Page 129 of Billion Dollar Mistake

A few days later, I’m typing out a report that should've taken me half an hour to complete, yet I’ve been at it for two hours and I’m still going. The numbers aren’t flowing, and it makes me second-guess everything I’m writing. I’ve rewritten and triple-checked everything and I’m still not happy. I’m blaming this uneasiness on my lack of sleep last night. I kept waking up to check my phone to see if Jeremy called. Every single time I found nothing.

I get up and make a coffee in the break room and return to my desk.

“Mr. Spencer,” I say when I walk back to my desk to find him perched on it with his arms crossed over his chest.

“Nova, the report was due an hour ago. I see you haven’t finished.”

His eyes drop over to the computer. He read it while I wasn’t here.

“I’m sorry. I’m making sure it’s perfect,” I admit.

“I don’t need it to be perfect. I need it done.”

His angry tone has panic filling me. I can’t lose this job.

“I’ll have it for you in the next hour.”

“Not a second longer. I hate having grumpy clients.”

I nod.

He exits the room and I exhale heavily, taking a sip of my coffee and sitting down.

“Is everything okay, Nova?” Dalton asks.

“I’m struggling to finish this report. Any chance you can help?”

He grimaces. “I can't. I have a meeting to get to.”

“That’s okay. I need to learn.”

“I can help,” Poppy's voice calls out.

My eyes widen at the fact she’s willing to help me. Now this is progress.

“Yes. I’d love some help,” I reply desperately.

Her heels click and I know she’s making her way over. I get up and grab her a chair. She stands close and I take her in. Her hair is pulled into a sleek pony and her black suit fits her so well. She is every bit sophisticated. To have her help me means more to me than she will ever know. She takes a seat in the chair and moves closer to the computer screen. I’m about to explain what I need help with when Dalton speaks.

“Look at you two being besties.” Dalton winks.

“Go away,” Poppy says, not bothering to turn to look at him.

“I’ll see you two when I get back.” He walks off.

“Bye,” I call and then explain to Poppy what I’ve done and where I’m stuck. She reads through everything, then sits back in the chair and shifts to face me. “This is really good. Very thorough. Way more than you need?”

“Should I delete some?” I ask.

“No, I think to shut Bentley up, send it as is,” Poppy says as she stands.

“Thanks for helping,” I say.

She nods and walks back to her desk. “You're good, Nova. Get out of your head.”

I pinch my lips together. She has no idea how much I’ve been in my head today and it isn’t about work. No, my head is filled with thoughts of Jeremy.

A few hours later, I’m sitting outside on a chair in the crisp New York air. No one is up here. Workers tend to go to the break room or walk to a local bakery and eat lunch. I’ve come here to be alone and make a phone call.

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