I make my way to my conference room slash shared office with three other co-workers. They’re in and we exchange quick greetings before I take my seat and start work.
But I’m unable to keep my head on work. Last night is still heavy on my mind. And I thought to find Julia early today so she catches me up on the missing pieces of the Easton puzzle.
It can’t be a coincidence the way Chance shut down last night. Something must have happened—something that could switch his moods so suddenly. Something involving his mom.
I sift through my memories. I was too nervous to study the photos on the mantle the day Baxter took me on the tour of their dad’s home. There must have been a woman—their mom—and I missed it.
Ugh.
Unable to sit still, I shut my laptop and go in search of Julia again. She’s not at her desk so I walk up and down the floor.
Luckily, I catch her on her way out of the CFO’s office. She’s grumbling under her breath about bosses and their stressful demands.
“Hey.”
“Oh, hey, Maddie.” She turns to me with a small smile. “What’s up?”
I hurry to keep up with her long strides. “I have some questions but it looks like you don’t have the time.”
She smiles tightly and waves the stack of papers in her hands. “Not really.”
“Well, then. I think my questions about Chance just have to wait.”
She halts and spins to face me. “Personal questions?”
I bite back my smile, knowing I’ve caught her attention. “Yep.”
“Come on.” She pulls me into an office and shuts the door behind us.
“Whose office is this?” I stagger to a stop.
“The head of sales.”
My eyes widen. I’ve had a run-in with the woman and she’s stern. I don’t want to be caught dead in her office. “Julia, not here! She’ll—”
“Don’t worry.” She waves her hand carelessly. “She always has ten minutes of gossiping time with the CFO every morning. I left her in his office. She won’t be here anytime soon.”
“If you say so.” I glance at the door. “I just think, what if she shows up?”
“Maddie, spill your questions. If you don’t we’ll be caught for real.”
“Fine.” I draw closer to Julia and lean in. “I don’t want to be nosy but—”
“You’re about to be, got it!” Julia nods with an encouraging smile.
“Okay. So last night I was talking with Chance…”
“Was this after everyone left the building and it was just the two of you?”
“Julia.” I slap her arm. “Focus.”
“What?” She shrugs with a big grin. “I’ve had my suspicions. So it’s a simple yes or no.”
“I have no idea what you’re referring to.”
“Come on.” She wiggles her brows. “After work, quiet building, you’re all alone, inhibitions are low…”
“Nothing happened,” I say firmly, because last night, it didn’t.
