Page 100 of Claimed By The Other Brother

"If you need anything," I say instead.

"I'm fine. Thank you."

She walks past me, and I let her go. But the image of her standing in that hallway, looking defeated, stays with me the rest of theafternoon.

DAY 60

I'm heading to another meeting when I pass Scarlett's office. The door is open, and I glance in out of habit.

Brad is sitting on the edge of her desk, gesturing animatedly as he tells some story. Scarlett is in her chair, leaning back, smiling wide.

"—and then he just stood there, completely frozen," Brad says, laughing.

Scarlett covers her mouth, trying not to laugh too loudly.

"No, he didn't."

"I swear. Like a deer in headlights. It was the most awkward thing I've ever seen."

She laughs again, the same open, genuine sound I heard in the kitchen with Mike. I keep walking, but irritation flares hot in my chest.

Why is Brad in there? What's so funny? Why does she look so relaxed with him when she's always so guarded with me?

I make it to the conference room and force myself to focus on the meeting. But the image of Scarlett laughing in her office, Brad sitting too close, stays lodged in my mind.

DAY 75

The team decides on a Friday happy hour at a barnear the office. I normally skip these, but Karen specifically asked me to make an appearance, so here I am.

The bar is crowded, music loud, the team scattered in groups. I order a whiskey and find a spot where I can observe without being in the thick of things.

Scarlett is across the room with Daniel and John. She's wearing a dress instead of her usual work attire—dark green, fitted, hitting just above the knee. Her hair is down.

She looks incredible.

Daniel says something, and she laughs, touching his arm as she responds. John leans in to add something, and she turns to him, animated and engaged. I grip my glass harder. She's relaxed here. Open. The version of herself I only catch glimpses of in our late-night sessions. Melanie appears beside me.

"You're lurking."

"I'm observing."

"You're glaring at Daniel like he personally offended you." She sips her wine.

"Scarlett's doing a great job, by the way. The team loves her."

"I can see that."

Melanie follows my gaze.

"She's good with people. Makes everyone feel valued."

Across the room, Scarlett glances in my direction. Our eyes meet for a brief second before she looks away, turning her attention back to Daniel.

"I should get going," I tellMelanie.

"You just got here."

"Early morning tomorrow."