n't s

in disaster. I imagined walking into the office and him being there. I imagined the look on his face when he saw me. I imagined everyone somehow kn

to the bathroom and stared at my reflection. Red eyes from no sleep. My braids needed redoing

t this job because you earned it. Whatever happened over the weekend is a mistak

n did not lo

. Black trousers, a fitted burgundy blouse, and the only pair of heels I owned that didn't make m

er eating toast when I came out. She looked

'm walking to

ur head high. You are going to be professional, calm, and amazing. If he's there, you treat him like any other bo

I need th

is city has ever seen one day, and this job is the first step.

ands and nodded.

ht. Now go befo

Manhattan, a tower of glass and steel that stretched so high into the sky it looked like it was trying to tou

at said "rich people work here." I gave my name at the front desk and was direct

warm brown skin and a bright smile

t's

and getting you settled in." She shook my hand with both of hers and squ

. "Mr Williams...

s son is out of town." She started walking and gestured for me to follow. "The

t he

hich made my heart ache because it was full of massive screens displaying building plans and 3D models of hotel interior

hat," she pointed to the office behind me, "is where Xander works. Your main job is to keep his schedule runnin

was a miracle because my heart was beatin

the clock. He barely eats if you don't remind him. He hates small talk, doesn't like surprises, and if you see him loosen h

ot

mall glass of cold water on the side. Have it on his desk

k coffee. Water on the

ng to work well together. Let me go check if he's out o

mouth, the way Maya had taught me during my panic attacks in college. This was fine. Everything was fine. M

floated across the offic

ice. Mirabel pushed open the glass door and stepped inside, and I followed her because turn

your new executive ass

ted m

city below. He wore a charcoal grey suit that fit like it was sewn onto his body, and his should

was

chapel, the penthouse. The man whose ring I had worn on my finger less than forty-eight hours ago.

five feet in front of

at me the way you'd look at a stranger, calm and professional, but hi

olled and nothing like the warm, loose voice that had whispe

out. Mirabel looked between us, he

before?" she asked

quickly. Too qui

voice. "N

uainted. Lara, you'll be sitting right outside, so if you need anything, just

ed was so heavy it coul

rief second, the mask slipped and I saw it; the same shock, the same di

," I

pressed his fingertips