i P

hotel's revolving glass doors when a lo

the curb, cutting off my path toward the subway entrance

t with no tie, looking every bit the relaxed executive assistant, t

sharp hazel eyes swept over the massive black hoodie switching against m

ne of the sweatshirt, pulling it tight against

e legs and a man's gym wear? You want TMZ getting

ht from my face. I swallowed my pride, walked around

ed of rich leather and fresh espresso. Without a word, Duncan p

latte. N

ound the warm cardboard

ic of Seventh Avenue. He tapped his fingers rhythmically agai

d smoothly. "Some people seemed pretty atta

ffee. "I had too much to drink

id, the corner of h

orty-Second Street, the bright red s

stop here

, then back at me. "We're

n the glass storefront. "I need some extra-strength

nds. He didn't challenge the excuse. He pulled t

easy walk from here.

stood on the sidewalk and waited until the black Defender disappeared

pushed through t

eart hammering against my ribs like a trapped bird.

slapped a twenty-dollar bill on the counter. Te

h the foil backing. I didn't have water. Without any water, I

sical discomfort finally anchored my spiraling mind. I crumpled the empty box

wiped clean. Nothing happen

rubber flooring hit me like a familiar wall. My thighs still ached with a dull throb from last night, making my stride sli

ment and uniform design department was housed. I pushed open the frosted glass d

blonde hair pinned in a sleek, competitive bun. She stopped dead i

rry across the open-plan office. "Where did you wake up? Tha

her came into the city last night. I crashed on his

learly didn't buy the lie, b

estroom. Axel is on a rampage. He's picking the final

technical sportswear showcase in Europe. For an underpaid, namel

ds-up," I said, sid

lled my makeup bag from my purse, grabbed my heavy-coverage concealer, and began dabb

my laptop to pull up the 3D render fil

one hundred percent, my desk pho

m right now," our design director, Axel, barked into the receiv

nst the desk. I glanced down at the glowing screen

ft the lounge early. I'm worried sick. L

ing smirk to