It’s meant to be a joke, but a line forms between her brows, deepening her frown. “I am professional.”
“I didn’t mean it like—” Now, I’m apologizing. I bite my tongue and backtrack. “Did you have a good day?”
“I did,” she says and rises.
A stupid part of me thinks she’s coming over but then she picks up her purse and starts to fit her phone and stationery into it.
She’s leaving? Crap, um… “Have dinner with me.”
Her eyes connect with mine. Whatever she sees makes her lips turn down. “I’m sorry, I can’t.”
My eyebrows lift. I thought for sure she’d like to go out with me. After last night, seeing the way she cared, I hoped—
Fuck it. I shouldn’t have. Still, her mood can’t be my fault, right? I couldn’t have fucked up between last night and today. I wrack my brain. Nothing I’ve done jumps out as wrong.
Purse all packed up, she slides out of the space between her chair and the table, and then she’s headed my way. For the door, no doubt.
I stand to the side, watching her. She throws her gaze sideways, somehow more interested in the glass walls than me.
My heart fists in my chest. I can’t let her leave like this.
She’s passing by me when I reach out a hand. She sucks in a breath and scoots away from my touch as though my hand is on fire.
Our eyes meet and I have no doubt my look betrays my shock. She shakes her head in a non-answer, looking deeply hurt, then she leaves.
What the actual fuck?
My heartbeat is all wrong as I eventually pull myself together and follow her out. I spy the tail of her dress as she slips into the elevator. The doors pull close with a finality I hate.
Tomorrow, I’ll get down to the bottom of this, whatever it is.
Like the previous day, I don’t see Maddie in the morning. She’s meant to report to me. I don’t want to pull the boss card, but she leaves me no choice.
Plus, my poor sleep last night brought on by wondering what was wrong with her has made me cranky.
I forgo using the intercom to ask her to come into my office. A walk will help clear my head before I speak to her in my current state and say something I shouldn’t.
I stop by Julia’s desk. “Where’s Maddie?”
Julia’s eyes shift suspiciously. “She’s occupied. I can send her to you once she’s available.”
“She’s my assistant,” I bite out. “What is she occupied with that doesn’t have to do with the work I’ve assigned her?”
Her gaze drops to the polished desk surface. “She’s downstairs.”
Why is she being weird?
“What is she doing downstairs?” Julia purses her lips. I crane my neck, considering. “Who’s she with?”
Her face shoots up. “I didn’t say a name, did I?”
“Well, I’m asking for one.”
She swallows. “She’s with her ex,” she admits quietly. “He showed up and asked to see her.”
My stomach clenches. Is this the cheating ex? The one who hurt her so bad she’d get physical with a stranger to forget him?
I should go back to my office, focus on anything but Maddie. But I’m a glutton for punishment. I head for the elevator instead.
