“No. That’s not it.” I don’t know why I told him the truth. It wasn’t like it was any of his business.
“Then what is it, Elise? I think I’ve been more than forgiving of you for putting me in that fucking place and now you’re telling me you can’t give me another chance?” His tone continued to grow darker.
“You put yourself in there asshole and your three minutes are up.” I announced before pulling the phone away from my ear.
“I’m going to see you again,” he promised, voice dropping to a sinister whisper. “Sooner than you think. And when I do, when I finally get you alone, you won’t be able to run.”
I slammed my finger down on the end button before he could think to say anything else.
My heart pounded, but I kept my hand steady. He didn’t deserve my fear. Not anymore.
The coffee machine beeped, and just as I reached for the pot, Melissa’s head popped into the room.
“Elise? Mr. Edge is looking for you. He wants to see you now.” Her voice was casual, but her eyes flicked with concern. “Are you okay?”
I forced a tight smile. “Yeah, just desperately in need of some caffeine.” I joked. “And thanks for telling me. I'll be right there.”
I turned the machine off before I left the breakroom and headed for Nathan’s office. I knocked once before letting myself inside, where Nathan was seated behind his desk, his attention on his phone. When he looked up and saw me, his expression shifted instantly.
Blue eyes narrowed with concern. “What’s the matter?”
There it was again. That unsettling ability of his to read me better than I wanted him to.
“I’m okay,” I lied with a smile. “Just still recovering from too much sangria and not enough self-control from my girls night in last night.”
Nathan’s expression didn’t change. “Try again.” I could practically hear the gears turning.
“I’m fine,” I tried again. “Promise.”
He didn’t believe me, but he let it go.
“I need you at the Fire & Ice Awards this year,” Nathan said instead, blissfully changing the subject. “You’ll be attending as my date.”
I blinked. “Me?”
“The award show,” he clarified, like I’d somehow misheard. “It's Friday night.”
“You usually bring whatever actress-slash-lingerie model you’re sleeping with at the time,” I said before I could stop myself.
Nathan tilted his head, amused. “Didn’t realize you were keeping track.”
“I have eyes. And a memory.”
He smirked. “Well, this year I’m bringing you.”
“Why?”
His brow lifted. “You’re my assistant.”
“I’ve been your assistant for three years and you’ve never brought me before.”
Nathan shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal then pulled out his wallet, took out his black Amex card and slid it across the desk toward me. “Use this to buy something to wear.”
“Oh no, that’s not necessary. I can buy my own dress for the occasion.”
“I know you can, but I want to do this.”
I picked up the card. “What’s my limit?”
