Page 16 of Exchange of Heart

Forty minutes later, amongst the black leather couch and deep Jarrah furniture of Corey’s apartment, I straightened my expensive, black jacket in the mirror.

‘Corey Flemmington. Grade A jackass and arrogant by nature.’ I extended my hand to my reflection.

‘You remember what I told you?’ He rolled my brown eyes.

‘Yeah, yeah. The meeting will be fine.’

Corey let out a groan with my soft voice, insinuating his confidence in me was so low, it provided the ceiling in Hell.

‘Give me your phone so I can put my number in it, and meet me back here straight after work,’ he insisted.

I handed over my phone. ‘Unless I’m too busy swinging my new manhood around.’

Was that how it would feel? Like I’d trapped a pendulum in my pants to rock back and forth with each step? When I’d pulled my underwear up, I’d had no idea where to place his penis. In the end, I’d settled on pointing it up.

‘Nora, I mean it, don’t—’

‘Of course I’ll be here straight after work. I’ve woken up a six-foot muscle-man.’ I snatched my phone once he’d saved his number and sent him a message so he’d have mine, too.

Thankfully, I knew exactly the book to figure this out. Back to Your Roots on the third shelf of my bookcase would suggest the perfect way to find ourselves again.

Corey gave one quick nod and reached forward with the arm I already missed being attached to me. He dropped it before I could feel the soft skin of my old fingers.

I missed me.

CHAPTER SIX

Nora

‘Corey, where ya been? They’re already in the conference room.’

If I hadn’t accidentally gotten out of the lift at level eight out of habit, I might have made it on time. I adjusted the blue glasses I’d worn despite Corey’s scowl and handed my brown leather briefcase to the man who also wore a pair. I’d been so hellbent on making sure Corey knew everything about my work, I’d forgotten to ask about his. Assuming this guy was his assistant was a guess I hoped would pay off, though I was disappointed in myself for presumptuously assuming his assistant was female all this time.

‘Pop this in my office, would you?’

Thankfully, he took the briefcase from my hand without hesitation, and I turned left to the large windows I assumed housed the conference room. I twisted back to watch the man walk into my office so I could make a mental note of it. Back right, second door from the corner. Easy. If Corey could wobble into the Dreyton lobby like a baby deer, I could stride into the meeting like a sheep in wolf’s clothing. Afterwards, I planned to scramble inside those four walls and wait the day out in panicked privacy.

I pushed open the doors of the conference room and joined the already-crowded table. All the hushed whispers fell to silence as every pair of eyes faced me.

‘Can we help you, Mr Flemmington?’ a blonde lady asked.

‘I’m here for the meeting.’ I gave them a nod and settled into my chair.

‘Um, I think they’re expecting you next door.’

My furrowed brows and vacant eyes must have conveyed my confusion, because someone else spoke through the silence.

‘We don’t really need any financial help for Simon’s farewell party. We’re all putting in for it.’

Shit. I’d joined some party-planning meeting.

I cleared my throat and stood. ‘No worries. Just thought I’d stop in to check.’

I towered over the table like a giant, my presence more than the tiny square inch I normally took up. Overbearing, intimidating, ridiculous. I hammered my fist onto the table like a gavel for reasons I’ll never know and left the room. Instead of finding the conference room next door on the left, I turned into a curry-infused staffroom.

Shit. Wrong place, again.

I raced back past the large windows, and everyone turned to watch my run of shame as my jacket flapped behind me.