Page 41 of The Forever Rule

Why the hell was I jealous of my brother? It wasn’t like Blakely was mine. However James was her boss, and that meant nothing could happen.

Not like anything could happen with us. There was nous. I had put the nail in that coffin quite nicely.

“I’m only going to say this once,” James continued, “Blakely, I’m so glad that you’re here, and we will get your paperwork done as soon as you’re out of this office. However, as I hate awkward situations, why don’t the two of you talk for just a moment before you do that?”

“There’s really no need.”

“And you love awkward situations,” I put in.

A laugh escaped Blakely, and I smiled. And when our gazes met, she immediately turned away, and I sighed. I deserved that.

“I will be in the office across the hall,” James said after a moment, hands in pockets. “When you’re ready, Blakely. You can go over your paperwork and everything with my admin and myself. And you can start on Monday.”

“Thank you, Mr. Cage.”

“Call me James.” He moved forward and held out his hand. Blakely shook it, and for some reason I wanted to rip my brother’s arm off.

Okay, maybe I was acting like an alpha male. I really needed to get control over myself.

James opened the door, and left it open, giving both of us pointed looks, before walking out. That meant I wasn’t about to close the door again.

“You don’t have to worry, I’m not going to make this any more awkward,” she said after a moment.

“There’s not going to be an issue. I am just sorry that you were forced out of your job to begin with.”

“Honestly, I was going to try to find a new place anyway. He wasn’t a good man to work for.”

I sighed. “My brother’s the best.”

“So I won’t be working with you at all?” she asked and winced. “Mostly because I don’t want it to be awkward. Not because of anything else.”

I sighed, and really wished James had closed that door. “I’m sorry.”

She stared at me then and let out a hollow laugh. “I was a little resentful of you for these past three months, which is like no time at all. But we’re both adults, and I realize that you have a life of your own, one that has changed so abruptly, I can’t even imagine.”

I swallowed hard, knowing I didn’t deserve her niceties. “I’m sorry I didn’t call,” I repeated.

“And I’m sorry about your father.”

Ice slid over me, a reminder of exactly why we were in this situation. “I’m the head of the family now. And though we aren’t in regency England where I have to protect the estate and livelihood of my siblings, it’s exactly like that,” I said with a laugh.

“And now you have more siblings,” she said softly.

“So I see you’re watching the news?” I asked dryly.

Blakely sighed and picked up her bag, clearly ready to go speak with James. “Sometimes, but not about you. You should know that I’ve already told James this.”

“What?” I asked, uneasy.

“My best friend in the world is Isabella.”

And with a snap, the door finally clicked closed on anything that would’ve happened with Blakely. There was no way it would ever have worked out to begin with.

“I see,” I said icily, and Blakely just laughed. Laughed in my face.

“You and Isabella are so alike it’s a little scary.”

I wasn’t sure what to make of that. “I don’t know her, so I guess you are going to be the expert in that.”

---