Page 23 of Burning Your Lies

I settle into the seat opposite him. “Ready and raring to get back to work. What is the first order of business?”

His chin juts towards the new desk on the opposite side of the room. “You can spend the morning setting up your desk and completing some online training.”

My eyes move from the white desk to his amused expression. “I thought I get my own area? Francesca always had one.”

“I think I’d much prefer having my PA in the same room. It makes it much easier to communicate with her.”

Bullshit.He used to call Francesca when he needed her, and she’d come running. This is because he doesn’t trust me.

“Why are you doing this?” I ask, with a softness he doesn’t deserve. “Are you trying to come between me and Hux? Is this because I chose him?”

He looks surprised. “I believe I’m the one that ended things.”

I roll my eyes at him. “No. You sent me to an insane asylum.”

“I’d hardly call it an asylum.”

My icy gaze meets his amused one. “No. You’d call it prison.” Remembering the plan, I shake my head and plaster a smile on. “It’s fine. We can work in the same room. It’s not like we’re holding onto the past.”

He hums in agreement. “Very true.”

“How is Elise? I hope I can see her soon.”

Xavier leans back in his seat and observes me. “You’re most welcome to visit her at home.”

Goosebumps rise on my skin at the thought of that house. For a moment, Xavier and I are sitting at that sixteen-seater table, surrounded by red roses, a game of chess ongoing and a look of evil on his face. I shake my head. “I’d rather be able to take her out. Do something fun with her.”

When he leans forward, I, on instinct, lean back. “Sounds like someone is still holding onto the past.”

Looking down, I find the confidence I need. “I learned my lesson, Xavier. I just want to forget everything. All the things we did, all the things we said… I just want to forget. So,thisneeds towork. I want a normal life; married to Hux and time with Elise. I don’t care about anything else. Can we do that?”

The burn of his stare doesn’t waver from my face. Then, he offers a handshake. “A truce, Mrs Ray-Hayes.”

I slide my hand into his. “A truce.”

“He’s been sulkingallday,” Francesca complains. “Please pay a visit to your husband.”

I flick through the pages to make sure they’re all there. “Xavier’s kept me busy. I’ll stop by later. He’s not being too hard on you, is he? Because if he is, I’ll spank him later,” I wink.

She pretends to gag. “I do not want that image in my head, thank you. He’s been fine. He’s hardly said two words to me.”

“Trust me, appreciate it while it lasts because soon he will have you running to the other side of London for nonsense.”

“How’s things with Xavier?”

I shrug. “Fine. Normal. It’s not so bad.”

“I told you,” she gloats as I walk away.

As I enter the office, I stop in my tracks. First it’s because of the red-head laughing with Xavier. Then it’s because Elise is running towards me. I break out of my surprise and stoop to squeeze her tight. “Hi, baby.”

She holds up her banana. “Banana! Yummy!” She takes a bite out of the fruit.

“Can I have some? I’mveryhungry.”

A gentle giggle is followed by her shoving the fruit in my face. “Yummy?”

I rub my belly. “Veryyummy. Do you want to see something?” I whisper. Her eyes light up as we walk towards my desk. Settlingin my chair, I pull her onto my lap and pick up the photo frame. “This is me and you. You were just a small baby.”

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