Page 3 of Broken Love

As we arrive at my stop, I must hurry, or I’ll be late. Running in heels isn’t as easy as Claire in Jurassic World makes it look. Of course, I’m not running from a dinosaur about to eat me either, so maybe that’s the problem.

Reaching street level, I’m pleased to see that the building is just across the street. Smoothing out my skirt and straightening my jacket, I slow my steps in order to gain some semblance of control again; however, that same control bites the dust as the sky unleashes a torrent of rain, soaking me to the bone before I’ve even made it into the road. “Of fucking course,” I mutter as I run, breaking a heel and nearly flying through the plate glass window of the building I’m about to enter.

Abandoning the messed-up shoe, I limp my way inside, certain that I resemble a drowned rat, and search out a bathroom to regain some composure. There isn’t one because that’s my luck.

The guard at the security desk eyes me cautiously, as though he can’t see that it’s pouring outside. “Can I help you?” I notice he’s got a finger hovering over a call button on his desk that I’m sure will summon more guards.

Pasting on my best smile, I pretend I don’t look like some sewer creature. “I have an interview with Tanner and Tucker Graham; my name is Windsor James.”

He visibly relaxes. “Of course. I’ll just need your ID, and I have a pass for you. Washroom is to the right once you’re off the elevators on the fourteenth floor.”

“Thank you.” Breathing comes easier, knowing that I can clean up a bit first. After getting everything worked out, I’m in the elevator car alone and on my way up.

Slipping out, I head into the bathroom after receiving a pitying look from the older woman at a desk outside what I assume is the Grahams’ office.

“Jesus, Winds, you look like a drowned rat.” My ebony-brown hair is flat yet frizzy somehow. My mascara is running, and I have bags under my eyes. Using my jacket, I do my best to rub my hair dry before sweeping it up into a conservative bun. Grabbing some paper towels, I work at washing away the black rings staining my eyes and cheeks. By the time I’m finished and feel about halfway presentable, I’ve got thirty seconds to get my butt out there. Nothing can be done about the broken heel, so I Barbie up and pretend like I’m not hanging on by a thread.

Tanner

“She here yet?” I buzz Kathleen, our retiring office manager. The woman wants to spend more time with her grandkids and husband. I can’t fault her, but I can be annoyed about it.

“Yes. She’s just freshening up. The rain came out of nowhere. Be nice.” Her snark won’t be missed.

Fuck it. Yeah, it will. Kathleen has kept us on our toes for years. She’s a magician in our office. If not for her, we wouldn’t be half as organized as we are—especially when it comes to international deals.

“She’s never worked at this level before,” my twin brother, Tucker, grumbles from his desk. Ever since Kathleen suggested it, he’s been dismissive about hiring someone new, someone without experience.

“We want someone long-term, Tuck. Last thing anyone wants is to train someone new again in a couple of years,” I remind him.

He glares at me before looking over the woman’s credentials again. She graduated top of her class, made the Dean’s List every term, and according to her references and what we've found about her on paper, Windsor James is smart, determined, and reliable.

There’s a knock on the door before Kathleen opens it and leads an attractive young woman in.

Damn.

I never had the urge to claim a woman as soon as I met her, but this woman could change that. She’s a beautiful creature. Dark hair tied up at the back of her head, curvy in all the right places, full pouty lips, and clever eyes that see more than she lets on.

“Windsor, this is Tanner and Tucker Graham. Don’t worry about telling them apart; I don’t think they know who is who half the time.” I spear Kathleen with a glare. I definitely want this woman to know who I am.

“Thank you, Kathleen,” Tuck snaps, making the older woman raise a brow at him. Clearly, he’s as confused about his reaction as I am. I suspect our feelings are similar. We’ve always had the same taste in women.

“Miss James, please have a seat.” I indicate to the chairs in front of our joined desks.

“Thank you.” She manages a halfhearted smile. “I apologize for looking a mess; I was not expecting that rain.” Her hazel eyes shift to the window behind us. It’s nearly impossible to see across the street because of what a downpour it is.

“Don’t worry about it. Can’t control everything.” I shoot my brother a look—much as he’d like to. “We’ve spoken with your references, gone over your transcripts, and on paper, we believe you’re a perfect candidate.” Her smile is breathtaking. “However, there’s quite a large gap between your college graduation and now. Can you fill in that time for us?”

Windsor pales, and I want to rescind the question, but we need to know that she’s not just going to up and disappear on us at some point for whatever reason that caused her to straight out of college.

Clearing her throat, she crosses and uncrosses her legs before answering. “The day I received my final exam marks, my mother died after an aggressive and exhausting battle with lung cancer.” I can see she has trouble speaking, so I get up and grab her a water from the fridge we keep in here. “Thank you.” She graces me with a smile that goes straight to my cock before I sit back down.

“We’re sorry for your loss.” Tucker surprises me with how sincere his words are.

She nods and continues. “It was always just Mom and me, so when she died, it felt a bit like I lost a piece of myself as well. I’ve struggled with accepting that she’s gone, and then having to deal with everything else by myself. It’s been a hard year.” I can see how hurt she is to be left all alone in the world, and I have the urge to tell her she’ll never have that feeling again.

“No other family to help?” I can’t imagine that.

“No. My father is, well, useless. I found out I have two younger half-sisters, but I haven’t tried to reach out yet. I wanted to dig myself out of the grief and at least appear to have my life together before trying.” Damn. This girl’s strength is something else.

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