Page 83 of Dear John

Right. The CEO was going to poison me in his own office with other people all around. That made a lot of sense. He took the seat across from me, but no matter how much I tried to ignore the fact that there was an empty glass that he purposely discarded, I couldn’t.

“Isla?”

“Hmm?” I asked, jerking my attention back to the present.

“Still thinking about that scotch?” Jerry laughed.

I chuckled along with him, but it only made me more uncomfortable. I was freaking out about nothing. Kavanaugh had gotten under my skin and in my head. This was absolutely ridiculous!

I focused on the meeting, going over my ideas with Tish, his wife, and describing in greater detail what I could do for them. But I couldn’t get my mind off that damn glass, and every time I had a chance, I glanced back over at it.

“These ideas are fantastic. We’d love to bring you on board,” Jerry beamed.

I smiled hesitantly. I wanted the job so badly, but my damn mind wouldn’t stop going back to the elevator and all Kavanaugh’s questions, and that damn glass. “I’ll have to think about it.”

I stood, but he was on his feet just as fast. “We could offer you an apartment out here,” Jerry said quickly—a little too quickly for my liking.

“An apartment? You mean I would have to work out here?”

“Of course…to cultivate a relationship with the company.”

“I’m not sure that’s the right move for me.”

“We’d pay for it. And utilities,” he added.

“And, of course, a driver,” Tish added on.

Those tiny hairs on the back of my neck were standing on end. They were too eager, too desperate for me to be here. It just didn’t feel right. But I worried if I said something now, theymight kidnap me and force me to work for them without pay. But Fox was right outside the door, and I knew he was watching.

I straightened my spine and smiled at them. “It really is a great offer, but I don’t think this is the right move for me at this time. I could refer some excellent designers to you.”

They both looked defeated, but it was all wrong. Something about the disappointment was off. I needed to get out of here.

“I really appreciate the offer. I’ll be out of the hotel by the end of the day.”

I turned on my heel before they could say anything else and got out of there. Fox was already on his feet and waiting for me as I practically stormed out of the office. His hand was on my elbow, guiding me to the elevator with determination. So, it wasn’t just me. Right?

As soon as the doors closed, I sagged against the wall, rubbing my temples. “I just turned down one of the best offers I was ever going to get.”

“Well, you did what you thought was right. You know, things always look better after shawarma. Wanna get some?”

My gaze snapped up to his, and suddenly, I felt very stupid. To everyone else, this was just a job. They would go about their days as if nothing had happened, but I had just turned down a lucrative deal that would not only put me on the map, but was a huge investment in my future. And it was all because of these crazy psychos that entered my life and made me think everyone was out to get me.

When the doors opened, I stormed out, angry with myself for turning down the deal. So what if the guy put down the glass? Maybe he had a favorite that he always used. And maybe they were so eager because they needed me just as much as I needed them! And that office space—Jerry had told me he wanted to show me how much they were expanding. Yet, all I saw was aplace for them to murder me because I had a boyfriend who only saw the worst in things.

I couldn’t go back in there now. What would I say?I’m sorry for acting like a psycho, but my boyfriend thought you were trying to kill me.Yeah, that would totally make them want to take me back.

“Isla, would you slow down?” Fox shouted behind me as I rushed to the curb to flag down a cab. “What about that shawarma?”

I spun around and pinned him with a glare. “Do I look like I want shawarma?”

His brows furrowed as he studied my face. “It might help with the constipation.”

“I’m not constipated,” I snapped.

“Really? Then you should really try to change your face. It’s giving off all the wrong signals.”

I stomped my foot, not caring that I looked like a toddler. “I’m pissed, Fox. I just gave up the deal of a lifetime because I let you and your cronies get in my head!”

---