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“We were just discussing what’s next for Northberg,” Stacey said. “Won’t you please sit down?”
The top-tier team took their places around a central Donal at the closest side of the table while she sat at the edge of the room at their backs, like always. Xander didn’t take a prominent position. Quite the opposite. He sat at the other side of the room, behind the Northberg delegation.
Like an underling.
It didn’t make sense.
If he was such a bigshot, why was he seated there like a lowly assistant?
Hal Crean, the Northberg CEO, started going on about a renewed relationship and a bright future. Taking notes on her phone was normal; no one batted an eye. Sometimes they had tablets, but there was a finite number in their department and the others were in use.
Notes on Hal’s monologue weren’t required, giving her the opportunity to text the interloper.
“What are you doing here?”
Xander’s phone chimed in the same moment she hit send, reminding her to put her own on silent. She tried to focus on Hal’s talking. Northberg was moving into a new era, stronger than ever. They needed a dynamic team to rise with them. Her phone quaked in her hand.
“I miss you, Button. x”
That was his reason? It didn’t make it right. Hal was still going on about synergy and diving deep, so she responded.
“That’s not an answer. This is my workplace.
I don’t like games.”
His reply was quick.
“No games. I’m here to stay, baby. Meet Xander Gauge.”
Listening was getting more difficult as her thoughts got louder. She’d said she didn’t know Xander Gauge and wanted to get to know him. This. In her work, surrounded by colleagues, was not what she’d meant. She texted back.
“What does that mean? Is that a threat?
I have bills to pay, I didn’t think you were this guy.”
Threatening her was beyond what she’d expect. But she wouldn’t have expected him to show up at her work either.
Her phone vibrated again.
“I am your guy, Rainie. I don’t give up.
You have to know how serious I am about you.
About us being together. I’d give you anything I
have, anything in my power to give is yours. We
agreed to communicate, Button. Lay that honesty
On me. Don’t block me out. x”
Honesty. How could she be honest with him when she couldn’t figure herself out? Doubting him was secondary to her doubting herself, that much was obvious.
In the interests of honesty, she could only tell him what she knew for sure.
“Dem wants to have sex in his suite tonight.”
That was the truth. She read it back. Oh, God, was that callous? Hurting him wasn’t her goal. She’d been calling to tell him that. Her heart raced. Peeking up, past the people at the table engaged in discussing promoting their products, her eyes met his.
