Page 62 of The Wrong Promise

Jobe clears his throat. “I’ll start with introductions. I’m Jobe Hendricks, the new company executive director. Thank you for taking time out of your day to be here.”

“Love his accent,” whispers come from behind me.

“I’d do him,” a woman says, but I don’t turn.

He’s not on the market, bitch, but after this meeting, he might be.

Jobe’s eyes find mine, and I narrow mine at him. Bastard. How dare he embarrass me in front of my work friends whom he has met. I understand the secrecy, but he could trust me with this information since it’s integral to my career. Because right now, I feel like I’m nothing more to him than a convenience to his business deals. And it really was just sex between us. Nothing more. He never felt close to me on an emotional level. Never considered trusting me with this information. I have tuned him out and don’t hear a single word he says.

It clearly cements our fake relationship—he really doesn’t see me as anything more than a temporary lover.

He would have known how this would be received.

Poor fucking form, Jobe, and I don’t care that you’re my new boss. I really can’t stand the sight of you right now.

“I want to invite you all to be part of the team to revolutionize the London market. Warburton is one of the many companies Hendricks Real Estate is invested in, along with Hendricks Capital Management that my brother,Franklin, manages.” His eyes scan the room, and I lower my gaze, refusing to acknowledge him. “There’ll be whispers about the merger but I assure you, if you’re in this room, then your job is safe unless your behavior is questionable and your work ethic poor. New contracts will roll out over the next month. I’m employing an extra executive assistant to accelerate the process. If you have any questions, email Gretchen. She’ll hand everything over to her replacement when she is on maternity leave.” He looks around the room as if assessing everyone’s reaction. “Unfortunately, today is not a day that I can stay and answer questions, but we will address everyone soon. So, please excuse me. The Board is waiting for me. I look forward to meeting each of you in the near future.” His gaze meets mine, but I give him nothing but my best poker face as I stare through him as though he is a ghost to me.

The fucker.

Jobe leaves the room, and the staff stands, whispers turning into louder conversation. Some people threaten to leave, citing an uncertain future.He could have handled it differently. Or was it the Board’s decision?

“Are you okay?” Piper whispers. Her blue eyes are full of understanding. I shake my head. “He kept looking at you.”

Slowly, I close my eyes before opening them again. “Can we go?”

“Sure.” She creates a path through the crowd, and I follow her to the door as we head back to the office. “You know, everyone will be taking their time coming back. Let’s head down and get a coffee. Caffeine doesn’t fix everything, but it helps when alcohol isn’t a choice.”

“I’ll need fifty fucking cups,” I mutter.

She turns and smiles, looping her arm through mine. “You need to vent, and if it takes fifty cups, so be it.”

“Thank you.” I squeeze her hand as we head out of theoffice block and cross the road to the café. I’m old enough to handle the crap the universe throws at me. However, I’ve never been any good with surprises. From being spooked by my best friend telling me she’s pregnant and our lives spiraling in opposite directions, it’s unexpected dishonesty that destroys me the most. Furthermore, his lie is an embarrassment I can’t handle.

I take a seat while Piper orders the coffee. As soon as she slides into her chair, she stares at me. “Tell me everything because there is a lot going on behind the scenes you haven’t told me about.”

“You’re right.”

And I do. I tell her everything.

She reaches across and takes my hand. “So you’ve fallen for him?”

I swipe a single tear from my cheek. “If I’m being honest, I’ve always liked him. It was easier to hate him than fall for the bad guy. One who would never be satisfied with monogamy.”

“But he did commit to you even though he said it was a fake relationship.”

“Then he’s a damn good actor. He admitted to a final date when the show ends, so…”

“Hey, I get it. I also fall for the wrong guy. Promises me the world and then does something to ruin everything we had and turn it into something meaningless.”

“We’re the queens of picking the wrong guy.” I force a smile. “Today…” I shake my head, “… he could’ve mentioned it, then I wouldn’t look like an idiot in front of you all. Worst of all, it made me look like I was keeping it from you.”

“I didn’t think that.”

“George did.”

She tilts her head. “George is George. He’d sell his soul for gossip.”

“Now. If people find out we had something, if we did…” I shake my head to rid the painful thoughts, “… they’ll judge me. Believe there is favoritism. You know what people say about women who sleep with the boss.”

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