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“I have no reason not to.” He shakes the papers and gives me a stern frown, thinking long and hard about my question, then says, “I’ll look over these and have any thoughts together for you by the end of the day.”
Alicia says something to him as he walks out, no doubt telling him how she really feels about him, then winks at me before the door falls shut. I groan in relief as the silence consumes me, begging me to keep it there, but I can never seem to get it to stay long enough.
The knocking on the door has me narrowing my eyes and I stand abruptly, straightening my skirt before walking over to the door and pulling it open.
I’m surprised when one of my oldest friends walks through the door, the bags more than noticeable under her eyes, and I immediately lead her over to my guest chair in concern. “Justine, what’s going on?”
She shakes her head frantically, tears streaming down her face and shoulders shaking with sobs. “I-I need your help.”
I blink a few times, not used to seeing her like this, but eventually bring myself to nod slowly. “Anything, now what?” My hands are sweating profusely while I wait in silence for her answer, but there’s some part of me that already knows what she’s going to say.
“I think he’s seeing someone else.”
“Why are you thinking that?” If there’s anyone in the world who deserves to be looked at as the power couple, it’s Justine and Cyle.
They were the couple in high school that everyone aspired to be like and it still hasn’t changed for me, even all these years later. Justine sighs and straightens her shoulders, trying to get out of her head. “He’s been out late a lot recently, claiming that he’s been working on a story with a new producer.”
After high school, Cyle decided that he wanted to be a news reporter and went to college for broadcasting. It didn’t take him long after he graduated with his degree to get a call to go to New York, work among some of the best.
“Are you sure you aren’t thinking too much?” If there’s anything I know about city life it’s that there’s always something to do — or, in this case, something happening.
She groans. “No, Syd, I’m not sure. If I was sure, I wouldn’t be here right now asking for your advice.”
“What do you want me to tell you?”
“That I’m being stupid,” she mutters, running a hand through her soft red curls. I’ve always admired her hair, preferring her bright fire engine hair over the bleach waves tumbling down my back.
Justine went through most of our friendship changing her hairstyle. One year she opted for a shorter look, cutting it just above her shoulders. Another year she let it grow out before getting it cut into layers and curling it on most days. This is the look I love most though — the bangs that frame her forehead really bring out the shape of her face, and the way her strands fall perfectly against her skin.
There’s a small patch of freckles that dot her nose, one of my favorite parts about her, and I find myself counting them. How do I answer this and help her, when I can barely even help myself? I give her a small smile and rub her thigh. “I can’t tell you that, Justine, you have to figure it out on your own.”
Considering Cyle’s line of work, I’d say she doesn’t have anything to worry about. But what if I end up being wrong and she blames me for leading her astray? I’d rather not have to deal with the emotions that will ensue. Still, I’m not sure I can see Cyle throwing their relationship away so easily.
Before we can say anything else, there’s a loud knock on the door and Heath rushes in, his eyes narrowing at Justine’s figure sitting down. “Sydney, there are some issues with the information you sent over. I emailed you, but figured I’d come talk to you about it.” He throws another glare at Justine. “No personal visits while you’re working.”
He slams the files onto my desk before storming out, not bothering to give me or Alicia, her petite frame angled in his direction as he walks past her desk, a glance.
Justine clears her throat and I squeeze her shoulder. “Just try to think long and hard about what you think he’d do, okay?”
She nods and lets me lead her from the office, giving me a small hug before scurrying toward the elevators.
When I get to my desk, I lift the file from it and scan over the words I wrote onto the paper with a frown. He’s clearly upset that I wasn’t able to get any other information from the place, but he’ll just have to understand it’s not as easy as it looks. Especially when your heart keeps beating rapidly in one of the owners' presence.
How could someone I’ve only met once, with very few words, have such a hold on me?
Chapter 5
Brent
After months of dealing with the cast, my leg can finally breathe and I get to start my physical therapy now. I’ll go twice a week to my physical therapist, then she’ll send me home with a list of things I can do around the ranch to help with it. Nathan’s quiet as we pull into the driveway, but perks up after catching sight of something ahead of us.
Or someone.
There she is again.
I groan silently and throw my head back against the seat. What is she doing here again? She told Nathan that she’d be back in a few months, but I didn’t believe her for one second. Judging by the bright smile that Nathan gives her I’d say they are closer than I originally thought.
She smiles back at him and gives a small wave, her gaze turning to me. Those blue eyes are the brightest I’ve ever seen — brighter than the morning sky. I grunt as I walk past the two of them, wanting nothing more than to get into the privacy of my home before I say something stupid.
