Page 56 of Donut Overthink It

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I run into the office Tuesday morning after deciding to take a cab and leave my car at home. When I’m running late, I don’t have the extra minutes to spare by driving and parking. And plus, the extra time I spent in bed with Aiden this morning left me having to do some of my makeup in the cab.

“Morning, Hadley,” the security guard yells as he lifts his hand to wave at me as I run through the lobby.

“Good morning,” I say, passing by him in a mad dash for the elevator banks.

I step inside just as one starts to close. I reach up and fan my blouse because my breasts are already sweating. Fuck, I’m so ready for winter.

“Hadley?”

I turn to see Trevor behind me and let out a long breath. “Hey, Trevor,” I say with a head nod.

His eyes look me up and down in a way that makes me feel uncomfortable. I need to remember to ask Aiden why he warned me to stay away from him. Ever since he said it, Trevor has given me the creeps.

“I would ask how you are today, but I can guess that it is going as usual.” He chuckles, and it rubs me the wrong way.

I turn to face the doors, ignoring him. My eyes slide to the right when I hear him move to stand next to me. “I was wondering …” He pauses, and I bite my inner lip. Please don’t ask me out. “If you would like to get some coffee sometime? I’m free tonight.” He laughs nervously. “Well, I guess tonight would be dinner. Are you free for dinner?”

The man who stands back in the corner talking on his cell snorts at Trevor’s pathetic attempt to ask me out, and I refrain from rolling my eyes at the bastard. Instead, I turn to face Trevor. “I can’t.”

His face falls. “Okay. I understand. We can do coffee tomorrow morning—”

“I didn’t mean I can’t do dinner. I mean I can’t go on a date with you,” I interrupt him before this goes any further. “I’m seeing someone.” Not a total lie.

“Oh,” he says, surprised.

“Thank you, though,” I say as the elevator comes to a stop and the doors slide open.

“Have a nice day, Hadley,” he says, not even bothering to look back at me.

“Good morning, Hadley,” Millie says with tired eyes when I walk into the office. She then grabs her cup of coffee and takes a big sip.

“Rough night?” I ask, trying not to laugh. I feel sorry for her. She is fifty-five and raising her three-year-old granddaughter. From what she’s told me, her daughter fell in love with a drummer and left her granddaughter behind to follow his band.

She holds up one finger while she downs another drink. “Mr. Kyle and Mr. Kyle are in the conference room waiting for you.” I frown, and she leans over her desk, lowering her voice. “And the police are with them.”

My eyes widen, and my heart starts to pound. “What?” I breathe.

She gives me an apologetic smile. “Mr. Kyle said to send you in as soon as you arrive.”

I swallow the lump in my throat. “I …” Are they going to arrest me again? Has Asher talked Aiden into turning me in? That was his plan. Turn myself in and then get bail. What was his reason …?

“Hadley?”

I spin around to see Bianca come up to Millie’s desk. She has a big smile on her face and a stack of paperwork in her hands. “What?” I ask, and my voice shakes on the one word.

She frowns at me. Her brown brows pulling together as her brown eyes search mine. “Are you okay?” she asks.

I nod but that knot returns to my throat.

“You left the benefit last night in a rush,” she reminds me. “Were you sick?” Her eyes look me up and down. “Are you still sick?”

She knows why I left, but I don’t have time to talk to her about it. I just stare at her, trying to think of a plan. An exit strategy. How I can keep myself from being arrested. If they hand me over, will the police allow me to leave by way of stairs? I’d rather not let my co-workers see me leave in cuffs.

“Hadley.” I hear Millie call out to me. “Mr. Kyle is waiting for you,” she says sternly.

“Yes.” I swallow the knot and nod my head quickly. “Going. Now.” I can’t form a sentence. Without wasting another second, my feet somehow carry me toward the conference room. Thoughts of the officer cuffing my hands behind my back run through my mind as I come to a stop at the door. For some reason, I knock on it. It swings open a second later, and Aiden stands before me.

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