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Her icy glare turns glacial, and her lips twist in anger. “You’re lying. You enjoyed every fucking second we were together.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her it was a less than memorable event, that my hand has given me more pleasure, but I swallow the words.
Now, it’s me skating a thin line because one claim to HR and I’ll be fighting a sexual harassment suit that will bury my career. I’ve come too far to lose it because of a greedy, social climbing bitch that’s looking for a fight.
I shrug, not replying to her statement, and start walking again. I’m almost through the doorway when she hisses, “You’re a fucking asshole.”
“Been called a lot worse,” I mutter under my breath.
When I get to my office suite, Janice is on the phone, hanging up immediately when she sees my face.
&n
bsp; “What happened?” she asks.
“Not making that mistake again. Call whoever you need to call to get us our own coffee service station in here. Anything you want, it’s approved.”
“Kyra caught you, didn’t she?”
“How’d you know?”
“She’s been on the prowl for weeks.”
“The interest is one-sided.”
“You should have let me get your coffee for you this morning.”
“I wanted to walk around a bit, clear my head.”
Her expression softens with concern. Janice is one of the few people who knows about the Palmer Enterprises RFP.
“Maybe it’s time for a break,” she suggests kindly.
“I can’t stop now; I’m on a roll. The initial sketches are done, and I’m working on add-ins. Our competitors aren’t taking a break, so I don’t get that luxury.”
She eyes me warily and nods, knowing me well enough after all the years she’s worked for me. Twelve to fourteen-hour days are the norm when I’m creating a design. What she doesn’t know is that I’m living a double life and falling for a woman I have no right to be.
“Well, then how about fifteen minutes to show me exactly where you are and what you have so far. I’ve been dying to see your masterpiece.” The excitement in her voice catches on, and I motion for her to follow.
The coffee no longer appeals to me, so I toss it and head into my drawing room where the sketches are laid out. One by one, I take her through the details, pointing out the elements that will make it the most innovative lab ever built. When I’m not in this room sketching, I’ve been at my computer researching every lab in the world that’s been constructed within the last eight years. My mind has memorized every piece of data found, down the exact angle the building should sit for energy purposes.
It’s not the drawing that I’m most proud of; it’s the unique features. When we received the RFP, the outline included an entire floor for patient care. This is where test cases will be performed and monitored. It’s a miniature medical facility of sorts.
Usually, I’d stick with the brick and mortar, but with this design, I went outside of my specialize area. The added touches include indoor and outdoor gardens with tranquil waterfalls and lush landscaping throughout. Lavish suites for patient care and children’s playing areas for parents in need are also detailed.
So much more to humanize the design for top of the line, revolutionary care.
All because of Greer.
She is my inspiration.
The only people I’ve consulted with are Dad and Clay, keeping my plans under lock and key.
Uncle Rob pushed at first to be in the know but stopped when he saw my rough sketch and my determination. Nothing has gone through him as he originally demanded.
When we’re awarded this project, it’s going to be a beast to bring it all together from a material and construction standpoint, but Dad and Clay have my back.
I finish explaining the design and find Janice looking at me with a twinkle in her eyes.
