Page 22 of Spiral Lies

He stares at me for a long moment and then sighs. "I believe Jake's assistant might be willing to make the switch," he says. "They have…issues."

"What kind of issues?" I demand. If Jake Alseppi, the hockey coach, is a problem, he won't be Seraphina's problem.

"Ah, I'm not at liberty to discuss."

"She isn't working for him if he's a dick to his assistant."

"Stone." Seraphina places her hand on my arm. "It's fine. I like Jake. He and Miriam just don't get along very well."

"Why the fuck not?"

I do not like the way both Seraphina and Hector hesitate.

"Tell me," I growl.

"Miriam has opinions," Hector finally says. "And no problem voicing them."

Seraphina grins up at me. "She's probably going to want to strangle you with your whistle a lot."

"Jesus Christ," I sigh. If the woman kills me, it'll probably be the least I deserve, but fuck it. If it means Seraphina still has a job, I'll suffer through with a goddamn smile on my face. "Ask her to switch."

"You're sure?" Hector arches a brow. "I can ask the other assistants."

"The odds of anyone else in this building being willing to put up with me are slim to none, and you know it," I mutter. "If Miriam is willing, make the switch. If she kills me, so be it."

"It's your funeral," Hector says, shaking his head. "I'll let you know as soon as I talk to her and Jake."

"Thank you."

I offer Seraphina a hand, pulling her up from her seat. We're halfway to the door when Hector says my name.

I pause, glancing back at him.

"I expect a wedding invitation," he says, grinning at me.

"You'll get one."

Seraphina makes this little sound that's half squeak, half gasp, all shock, her body going rigid. Her big hazel eyes meet mine.

"W-what?" she whispers.

"Where'd you think this was going, angel?"

"I…"

There's nothing more beautiful than this woman when she's speechless with stars in her eyes. Nothing.

Chapter Nine

Seraphina

Stone ushers me out of Hector's office while I'm still stuck on stupid, trying to process what he just said to me. I think he broke my brain because nothing is working right. Not even my legs.

He has to help me back to his office suite because I'm a fucking fawn just learning to walk.

As soon as the door closes behind us, he turns to me, more serious than I've ever seen him. "If you don't breathe soon, I'm calling an ambulance, angel."

"I…You…I…" I give up trying to form words and just faceplant into his chest instead, earning a chuckle.