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“Sure. Whatever you want,” I say, trying not to show my hatred for her.
The sickly scent of her cotton candy perfume surrounds me as she closes in, those thin lips painted a streak of red as her hands play with my tie. The rustling of papers has stopped completely as Isabella inches closer. Every part of me wants to push her away. This isn’t like Isabella. Normally she’d use physical contact as a last resort in her act as my wife, but here she is fixing my tie. Is it because of Kylie?
“I’ve already had my assistant make reservations at Le Chatue for eight. I expect you to handle the transportation.”
“Naturally.” I force the word out. I feel like I can’t breathe, this is so uncomfortable.
She leans in and whispers in my ear. “Got to keep up appearances. It seems your little helper is interested in you. She’s cute. But don’t let it become a distraction.”
She pulls away and waves with that plastic smile in place. “See you tonight.”
I stare at Isabella in disbelief as she slinks out the room, the door slamming behind her. The peace of the morning is gone, and I’m left paralyzed behind my desk. Her words sent a shiver up my spine. Was it a threat or a warning? Even if she seemed part robot, that woman intuition seems to be just fine. But she’s the least of my worries.
I can feel Kylie’s eyes burning a hole into my left temple, but I don’t dare move. What do I even say to her? Sorry for not telling you that I’m married, but I really didn’t want you to find out this way? She’s going to quit for sure. And just as I was putting the pieces together.
I finally find the courage to turn, and I’m surprised to find her staring at the last page of the folder instead of me. Her hands lay flat on the desk. I want to hold her in my arms and tell her everything, but she might stab me with a letter opener or something if I move too fast.
“Kylie,” I croak, heart pounding. “Let me explain.”
She slowly turns toward me, an eerie smile on her face. It’s calm. A bit too calm for the given circumstance. I want to pour out the rest of the truth all at once but don’t know where to start.
“You have a meeting in fifteen minutes,” she says, voice neutral.
I blink at her. “What?”
“You have a meeting with Fawn Gregger in fifteen minutes on the twenty-seventh floor. Conference room A.”
Her calm is jarring, almost robotic. Is she secretly planning to poison my lunch later as revenge?
“Kylie,” I start, but she holds up a hand.
“The help is going home for a few hours.” She rises to stand and stacks the folder she was reading on the top of the pile.
“I can call a car for you,” I say, reaching for my phone.
“No need.” She waves away the idea. “By the way, you should review your day before you leave. Looks like another busy one.”
"Okay.”
“I won’t be back in the afternoon after you’ve had your lunch.” Kylie looks me once over, a mix of emotions swirling behind her eyes.
I want to bring her in my arms, but I just watch helplessly as she grabs her bag and walks out the door without another word. I ease myself into the cushions of the office chair, eyes still glued to the door. At least she didn’t quit on the spot. But she also isn’t coming back anytime soon. This is a disaster. I lean on my desk, mind swirling faster than I can handle. What am I going to do now?
CHAPTER20
Kylie
Who the fuck was that?My blood boils as I wait to cross the street, the flashing stop sign mimicking how I feel inside. Maybe I’ve been wrong about him this entire time. Maybe he’s been really good at playing me, and now he’s just been busted.
The apartment building comes into view, and I numbly walk through the lobby. But I can’t seem to shake this feeling. Something’s not right; I can feel it in my gut. That kiss felt real, very real. I could almost feel his vulnerability, which is something he never shows. This is very problematic because it’s adding to my confusion of wanting him last night and hating him right now.
However, one thing I’ve gotten really good at after my shit show of a marriage is reading people, and I owe it to myself to figure this out. I’m not stupid; I would have noticed something as close as we’ve been working. But I need to figure out what the fuck is going on.
My late night out gave me no more information than it did before. I can’t help but wonder if there are other files hidden in the office. Files that Johnathan has kept hidden from me or I missed along with his mystery seductress.
A sea of kids bound off of the elevator, their backpacks bouncing behind them as they run through the lobby without a care in the world. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to be one of them right now. I’d run so far no one would ever find me. An endless game of hide and seek.
Sleep calls for me as I stumble onto the elevator and watch the numbers climb. With any luck, Jax is already halfway to the office with his good friend David. I’m sure I’ll get chewed out later once he gets home. Maybe I should switch things up and interrogate him for a change. Stay home and wait by the door in a robe and slippers like Mom. I pause on the threshold. Ah, sweet silence.
