Page 50 of Cherish Me Forever

"You're passing on pizza?" Kimberly asked, as if she couldn't possibly believe it.

Pizza was my kryptonite, which my sister knew.

"Yeah, I had a big breakfast."

"Okay. And I see you’re giving me a run for my money in the gifts department." She shook her head, glancing at the pile of presents. "Send me your list, okay? So I don't accidentally buy the same thing."

"Sure," I said, already a bit absentminded.

"Reese, are you sure you're okay?" Kimberly asked.

Damn it. My fake smile was still wide on my face. "Yeah, just... I had a bit of a late start, and now I’m in a manic phase."

"Fine. I won't disturb you. Want me to close the door?"

"No, no. Leave it open." I was likely to spiral out again if I had privacy.

After she left, I got back to my to-do list, but because of my flat-out lie, I got hangry at around three o'clock. I debated going to the sandwich shop my sister loved across the street, but I didn't want to waste any time.

Despite trying my best to focus on work, I’d fallen behind today, and I didn't want to slack off. I prided myself on my work ethic.

A knock at the door startled me an hour later.

"Reese?" My assistant stood there with what I was certain was a club sandwich.

"Oh my God, is that food? You're a lifesaver," I exclaimed.

"Yeah, it is. Kimberly said you weren't joining them for lunch because you had a big breakfast, which I thought was odd. You told me you skipped it."

I cleared my throat. She and I had a mutual understanding about secrets.

"Anyway, I went to buy something at the pharmacy and thought you might like this."

I smiled gratefully. "Thanks. And not a word to Kimberly, okay?"

"You didn't even have to mention that, boss."

"Better safe than sorry."

After she left, I ate the sandwich quickly, then got back to work.

I ended up staying overtime at the office. I'd finished my last to-do item at five thirty, but once everyone filtered out, I basked in the calmness of the empty office. My adrenaline subsided. I still hadn't made any headway as to why Malcolm thought he had a claim on anything, but I wasn't as apprehensive as this morning. Still, an uneasy feeling lingered in my chest.

The phone rang, startling me. I didn't look at it, fearing it might be Malcolm demanding a response. Then I shook myself. I wasn’t a chicken. I was acting completely out of character today. I didn't cower, I didn't hide away in fear, and I didn't keep things from my family.

When I finally glanced at the screen, I relaxed.

Dom was calling. My stomach somersaulted, but for entirely different reasons than before. My lips burned with the memory of the kiss. I answered right away.

"Good evening, Reese."

"Dom, hi," I said.

"Am I interrupting anything?"

"No, just me at the office."

"At this hour?"

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