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“It’s what was charged.” I shrug, unwilling to debate the fee, even though he’s not wrong. The labor is higher than I would have expected.
He skims it again and sighs. “Fine. Whatever. Can you just take it out of my deposit?”
“Your deposit doesn’t cover the entire charge. What I can do is increase your rent for the next three months, and your deposit will cover the rest.” I reach over the papers and point out the new line item. “If that’s acceptable to you, you can just date and sign the agreement.” I pull a pen out of my pocket and click it open.
He shakes his head. “Fine.” Snatching the pen, he steps over to the security desk to sign the papers.
“So, you’re the manager here now?” Brian says. “Doesn’t Romanov Enterprises own this building?” He narrows his eyes.
“Yes, it does.” I nod.
“So, you work for him now?”
“I work for Masters Property Management. Romanov Enterprises is using us for property management.” I check over my shoulder at Scott signing the papers.
“And that’s it? He’s just what, your client?”
“Brian, I think you stopped getting to ask those questions when we ended our relationship.” I fold my arms over my chest. His eyes dart to my left hand, where the elaborate, gorgeous, engagement ring shimmers.
“You’re engaged to him?” He laughs as he says the words. “Does he, you know, do those things you like? Does he tolerate all those damn stuffed animals?”
My face heats beneath the same criticism in his voice as when we were dating, and I made the worst mistake of letting him see beneath my outer shell. I’d been an idiot, hoping he’d be one way when he’d been very clear on what a cold, formal man he was.
“What things?” Scott asks as he rejoins us, holding out the papers for me.
“Nothing,” I snap and grab the papers from his grasp.
“I’m surprised he lets you have such a grownup job.” Brian says with a sneer. “I mean, this is a big job, managing such a large property. Are you sure you can handle it, Billie?” The way he says my name sends my skin crawling.
“Don’t you have a meeting to get to?” I click the pen again, slide it into my front pocket, and turn my attention to Scott. “I’ve held you up long enough. I’ll scan these documents and have a copy emailed to you this afternoon.”
“Sure. Thanks.” Scott grabs his gloves from his pocket and wiggles his hands into them. “Let’s go,” he says to Brian, who gives a slow shake of his head at me with a smile that tells me how pathetic he thinks I am.
As they walk out, Roman walks in from the cold. His gaze hits me then a split second later, he turns to get a look at Brian.
“What happened?” he demands, his gloved hands already fisted at his sides, ready to do battle.
I force a smile. “Nothing. It was nothing. I was just giving the invoices to Scott Carrington for the broken glass. It’s all handled.” I pat the papers I have pressed against my chest.
“His friend was a real ass, though,” Derek mutters from behind us. Yes, I definitely need to find something for him to occupy his time. He has too much of it on his hands, he’s becoming a little bit of a busybody.
“Was he?” Roman’s eyes darken. “What did he say to her?”
I huff. “Nothing.” I turn toward Derek. “It was nothing. He and I knew each other a while ago. It was nothing, I swear.”
Derek lowers his eyes back to his computer.
Roman doesn’t look ready to let it go.
“What brings you by? I thought we weren’t supposed to get together until tomorrow night.” I start walking in the direction of my office, hoping to pull him along with me. He gives Derek one more glance, then matches my step.
“I didn’t want to wait,” he says, which would be romantic, if we had that sort of relationship. We don’t. I spent my entire time in my shower this morning reminding myself we were not actually engaged. This was just a story that would end soon. It was nice staying at his house the other night, but staying home last night had been good for me. A reminder that my place is in my apartment, far away from the Romanov family.
“Wait for what?” I drop the papers on my desk once we’re back in my office. I’m trying to push away the crap Brian said, the disgusted look in his eyes, the laughter in his voice, but it’s fresh, and an addition to the other things he said when we were together.
“First, you look upset. What happened with those men?” he demands again as I plop down into my chair.
“I’m fine. Just tell me what you came to tell me.” I grab my empty cup and bring it to the coffeemaker.
