Page 18 of Ciaran

“Probably,” he drawls, his attention on me. “Why don’t you take off, Tanya. Millie can stick around until Marion arrives. I’ll do the introductions.”

My pulse jolts. What game is he playing?

“If you’re sure,” Tanya says, already reaching under the desk for her purse. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Millie.”

“Bye,” I croak, my voice husky and raw as I watch Tanya jog down the steps and disappear from sight.

Callum leans on the reception desk, his chilly green eyes fixed on mine. “Ciaran tells me you’ve split from Tanner.”

I glance at the floor. “Yes.”

“You’re not going to bring trouble to our door, are you, Millie?”

My chin comes up, and I take a step back. My lip sticks to my top teeth, and I run my tongue around the inside. “No. No, I’m not.”

He looks directly at me. “I hope not, for your sake.”

“I just want a chance, Callum.”

“And you’ve got one, thanks to my brother.”

I bite down on my lip. “I know this is awkward. If you really want me to go, I will.”

His probing eyes narrow, and my pulse races. I made the offer to go because I want to show him that I have integrity, and that I’m genuinely not trying to cause trouble. But if he accepts…

“What if I said I did want you to go? Would you walk out of here right now and never come back?”

I square my shoulders, refusing to look away from Callum’s daring gaze, even if my lungs are on the verge of collapse. Tanner’s words often crushed me, but I survived. Hell, I escaped. If Callum O’Reilly thinks he can break me, I’m about to disappoint him.

I thrust my chin forward. “Yes, Callum. If you want me to leave, I’ll leave. I won’t stay where I’m not wanted.”

A flash of surprise turns his emerald-green eyes a shade darker. He opens his mouth to respond, but I don’t get to hear his thoughts because someone else cuts in.

“You are wanted, and you are staying.”

A raven-haired, olive-skinned beauty strides toward us, dressed in a smart, navy-blue suit—clearly designer—paired with a crisp white shirt, sheer nylons, and cream stilettos. Slung over her shoulder is a fashionable handbag that matches her shoes.

I glance down at my own off-the-rack dress before glancing back up at the elegant woman before me.

“You must be Millie,” she says, greeting me with a warm, friendly smile that immediately puts me at ease. “I’m Laurella.” She thrusts a shopping bag at Callum. “Take that downstairs for me. Millie doesn’t need you crowding her on her first day.”

The Callum of old would have told Laurella to deal with her own damn bag. Instead, he takes it from her without question and presses a soft kiss to her temple.

“Looks like you’ve got two fans, Millie,” he says. “Lucky for you.”

Laurella rolls her eyes. “Don’t push me, Callum.” When he chuckles but doesn’t move, she glares at him. “Are you still here?”

He raises his hands in the air. “I’m going, I’m going.”

“Good.” She turns her back on him. “Ah, here’s Marion to relieve you.” Laurella makes brief introductions, then links her arm through mine to steer me into the bar area. “Let’s have a celebratory drink.”

“Oh, no, it’s fine,” I say, thinking about my meager funds. I barely have enough money for food, let alone expensive cocktails. I’ve seen the type of clientele this hotel attracts. No doubt that will translate to the price of the drinks.

“Nonsense,” Laurella says. She pauses, her gaze searching my face. “It’s been a challenging day at work. I could do with a little female company before I have to spend my evening soothing Callum’s ego. Drinks on me, of course.”

I hide my relief at Laurella’s offer to pay, even if guilt pricks at my conscience. “If you’re sure.”

Pulling out a bar stool, Laurella indicates for me to sit. “What would you like?”

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