Page 119 of Love In Hiding

She slid her laptop toward him. “I look pretty good there, don’t you think?” he asked.

Noelle shrank back in confusion. He threw her off.

He never joked like that. Ever.

Everything he did in this office was always professional. Maybe even boring in some people’s eyes.

London made him realize that.

That being freer with his emotions didn’t mean he didn’t take his job seriously.

It didn’t mean he still wouldn’t be respected.

“You do,” Noelle said slowly. “But you and London look a lot cozier there than coworkers.”

“Because we are,” he said and dropped his head back to his email.

“Like, you’re dating?” Noelle asked, her voice rising.

He flicked his gaze back up. “I wasn’t aware my personal life was a concern in this office to anyone.”

“I’m sure it will be to Braylon and West. It’s their cousin. We know that’s why their company was formed.”

Was she threatening him? That was rich.

He looked toward the door that was still closed. Noelle was earlier than normal. He was here trying to get some work done before the meeting and only came in because maintenance was working in his office replacing a light.

“That isn’t why their company was formed. I’m not surewhere you get your information from or why you’re judgmental about those things.”

Noelle’s back straightened. “I’m just honest.”

“No. You’re a lot more than that. And not in a good way. Your jealousy isn’t a good look in this office. For you, me, or the company.”

“I’m not jealous of anyone,” Noelle said, damn close to a shout. “I’m stating a fact. They can get away with anything because of who they are and now it’s because London is dating you. That’s why you’ve been so harsh with me. If I’d known you were dating, I wouldn’t have said half of what I have about her. But you never let on. You never told me. You let me embarrass myself. That’s a shitty boss if you ask me.”

Was Noelle right?

He didn’t think so.

“You did that yourself. More than once you’d start saying negative things toward London and I’d correct you. I’d tell you to look at the bigger picture and when you wouldn’t, I’d tell you to just do your job.”

“I’m not sure why this has to be turned around on me. And there is no way Braylon or West knows this. Unless that is why everything is going so smoothly. Because of your relationship with their cousin.”

He wanted to lean back and cross his arms, but he didn’t.

She wasn’t getting the rise out of him she hoped.

But he was damn well going to defend the woman he loved and the career he had worked so hard for.

“Braylon and his entire family are aware of my relationship with London and have been for some time. Not that it’s any concern of yours. As for London’s ability to do her job, she’s great at what she does. Maybe if you opened your eyes some more, you’d see how a true professional acts.”

Noelle laughed. “Now I know you’re joking. London is the least professional person I know.”

“That’s wrong,” he said. “You have your opinion of her and that is your right, but what she has and you lack is her awareness ability. And the fact that when she’s wrong, she’ll own up to it. Being humble goes a long way. And it’s something you could learn from.”

The door opened and Braylon came in, looked between the two of them, and asked, “Everything okay?”

“Yes. Noelle was admiring the pictures of me and London on Saturday night. I was explaining why my girlfriend’s company was doing so well and things Noelle could benefit from in her own professional career.”