Page 37 of Before I Loved You

He drops his hand and takes a step away. “I brought you some things, just in case.” He lifts a small bag in his hands. “Some saltines and ginger ale. No soup this time.” He laughs nervously.

“That was so…thoughtful,” I murmur, still glancing around the office tensely. I glimpse toward Greyson’s office but notice the door is closed. Maybe he isn’t here today.

Still, I can’t take any chances.

Because if Greyson sees Paul here visiting me, it’s game over. And both me and Paul will lose.

“But like I said the other night…” I straighten my shoulders, hating what I’m about to say. “I don’t do relationships, Paul, and this feels like something a boyfriend would do, so I really wish you hadn’t done this.”

I don’t do relationships. Words I previously rushed out to him the other night as he held me in his arms. My mind had raced for any excuse to use as to why we couldn’t be together, and it was the only one I thought he might believe.

Because telling him the truth is not an option.

At least for now, until I figure a way out of Greyson’s grasp.

And until then, I’m left with only one option.

I must lie in order to protect us—all of us.

He looks taken aback, and it instantly crushes any and all of the tough persona I’m trying to exhibit.

Not to mention, it fucking breaks the stupid beating thing beneath my chest.

“Yeah. I know.” He places the bag on my desk, rolling his lips deep in thought. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to bother you during work. I’ll go.” He turns to walk away, and I should let him keep walking.

I try to at least.

But before I know what I’m doing, I’m jumping out of my seat and chasing after him in my heels.

“Wait, Paul.” I grab his elbow, stopping him. He spins around to face me, hurt flashing across his big brown eyes, and it guts me. “I’m sorry. It’s just been a stressful day. It was really sweet of you to bring me those things.” I throw myself into his body, wrapping my arms around his torso. His long arms enfold tightly around my waist, and his hand that presses against my lower back, splaying out as he pulls me against him, feels perfect.

Like a tether to his body that makes me feel…safe.

“Of course,” he says softly, kissing the top of my head. I want to melt into his arms and tell him to take me away from here. Tell him everything. But I don’t because I can’t.

Not yet.

Frustration bubbles inside me at the situation I’ve found myself in, so I hesitantly step away from him, putting just the tiniest bit of distance between us.

“Well, well, well. Paul, what are you doing here?”

My heart thuds erratically as fear invades every morsel of me, spewing to the brink of an eruption.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

I feel Greyson’s presence behind me and immediately turn to face him, cowering closer to Paul. My whole body feels weak as shivers run over me.

Paul being here is the last thing I need right now.

I should have let him go.

“Greyson. I had no idea you work here,” Paul says coldly, his voice on the cusp of sounding ominous.

“My dad is the head of this bank,” he states matter-of-factly, looking between us.

Paul discreetly tugs on the back of my dress, pulling me closer to him, leaving no space between us. His solid body becomes a support for mine to lean against.

“Interesting,” Paul remarks. His fingers rub against my lower back, and there’s no way he doesn’t notice my body shaking.

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