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“Yeah, pretty much. Did you have time to read through everything?”
“As much as I could find. Your notes are a little sparse the past week or two.”
“Easily distracted. Mostly it’s been the final details.”
“No problem. I’m sure Grove’s team can get me up to date.”
“They can.” I grabbed my padfolio off the desk and motioned Peyton back out of the office. Her eyes widened as she scooted out of my way. “Let’s head down there.”
We walked as a pair, her knee-high black boots clicking against the floor as we made our way down the hall to our preferred room. It was still empty. Grove must’ve been on their way. I paced the long side of the room, my hands buried deep in my pockets.
“Are you nervous?” Peyton asked suddenly, her words rushed.
My chin jerked up, surprised. “For what?”
“This meeting? I’m not sure. You seem a bit shaky today.” Peyton ducked her head. “No offense meant.”
“None taken. But no, not nervous about the meeting.” Not exactly, at least. More for the members.
I heard soft chatter and stopped my pacing to stare at the doorway. As if she came straight out of my dreams, Cecelia Grove stepped into my conference room.
“Good morning,” she sang at us. Dressed in an immaculate purple dress that hugged every tantalizing inch of her body, Cici was something out of my latest fantasy. Without preamble, she set her bag down on the table and turned to Peyton with a welcoming smile.
“You must be Peyton,” she said, moving immediately to my employee. A twang of jealousy struck me as she eagerly gathered Peyton’s hand in her own. “Cici Grove. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too. Grab a seat anywhere.” Peyton gestured around the room, her face flushed with pleasure at the warm greeting. “We’ll get started in just a moment. If you can excuse me, I’m going to grab my water. I’ll be right back.”
Quick as lightning, Peyton started for the door. Turning ever so slightly at the door to catch my eye, she mouthedWowat me before she disappeared out. I rubbed the grin off my face as I found my spot at the table.
“How are you?” Cici spoke from behind me.
I turned to face her, my mouth immediately curling into a smile as I soaked her in. She returned it easily, her cheeks slightly pink.
“I’m great.” I moved to stand in front of her. The palms of my hands itched with the need to reach out and claim her once again. “Maybe even a little better now.”
“Oh yeah?” Cici’s body swayed towards me under the bright fluorescent lights.
“Very much so,” I said. Unable to stop myself, my hand snuck out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. The golden strands were like silk, twining around my fingers, as if to beg me to tangle myself there, to grip her even tighter. I clenched my jaw, dragging my thoughts back to real life. “How are you?”
Cici’s deep-blue gaze, which had been playfully surveying my face, suddenly went still. She stepped back, the soft click of her heels against the thin carpet catching my attention. Already back in heels, I saw. “I’m alright,” she said finally, but the practiced smile she sent my way seemed distant, cool.
There was an edge to her voice too. I pivoted away, recognizing the warning in her face. Something had changed.
“Got it. Sorry about that. I leave this thing everywhere,” Peyton said, stepping back inside, her sticker-covered bottle raised above her shoulders.
Cici gave her a nod before sitting down heavily and thumbing through her bag.
Peyton looked between us with her dark brows arched. I gave her a quick shake of my head and sank down in a chair at the head of the table.
“Great,” Cici said from the other side of the table. “Let’s get started. Mr. Martinez, do you want to begin?”
Mr. Martinez. Shit. We were back to the beginning.
I sighed, reaching over to gather up my notes, wondering what exactly Cici Grove was thinking.
***
Cici
