Page 30 of Finding Out

Erin propped herself up against her desk, her legs out in front of her so they were almost between Tom’s.

My chest pinched at the obvious intimacy between the two of them. I’d never known them to date, but that didn’t mean anything. I knew nothing about my boss’s social life or that of my best friend’s father’s. Apart from this weekend, when he’d been sleeping with me.

Internally, I chastised myself for getting hung up on him. I did not fixate on hookups like this. I typically had no trouble moving on.

So why was I sitting here picturing clawing her eyes out?

Forcing myself to maintain perfect posture, I tucked my hands in my lap. Tom kept his gaze on the woman across from him, almost like I wasn’t in the room. My stomach churned, and apprehension rose in my throat.

Get it together.

How would I ever interact with this man again? Unprofessional and immature wouldn’t fly. That wasn’t who I was, so I cleared my throat.

“What can I do for you, Erin?” I forced a smile.

“You did a great job this weekend. We talked a little about that this morning.” She dropped her arms and grasped the edge of her desk oneither side of her hips. “Even with all the last-minute changes of plans, the professionalism you showed while taking over this assignment has been evident.”

I fought a wince. God, if she knew that I’d slept with a client, she definitely wouldn’t be praising me like this.

“However…” She looked at Tom, who sat back in his chair and crossed his arms. “There is something we want to discuss.”

Stomach dropping, I swallowed. “Okay.” I looked between the two.

Erin seemed like her normal self, but Tom wouldn’t even look at me. He hadn’t told her about us, had he? No. He had no reason to. So what the hell?

“Pat’sbeen limiting your new clients.”

“Uh.” That was true. “Yes.” I wanted to expand my skill base. Taking on our VIPs had been part of my job for the last three years, but I wanted to track down the art and run the auctions. Even borrow art from the museums and artists for private viewing parties. I wanted to run a gallery or an auction house someday. Not just scour the world for art for my own clients. So I’d asked to diversify. I wanted the big fish.

“I know you’ve been shrinking your client list, but I’m going to request you take on a new one. Tom has plans, and we’d like you to help him make them happen.” She beamed at him, her smile far too bright.

And why wouldn’t it be? I’d teased him about being an old bottle of wine, and it was the honest truth. The man had aged well. He was sexy, sophisticated, rich, smart, and fucking incredible in bed. The full package.

Jealousy inched up my spine, but I forced it down again.

Erin clearly wanted me to take this job, but did Tom? It was hard to think that could be the case when he wouldn’t even fucking look at me. At first it had been upsetting, but now I was just mad.

I’d wanted this account before I knew the identity of the client. Tom Wilson was the type of VIP I’d dreamed of working with. Larry complained about how often he bought and sold for Mr. Brown, but he was exactly the type of collector I wanted. The type who was lookingfor high-end art. I’d be a dumbass to give it up even if Tom and Erin were involved.

For a moment in time over the weekend, I thought maybe there was something between us. But I had goals, and there was no way in hell I’d let a fling mess them up. This account would boost me, and that was what mattered.

Beside me, Tom was scowling at his shoes.

Careful to school my expression, I turned to my boss and pulled my shoulders back. “I’m happy to help you, Erin.”

“Me,” Tom barked.

Both Erin and I jumped at the tone, and I snapped his way, finding him glaring.

“You’ll be helping me.”

They were the first words he’d uttered since I’d walked into the room, and of course we were back to the snappy demands.

I was over it.

“After this weekend, I hope I’ve proved how effective I am.” I rose to my feet. I’d agreed, and now it was time to bow out of this meeting. “If you send me the file and plans, I’ll get to work.”

“Thanks, Wren.” Erin tucked her long blond hair over her shoulder, her legs shifting to bump Tom’s leg.

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