle their differences, we'll talk to Alder."
Reed gave her a mock frown.
"Hope after they settle, you won't say: 'Let them have their first child.' Or... 'After their first child is five years old, then let's talk to them.'" he teased.
Sage burst into laughter, her head tilting back as joy lit up her features.
"I can't wait for that long, either. I want to start a family with you," she said seriously, her gaze locking with his.
"Really?" Reed asked, his smile returning, his eyes softening.
Sage nodded with a radiant smile.
"Then let's start preparing for that family now," Reed said with a playful glint, suddenly tickling her sides.
"Get your hands off me, you monster!" Sage squealed, laughter spilling from her lips as they playfully wrestled, their laughter filling the office.
---
Sage's mind drifted back to the night it all began, a tender smile curling her lips...
---
Flashback
A year and some months ago, Sage attended a business party on behalf of the company. She moved gracefully through the crowd, engaging with business partners and sipping her drink. But her gaze caught on Reed across the room—surrounded by laughing ladies.
"Such a flirt," she muttered under her breath.
Then she noticed something odd. A woman approached Reed with a glass of whiskey, subtly slipping something into the drink. Sage's brows furrowed. Alarm bells rang in her mind. When the drink was handed to Reed, she quietly excused herself from her conversation, her eyes locked on him.
Reed, ever the gentleman, drank the whiskey out of courtesy. Unbeknownst to him, the Aphrodite lacing the drink worked quickly. He was never good with alcohol to begin with. Stumbling slightly, he excused himself from the crowd and headed upstairs to the room he had booked.
Sage followed silently, her heels making barely a sound on the carpeted stairs.
The woman who had drugged Reed—a waitress looking to climb the social ladder—walked ahead, eyes gleaming with intent.
Sage quickened her pace and tapped the woman's shoulder.
"Can you get me a cup of water?" she asked politely.
"Yes, ma'am," the waitress replied, masking her frustration with a forced smile. With no choice but to obey, she hurried off after taking note of Alder room.
Sage wasted no time. She knocked on Reed's door, calling softly,
"Reed? Are you oka—"
Before she could finish, the door swung open and a disheveled Reed pulled her inside, crashing his lips onto hers.
Reed, stripped down to his boxers, was lost to reason. But to his surprise, her lips responded with equal passion. The fire between them ignited instantly.
He broke the kiss, his breath ragged.
"Please... help me," he pleaded.
Sage gazed into his eyes, her heart warring with reason. She couldn't walk away. She wouldn't let anyone take advantage of him—not while she loved him this much.
Nodding, her resolve firmed. But before she could speak, Reed's lips captured hers again—this time more fiercely, more desperate.
He led her to the bed, their kiss never breaking, their bodies moving in perfect sync. They surrendered to the passion that had simmered beneath the surface for so long.
---
The next morning
Sage awoke to an empty bed, panic briefly seizing her chest. Grabbing the duvet, she wrapped it around herself just as Reed emerged from the bathroom, hair damp, a towel around his waist.
The sight of him made her heart race. Without thinking, she ran into his arms, burying her face in his chest.
Startled, Reed held her awkwardly.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly.
She nodded and slipped away to the bathroom. When she returned, fully dressed, Reed stood waiting.
"Let's talk," he said as soon as she stepped out.
She nodded, unable to find her voice.
"I'm so sorry about last night," Reed began. "And I promise—I'll take responsibility for you."
Sage swallowed hard, her heart aching.
"Are you taking responsibility because you like me... or because you slept with me?" she asked, her voice small.
Reed didn't answer immediately.
"If you're only doing this because of last night... you don't have to," Sage said with a sad smile. "We're both adults. It's nothing. And don't worry... I won't tell Alder."
She turned to leave, her shoulders tense.
But Reed caught her hand.
"If I tell you... I want to take responsibility because I love you—will you stay?"
Sage exhaled deeply, her heart pounding. But doubt clouded her mind.
"You don't need to cajole me. I understand... you really don't need to take responsibility for me," she whispered.
And with that, she left—Reed standing behind her, watching her silhouette disappear with longing in his eyes.