Page 63 of Everything She Wanted

20. Golden

I take a seat at my desk and pull out my compact to peek at my reflection. My long hair is up in a sleek high ponytail and I’m wearing a flowy chiffon blouse with a high neck and long ruffly sleeves. I’ve tucked it into grey high-waisted dress pants. It’s fancier than what I would normally wear to the office, but it’s the only thing I have that covers the hickey. It was bad yesterday, but it’s even more noticeable today.

I tuck my compact away back in my drawer and take a deep cleansing breath just as Rachel taught me.

I have to push yesterday from my mind, and more importantly I have to stay away from him. It will be a challenge considering he’s sitting only a few metres away from me in his office next door. There’s also the fact that I have to see him for forty-plus hours a week, but it has to be done. Anything is possible, right?

This must be what the motivational speakers are talking about: not doing illicit things with sexy-AF men you work with because if anyone finds it out it will destroy your relationship and quite possibly your career.

Shortly after I log in and start checking the emails that I never got around to last night, there’s a light knock at my open door.

“Hey.”

Nick is standing there in a light taupe cashmere sweater with off-white pants. His sleeves are rolled up just enough to show off his tanned forearms and expensive watch.

I try to slow down my racing heart.

Be professional.

“Did you see that email from Henrik?” he asks.

My heart rate accelerates and immediately my thoughts drift to yesterday. Did Henrik find out? It’s ridiculous, but of course my mind goes there.

“Just logged in.”

He steps inside my office. “He emailed Tom singing our praises.”

“That’s great,” I manage, genuinely pleased and of course relieved. This is about the pitch, not what followed.

“Tom responded back and he’s already looking into more opportunities for us.”

Right. Us. Together, alone, pitching.

“Wonderful.” I plaster a smile on my face.

“Just wanted to let you know, and to ask if you want to get coffee.” His eyes flick to my neck and I ignore the sensation that comes up as I think about his mouth there.

I tug at the top of my neckline and then smooth my hand over my ponytail.

“I’m taking a longer lunch today so I’d better not.” I should add that I’m meeting my boyfriend and soon-to-be mother-in-law, but I don’t.

“I can grab you something,” he offers.

I know I have to limit interactions with him, even though I don’t want to. And I obviously really want an extra-sweet matcha latte, but I need to stop giving in to temptation.

“I’m good actually.”

He nods, but is that a flash of disappointment? I need to stop overanalyzing his every move.

“I better get back to it, but thanks.”

He shoots me a smile and leaves, and only then do I get up, slide my office door closed, and sink back into my chair.

Trying to be professional around Nick feels like work, but everything else with him? It comes so naturally.

We wait outside the jeweller’s door and I’m about to hit the buzzer when Eshaan stops me.

He takes my hand and kisses it, and the beard he just started growing for the ceremony scratches my skin.