Page 25 of Unleashed

I close my eyes, taking a deep breath as I stab two fingers into my belly, trying to physically force away the strange sensation swirling around inside.

The sound of something hitting the surface of my desk has me sitting up straight, sucking in a sharp breath of surprise.

Trevor is sitting on the edge of my desk, my forgotten pen between the two of us. His smile makes it seem like I’ve done something that makes him very happy. “I thought about stealing it, but figured you might try to murder me.”

9

Trevor

Ifelt like Maren might be softening to me—just a little—during the interviews. I was a little surprised when she actually showed up. Took it as a good sign. Thought maybe we might be finding our way toward a truce of sorts.

One that might result in finding my way under the cute little skirt she’s got on.

But then she stormed out, pissed off at me over something. And for the life of me, I can’t figure out what in the hell it is.

Maren snatches the pen from her desk like she thinks I’m going to try to steal it again. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” I study her face as she pretends to get to work, spine straight, chin lifted. I know what angry Maren looks like. I see it on a real regular fucking basis.

What I’m looking at now, isn’t angry Maren.

Is it possible I hurt her feelings somehow?

“Maren, can you—” Brooke comes out of her office, stopping short when she sees me. Her eyes move between Maren and me, like she’s assessing the situation.

And since I’d rather she not do that, I stand, smoothing the front of my jacket. “Maren forgot her pen in the conference room.”

I was hoping to find out what the fuck happened, but not if it results in Brooke getting suspicious there’s something going on between us. Explaining to my sister-in-law that her best friend and I fucked in her bathroom on her wedding day would probably make family dinner night awkward.

“Thank you for your help with the interviews. Let me know who you think would be the best fit for your former position.” I angle a brow when Maren’s narrowed eyes snap to my face. “Unless you didn’t like any of the applicants. In which case, I can arrange more interviews.”

“It seemed like you found someone perfect for the position.” Maren snaps the word out like an accusation.

Holy shit. Maybe they are.

If Brooke wasn’t watching our whole exchange, I’d dig deeper. See if I could pull a little more from the tiny woman glaring at me as hard as she ever has. But attempting to decipher if it’s jealousy making my little hellcat spit fire? That’s something I’d prefer to do without an audience.

Especially one that will immediately report to my brother.

Instead of prodding her until she snaps out the truth, I tuck my hand into a pocket, hoping I look more indifferent than I feel. “I think we can all agree that what I think isn’t always as correct as I wish it was.”

Maren’s brows pinch, like my response has thrown her off. Good. It’s time for her to see I’m not as big of an asshole as she’d like to think I am.

Not to her anyway.

I turn, leaving her staring at me in confusion so I can get back to my day.

And back to the privacy of my office so I can make sure her little home is still safe and sound.

I quickly check in with Ruth, making sure HR is working on the offers for everyone who came in today—including the blonde I believe may have been the reason for Maren’s abrupt departure. I’m not hiring her to be a dick or to instigate Maren. If she wasn’t a great prospective employee, I’d pass on her. But this company always comes first. Before friends. Before relationships. Before me.

That handled, I shut myself in my office and pull up my current guilty pleasure, zooming in and out on the feeds displaying Maren’s trailer. I go through the recording, watching everything that’s happened since I last logged in.

The mail was delivered. The neighbor ordered food. Some guy walked his dog past.

I rest one finger on the screen of my phone, sliding it from one side to the other as I study him, frowning at the way he seems to look at Maren’s trailer the whole time he walks past.

All four times.