Page 169 of By His Rule

“It’s going to involve some last-minute travel plans.”

“Just tell me what you need and I’ll get onto it,” I force out as my world continues to spin out of control.

40

LORELEI

No sooner had Kian given me the dates and location for his upcoming business trip than I was dismissed from his office. Nothing more was said about my refusal to accept his proposal, nor did he discuss the reason why he canceled our date.

It’s fine. I understand well enough that he found a better option. There was a twisted part of me that wanted to see if he was going to be brazen enough to sit on the other side of his desk and lie to my face.

He has to know that there are pictures of him and Tia online. Surely, he doesn’t think I’m stupid enough not to have looked…or maybe he does.

That thought possibly hurts more than the fact he chose a hot actress over me in the first place.

Only minutes after I returned to my desk, Kian emerged from his office and announced that he was going to be out for the rest of the day and not to bother him unless it was urgent.

That wasn’t exactly a big ask, since he was the last person on the planet that I wanted to talk to.

Mellissa also left soon after to accompany King in some meetings. I had no idea if they were the same meetings that were keeping Kian busy, and I didn’t care to ask. Instead, I made the most of the peace and focused on all the things I needed to do.

The day sped by faster than I was expecting, and all too soon I left the building with a little more excitement than I entered with this morning.

I still second-guessed my trip in the elevator, but while I might have had an extra skip in my step after spending hours without being hounded by my boss, I wasn’t embarking on the epic trek that would have been taking the stairs.

The sun was shining and the warmth of the fall air instantly wrapped around me like a blanket. And that was just the start of my day turning around.

“Lori,” a familiar voice calls, and when I turn around, I find Cory running toward me with a wide smile on his face. “Surprise,” he says, animatedly handing me a gorgeous bunch of flowers.

“Aw,” I say, dropping my nose into the pretty blooms and sucking in a deep breath of sweetness. “What are these for?”

Cory shrugs. “A little birdy told me that you might need a pick-me-up.”

“Tatum,” I growl darkly, making him laugh.

“She was meant to come, but she’s stuck in a meeting, so lucky you, you get me all to yourself.”

A genuine smile spreads across my face.

“Sounds perfect to me. What’s the plan then?”

He rolls his eyes dramatically. “Cocktails, obviously.”

“It’s a Monday night, Cor.”

“So? Haven’t you heard Mondays are the new Fridays?”

“I thought Thursdays were the new Fridays,” I tease.

“Ugh, you are so last year.” He laughs, threading his arm through mine and spinning me around in the direction of our favorite Mexican restaurant.

“Miss Lori?” a deep voice calls. “Do you need a ride?”

“No, thank you, Jamie. Why don’t you go home and enjoy your evening?” The temptation to invite him out for a drink burns through me. I’m sure Kian would have something to say about that. But I manage to refrain. He’s a good egg. I don’t want to get him in more trouble than I’m sure I already have.

“I’m not off the clock for a few hours yet.”

“I’m sure the boss can cope getting a cab,” I point out.

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