ears

ath, but she always got on my nerves in the morning-especially since she was my ride to work. Despite living in New York for three y

ponse-a very typical Amerie comeback if there ever was one. I liked to be at least an hour early to work so I cou

Cambridge professor offered to recommend me to a friend who owned an interior design company, I jumped on the opportunity. On my first day at Claude's Staging

afford to DoorDash breakfast, and don't even try denying it. Everyon

rumors with a response. And I actually like

land' type, but the one that says 'I come from money.' You walk, talk, and have t

ssants with strawberries every morning. And don't forget the fact that you swe

and can afford breakfast. But I really do love t

ove the chef who makes them every

but because, due to my previous lack of friends, I hadn't really experienced talkin

ointedly, trying to keep a strai

screaming his name," she teased

aniel and I had hooked up after an office party last month, and Amerie had not let me live it down ever since. It had been painfully boring, and I regretted it imm

as I was about to settle in and get ready to tackle today's workload, the inter

of my coworkers, Doug, said, pra

Apparently, she wasn't as quiet as she thought, because someone in front of us said out

merie turned to me. "Ar

ed no one in particular. God, cou

s with an 'A,'" a

right?" Do

n," I whispered, causing everyon

out of here," I

er into the conference room in steps that didn't feel like my own as our CEO,

ffice pick-me from the architecture division, whispered. I

Group decided to partner with us, it would catapult our small interior design and architecture firm to new heights. Rosier Group owned the renowned Lebed Hotels and multiple clubs, restaurants, and

e branch in New York and would love for us to design the apartments his company just acquired." She

meeting ended, I scurried out of the conference room and took the stairs down to my cubicle, not wanting to wait fo

he here, what is he doing here?] I muttered in a mix of French and Engli

ked, using that insufferable nic

all me that," I replied, tr

e times and you didn't answer,"

les," I said, gesturing to my forehead, trying

and we both laughed. But the look in her eyes said she'd bring th

down, someone said out loud, "He's so

with legs, Mira," Kate

ing hot-with those dreamy eyes and white-blond

so lean and muscular. I'm pretty sure I saw a t

the talk of how hot he looked droned on. It wa

looked up to find our boss, Claude, stan

nounced. I tuned her out, barely listening as she listed the names of those who would be working on the project. As much as I loathed him,

d her approach to things a bit lazy and average at best. Just as Claude was about to congratulate the selected team members, she was tapped on the

Group has specially requested that y

ed me excitedly, forgetting the standar

llowed by his assistant and then, finally, him. I can s

roud of you!" Amerie

say, forci

xcited?" she asks, con

n shock," I lie through my teeth. I can see clearly that she

Missy," she says with finality. "And don't even think

h, I head down to the food court to get something to

p," he says with a smile. "I m

Daniel is perfect and cute; I gues

a shadow cast over me. He may have grown a foot or more taller

l of his. His accent was always the perfect blend of Queen's English

nts, you know," Daniel sputters, cl

hose ingredients

imitri," I say to Daniel. "

right hand to his other and extending his hand to shake Anton's. A gesture that clea

ss of this moment, I say, "I look f

eally. I could teach you sometime,"

eply, as he hugs me and wal

pick 'em, Swan, don't you?"

him and stare.

asks, clea

me," I say, turn

, reaching for my hands. I snatch the

I Odette. I am Miss Falcone, a simple employee of yours, unfortunately," I say without emotion, s

ion heartbeats, just as he opens