Page 47 of Company Ink

A hint of mischief glows in Adrian's eyes. Smirking, he wraps his arm around my waist and tugs me towards him. "That's right," he says to my mother, his fingers digging into my side. "I bought her a drink, and the rest was history."

Mom hums, pursing her lips. "Why didn't you tell me you were seeing someone, Cassie? I feel like I don't know about anything going on in your life."

I scoff, trying to wiggle myself out of Adrian's grasp. "Well, maybe if you called me or, I don't know, picked upyourphone, you'd know more."

My mother frowns. "Cassandra, perhapsnowis not the time."

"Speaking of time," I say in a strained voice, side-eyeing my boss. "I think Adrian needs to get back to work." I subtly place the filing cabinet keys in his hand. "Call me later?" I ask him, trying to keep the act alive.

"Hold on, hold on. I'd like to get to know Adrian a little bit better. Why don't you join us?" My mom gestures to a chair and I nearly faint. "We still haven't had dessert."

Adrian looks at me and I shake my head slightly.Say no, I scream with my eyes. "I'd love to, but Cassie is correct, I do need to get back to work," he says to my relief.

"Okay, but the two of you should come over for dinner this week," Mom suggests. "Oh! I'll make a casserole!"

"Mom!" I warn her, shooting her a glare. She is overstepping and she knows it! Even if Adrian were myrealboyfriend, I'd be pissed at her for inviting him over without consulting with me first.

"What? Am I not allowed to get to know the man in your life? Honestly, Cassie. It's like you're purposely pushing me away." My mother crosses her arms. God, this is so fucking embarrassing. I can't believe Adrian is witnessing all my family drama.

"Fine," I say through my teeth.This conversation needs to end now!"We'll have dinner."

"Adrian?" My mother asks, her soft eyes scanning his face. "Are you free?"

"Sure," he says lightly but his expression tightens when his eyes meet mine, unease creeping down my spine. "Cassie, I'llcallyou later."

"Okay." I nod my head slowly, attempting to smile. This is so uncomfortable. Kill me, kill me right now. "Sounds great."

Adrian hesitates before leaning over and placing a delicate kiss on my cheek. "Bye,babe," he sings almost threateningly, and then heads out of the restaurant.

Wiping the evidence of Adrian's peck off of my cheek, I slump down into my chair, my nerves a mess, and my head suddenly pounding. For the rest of lunch, I attempt to dodge all of my mother's questions about my 'new boyfriend'. God, why did I say that? What is wrong with me? I've just complicated things to an epic degree! I'll just have to cancel dinner in a few days. Or tell Mom that we broke up. Oh God if I say we broke up, she'll have a goddamn aneurysm.

With my to-go samosa in hand, I say goodbye to my mom and head back to the office. I'm praying that Adrian has meetings all day and we won't have to talk about what went down. There is no doubt in my mind that he's going to ask me a million questions and possibly yell at me. The man doesn't do relationships and I just single-handedly put him in one.

Before heading to my desk, I stop by Blake's office and give his door a light knock. "Blake?" I whisper, propping the door open. "Are you busy?"

Blake removes his Bluetooth earpiece as I enter his office. "I'm always busy, Cassandra," he says. "But I can spare a few seconds."

"How kind of you," I joke, sauntering over to his desk and waving the take-out container in the air. "I brought you something."

Blake's eyebrows furrow. "Your leftovers from lunch?" he asks hesitantly.

I snort. "No, it's a samosa and some chutney." I put the bag on the table and open it up. "Since your lunches aresosad, I figured you could use some food that has actual flavor. Here, try it."

"Uh—I don't know," Blake says, eyeing the triangular snack. "It's deep-fried. I don't eat deep-fried food."

"Oh, come on!" I dip the samosa in the sauce and bring it up to his mouth. "Just a bite! You won't regret it." Blake reluctantly grabs it from my hand and takes a big bite, his eyes automatically lighting up. I wiggle my eyebrows. "Good, right?"

Blake nods while chomping the rest down in three quick bites. Hot damn, he just inhaled the thing! I'm honestly kind of impressed.

"That was—" Blake's shoulders relax as he leans into his chair, his face glowing, almost serene. "Borderline magical."

I chuckle, grabbing the empty container and tossing it in the trash. "Better thansalted chicken?"

"Much," he says, wiping chutney off the corners of his mouth. "Thank you, Cassandra. It was just what I needed."

"Don't mention it," I smile. "Oh, by the way! I've come up with a theme for C.A.N." I perch myself on the side of his desk. "What do you think of Pearson & Associates presents Gatsby: A Night in the Roaring 20s?!"

Blake smacks his lips, his eyes circling the room as he thinks. "I'm not sure...you're basically suggesting that we host a costume party. I don't think that is appropriate for our clientele."

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