Page 12

“Whatever it was,” my brother starts, studying me as I fight my own thoughts, “whatever happened, you need to fix it. Because Shilo’s starting with us on Monday.”

My head snaps up quickly. “What the fuck? Are you serious? You really think that’s a good idea?”

“We promised Paige we’d help him, didn’t we?”

“Aye, but—“

“No buts,” he cuts me off with a pointed look. “We promised her, Ry. And Callahan men keep their promises.”

“Don’t quote Dad at me, asshole.”

Heaving a sigh, I glare at the ceiling, knowing this can only end in disaster. I may be a lot of things, but I’ve always prided myself on not sleeping with employees—with one very regrettable exception downstairs. Unlike my father and brother, who have no qualms dipping their toes into the proverbial pond.

Not only will I be Shilo’s boss, but we’ll be working together, practically on top of each other—and not in the fun way. I’ll have to interact with him constantly, twenty-five hours a week, five hours a day. Someone I’ve shared an orgasm with. Someone I’m pretty sure I traumatized.

How the fuck are we supposed to work together?

Declan slaps my shoulder, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips before he heads back to his office. “Monday morning, brother. Be prepared.”

Shilo’s blue eyes flash in my mind—the way they dimmed when I left him half-naked on my couch, and the shame that’s always simmering beneath my skin rises, tightening its grip.

There’s no way this won’t end with one of us in pieces.

Shilo

Ihate this. Hate everything about this stupid assignment, this class, and the passive-aggressive professor who can go kick frickin’ rocks.

But here I am.

At CalTek, bright and early at the butt-crack of dawn on a Monday morning, waiting at the security desk for my clearance badge.

The toast Mom practically shoved down my throat before I left sits like a rock in my stomach. Or maybe it’s the thought of work today. Probably both.

After running out on Friday, Paige caught up with me in the lobby to give me the bad news—I got hired—before dragging me into the HR office for onboarding. She was completely oblivious to the fact that the guy from August is her boss. Well, now my boss. And don’t even get me started on yesterday’s shopping spree, where Dad bought me dress clothes, made me promise to pay him back, and then told me how proud he was. That was probably the hardest part of all.

Besides Paige doing my hair, I haven’t had a moment to breathe. Relax. Hang out with my rat and play WoW.

“Here’s everything you need,” the security guard says, handing me a badge and a binder. “Company directory, building map, daily schedule, and employee handbook. Executive offices are on the thirteenth floor. Good luck.”

Mumbling a thanks, I flip through the binder as I walk, studying the map. Some areas are marked as restricted in red, others as limited access in yellow. Apparently, my badge won’t get me into places I’m not supposed to go. For now.

Snickering at the thought, I glance at my badge photo and my smile fades into a grimace. I look shell-shocked, worse than my driver’s license. Like a crackhead who just spotted the cops.

Reaching the elevator, I’m about to step in when I hear my sister’s voice.

“Shilo! Hang on a sec!”

She’s out of breath, sweaty strands falling into her face as she hurries over. I can’t help but laugh at how haggard she looks.

“Rough morning?”

“You’ve no idea,” she groans, tightening the messy bun on her head. “I’ve got three high school tours on the roster today, a career seminar, and emails coming out of my ass.”

“That sounds painful. You should see a doctor.”

“Hardy-har, smarty pants.” She ruffles my hair and fixes my shirt collar. “Ry texted me. He wants you to bring coffee and doughnuts to Conference Room Delta for their morning startup.”

My shoulders slump, sweat forming on the back of my neck at the thought of dealing with the baristas in the Café. “He can’t get it himself?”