Page 37 of Desperate Needs

“Not here, Clementine,” he replied, and winked. “We won’t talk about it until Friday at the close of business.”

Then the imbecile nodded at me, like we were having a moment.

“Uh,” I began, not sure how to react to whatever the man was talking about.

“Anyway, I, um, just sent the rest of the permission you’ll need to take over cyber securities for Dover and Westchester. As you know, every client of Sigma International expects updates in real time and complete transparency from our department. Once you fill out the requests, I can get them approved for you,” I said, trying my best to stay professional.

But what the actual fuck?

I had never in my life looked at Jameson with anything other than proper workplace etiquette and courtesy demanded.

“You got it, Clementine,” he replied, emphasis on my name.

I was really starting to regret not telling him to call my Miss Aziz.

A moment later, my cousin, Andrea, was knocking on the door. I nodded for her to come in and widened my gaze, giving her the look she’d recognize as don’t you fucking dare go anywhere.

“Hey, uh, I have the files you needed,” she said, lifting the black folder she held in her hand.

Likely, it was proofs from Michaela’s son’s christening, since Andrea toyed around with photography on the side.

The woman had more hobbies and interests than anyone else I knew.

But I supposed that came with the territory of being a veritable genius. She had countless awards, degrees, and even a Mensa certificate to prove it.

“Great! Um, thank you, Jameson. That will be all.”

“Until Friday, Clementine,” he said in a stage whisper, and walked past Andrea with a saucy grin on his face.

“What the hell was that about?” she asked, sitting down with a repulsed expression.

“I have no fucking idea, Andy. I mean, he is so gross!” I whispered.

“Tell me about it. Why does he say your name like that?”

“I don’t know. He tried calling me Clem, and I told him my name was Clementine, then he goes and acts like that’s me following some no fraternization thing at work. And somehow the fucker went from there to how he was waiting until my last day to ask me out,” I said, shaking my head in disbelief.

Andrea made a gagging noise, and I snorted. Then we both locked eyes, and we laughed.

Loudly.

Thank fuck for soundproof offices, though that did nothing to stop folks from seeing us bent over and gasping through the completely see through glass walls.

Oh, well.

Sometimes it was good to be the boss’ daughter.

Chapter 16-Connor

I checked the Ulysse Nardin Freak S timepiece on my wrist and frowned.

It was 6:57.

Clementine was almost late.

A dozen unlikely and equally terrifying thoughts drifted through my head.

What if something happened? What if she was hurt? Or sick? Or, God forbid, in an accident?

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