AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My favorite smile appears—the one that only curls up one corner of his mouth and always reaches his eyes. “Nah. The ranch will be fine without me.”
“Oh my God.”
I look across the hall, and Kyle does too. Lilah is frozen in place, staring at Kyle.
When she realizes she’s captured his attention, she slaps a palm over her mouth. “I can’t believe I said that out loud. I’m so sorry. This is super unprofessional. I just…wow, I love your music so much. My roommates and I drove five hours to see you play in Miami. Blew all our food money on tickets and ate ramen for a month. Totally worth it.”
Something acidic burns my throat.
Witnessing people—women—fawn over Kyle in this building is nothing new. Being annoyed by it is nothing new. But this time, the annoyance isn’t rooted in incredulity. I’m not wondering why they’re acting this way around him.
I’m…extremely jealous.
Kyle smiles, but it’s one that doesn’t reach his eyes. “I’m flattered. I hope you enjoyed the show.”
Lilah nods emphatically, then rushes into her office and closes the door. She only started working here a couple of months ago, so I guess she’s not as jaded around celebrities as I am. Then again, I’ve never seen her fangirl over anyone, except Kyle, so maybe it’s just him.
“You could throw a stone and hit a Kyle Spencer fan in here, I guess.” I speak before he can, trying to make light of the encounter.
Kyle raises one eyebrow. “Are you threatening my fans?”
“That doesn’t sound like something I’d do. I’m more of a pacifist.”
“Is that related to being a vegetarian?”
“Probably.”
He smiles. “So, I—” His phone rings. Kyle swears under his breath, then answers it, pinching the bridge of his nose as he nods along to whatever the caller is saying. “Yeah, okay.”
He hangs up, his expression now apologetic.
“You have to go.”
Kyle nods. “Brayden is already in Carl’s office. I’m holding things up.”
“Okay. I’ll, uh, see you tomorrow.”
He studies me, something unsettled in his expression. After a minute, he nods and turns, disappearing down the hall.
I exhale for what feels like the first time in hours. Sink down into my chair and suck in a few deep breaths, painfully aware that everyone in the immediate vicinity can see into my office. Then try to refocus on what I have to get done today and avoid thinking about how he’s right down the hall instead of in Texas, like I thought.
My phone rings around noon.
It’s Linda, and she tells me to come up to reception.
I send the email I was working on, change into my blazer, and then hurry down the hall, trying to figure out why she called. Typically, Linda signs for all the packages, and I’m not expecting anything to be sent here anyway.
As soon as I reach reception, the mystery is solved.
Kyle is standing by the elevators, studiously ignoring all the stares aimed his way. His attention snaps to me as soon as I appear, no sign of the usual softness I got used to seeing in his expression.
His face is set in a stony mask, and my stomach knots as I wonder what could have happened in his meeting.
“Do you have a minute to discuss some questions related to the fundraiser?” His tone is brisk as he hits the Down button, matching his stoic expression.
I’m confused, but nod. Linda gives me a sympathetic, puzzled look as the elevator arrives. I follow him inside, glancing at the ground instead of the looks aimed in this direction.
As soon as the doors close, Kyle turns toward me.
