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archer
Present day - Late November
I GLANCED AT the time in the corner of my computer screen to see it was closing in on seven p.m. The rest of the office had long since gone home, but my workload was overflowing, and as CEO of CTA— Carrington Talent Agency—I didn’t have the luxury of clocking in and out. I wished someone had told me that fun fact when I decided to branch out on my own. Between managing talent and contracts and then heading up the Elysium, it was…a lot. Probably too much, but for the moment, I could handle it. It wasn’t like I had other commitments outside of work, especially with Serena having moved out a few weeks ago.
It was just me, my work, and I.
Fuck, that was depressing. But it kept me too busy to think about it much, which was another reason I kept piling on more responsibilities.
There was a knock on my door, and when my assistant, Sasha, poked her head inside, I frowned.
“I thought you’d gone home already. It’s late.”
“You know I wouldn’t leave you with appointments still lined up. Your last one is here now.”
My fingers stilled on the keyboard. “Another one? With who?” I hadn’t bothered to check my schedule, but I’d assumed I hadn’t been crazy enough to book anything late on a Friday.
Apparently not.
“Preston Abernathy. Would you like me to send him in now or have him wait?”
I didn’t hear anything she said after the first two words because every fiber in my body froze.Fuck. I couldn’t meet with Preston. Not here. Not alone. I’d only seen him in passing or with Serena since the night of the charity ball, when I’d lost my ever–loving mind.
Shit, shit, shit.What the hell was he doing here? And how could I get rid of him without making it too obvious?
“Mr. Carrington?” Sasha’s brow furrowed, and I forced myself to shake off my unease and give her a tight smile.
“Did he say what he needed? Maybe it’s something you can take care of, since I’m swamped.”
“Actually, sir, you scheduled this appointment a while back. Regarding the Elysium’s Winter Ball.” When I inwardly cursed myself, her frown deepened. “Should I reschedule?”
“Yes. No.”Fuck.What were the odds he’d forgotten about that night? I still had no good explanation for what had come over me. Christ, just thinking about kissing my daughter’s boyfriend now made me cringe, even as my traitorous body heated at the memory.
Which was why I’d shut down all thoughts regarding Preston in the weeks since. Nothing good could come from remembering his lips on mine?—
I rubbed my forehead, squeezing my eyes shut, and sighed. Despite this not being a good idea—at all—I couldn’t deny I needed the help for the Winter Ball. And he was already here…
“Send him in,” I said, before I could change my mind.
“Will do. Is there anything else you need before I go?”
My head jerked up. “You’re leaving?”
“I’ve got dinner plans with Harvey.” She smiled at the mention of her husband, but then it dimmed a little. “Unless you need me to stay?”
“No, no, of course not. I appreciate your working late, but go enjoy the weekend.”
She nodded but hesitated in the doorway. “Are you sure?”
I tried to ignore the panic in my chest and forced a smile. “Yes, now go. And tell Harvey I said hello.”
“Thank you. Don’t work too late.”
“No promises.”
As she left to go get Preston, I saved the file I’d been working on and ran my sweaty palms over the top of my tailored pants.
God, get it together. You’re the adult here.
