Page 47 of The Enemies With Benefits Deal

CHAPTER 17

GRAYSON

Lara looks up from her computer as I stride into the office, feeling better than I have in weeks. Things with Jade are better than ever, we’re getting close to the date of the relaunch, and rumors are flying around the office that Dad is going to name the next CEO at the party.

Lara hands me one of the coffees on the corner of her desk. “Jade is already here and working on some of the last-minute paperwork. She said if you need her, she’s going to be in the conference room.”

I nod. “Not right now, at least. I have to look over some of the ad campaigns Mac sent over, and then I’m heading down to the kitchen to make something to eat.”

“I could have grabbed you one of those bagels from the cart down the street on my way in.”

“I don’t think I’m craving one of Gino’s bagels today. I have some leftovers from lunch yesterday that should make a good enough breakfast.”

Lara rolls her eyes. “You know, you should take some time to eat some real food in the morning at home before you come to work. Maybe whip yourself up some eggs and bacon or something.”

“And miss out on the half an Italian sub sitting in the fridge calling my name? I don’t think so. I need that sandwich. It’s going to be the highlight of my day.”

Lara smirks and leans back in her seat, crossing her arms. “Are you sure the highlight of your day isn’t Jade? You two seem to have gotten pretty close over the last few weeks. You’re always leaving work together.”

My lips press together, and I look around, making sure that nobody else has heard her.

There wouldn’t be a problem with me and Jade together, but I don’t want people to think less of her because we are. Maybe not together, but we are something to each other.

I just don’t know what that something is.

I don’t think either of us do.

Lara snorts and points at me. “You should see the look on your face right now.”

“You know, you might need to be fired. I could be looking for a new assistant. Someone who doesn’t look at me first thing in the morning and point out the fact that she’s known about my secret relationship all along.”

“If you didn’t want me to know about it, you shouldn’t have been making googly eyes at her from the moment you saw her.”

“Look, I’ve known Jade for a long time, and there’s history there. We saw each other again after a long time of not seeing each other, and one thing led to another.”

“And now you’re in love with her.”

I cough, eyes bulging as I look down at her. “Why would you say that?”

“Because I know these things. And I may just be your assistant, but I’m not oblivious. In all the years I’ve worked for you, you’ve only started going home on time and actually having a life since she’s been here.”

“I don’t know what part of that would lead you to think that I’m in love with her, but you would be wrong about that.”

Lara pushes back from the desk, crossing her arms and looking up at me. “I’m not wrong about it, and you know it. The pair of you are both just too stubborn to see a good thing.”

“It’s not a good thing. It ends after the launch party, and then we’re going to go our own separate ways.”

Lara stands up and plants a finger in the middle of my chest. “I’m going to make this very clear to you. If you let that woman walk out of your life, it’s because you’re too scared to go after what you want.”

“And why would I be scared of that?”

“Because you’ve crafted your entire life around what you think everyone wants you to be.” Lara says the words like they’re facts, each one hitting home harder than the last.

“I think I’m going to go and have my coffee and get the rest of my sandwich before you tear my entire character apart.”

She smiles and shakes her head, but I can see the disappointment shining in her eyes. “One of these days, Grayson, you’re going to have to stop pushing away everyone who dares to care about you.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

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