Page 52 of The Forever Rule

Doing okay? Do I need to save you?

“It’s almost lunchtime, so I’ll leave you be, but I’m not going to lie and say I didn’t see whose name was on your phone screen.”

I blushed and shook my head. “I’m sorry. It’s not whatyou think.” I paused. “Not that I know what you’re thinking right now.”

He just laughed, shaking his head. “She’s family. Apparently. It’s not like it’s espionage. You’re not spying on us for another company. She’s your best friend.”

“And I don’t usually take personal texts during the day. And frankly, I got fired for espionage before. So I’m not going to do it again. Even though I didn’t do it the first time,” I blurted.

His face went dark again. “We can fight back you know.”

“And you want me to, what…get my old job back? No. I’m sure that he would find other ways to get me out. And I needed to leave. I can’t go back to that now that I see how you guys work.”

“Well, that makes me happy to hear. But we Cages hate liars. Funny right? Considering what my dad did.” He paused and frowned. “I can’t believe I just said that out loud.”

“I’m not even going to question that, because I know it’s not my business.”

Even though technically it could have been. Considering his father, the liar, having died had clearly affected my life. But in the end, I wasn’t the one hurt by it. No, that was the man in front of me, and the woman currently texting me.

“As for Isabella?” He continued. “You know her more than I do.”

Was that a question? No, I wasn’t sure where he was going with that. “You’re going to figure out whoshe is soon. That’s the whole point of your dinners, right?”

He shrugged. “I guess. But this isn’t something you can really prepare for.”

“Well she’s my best friend. And it is a small world.”

“And we’re all part of it. Welcome to Cage Enterprises, Blakely. We’re really happy you’re here. Even though things are a little messy.”

I shook my head at that and went back to work after I texted a quick check-in with Isabella. I was fine, and she didn’t have to worry about me. At least not here.

When lunch rolled around, I went to the company cafeteria, grateful that the company served food. I hadn’t known exactly how I was supposed to deal with my breaks or anything for the day, considering it was day one and I was already working hard on true projects, but Garcia had mentioned that people eat at the cafeteria, they bring their own food, or they go out. The Cages tried to make it a family affair, where you didn’t feel like you were forced to eat with your coworker, or work through lunch. Although Garcia had mentioned the bosses usually worked through lunch.

I picked up a salad and sparkling water, and went to go sit in the corner, by the windows of the high-rise, and look at the mountains. They always calmed me, even though they were so vast and immense that it seemed as if it was a little too much.

You felt small and insignificant, at least in the grand scheme of things. And I supposed that only made sense considering where I stood now.

“Is this seat available?” a deep voice asked.

I froze, trying to keep my breath under control. I looked up to see Aston standing there, that dark suit of his molded to his body in just such a perfect way that it worried my senses.

“Yes, I don’t really know anyone yet.”

He raised a brow much like his brother and took the seat in front of me. He had some form of wrap and diet soda, and I shook my head.

“This is all surreal.”

“Pretty much. But I don’t always work through lunch like Garcia said.”

I blushed. “You heard that?”

“I hear everything,” he said with a laugh. “I’m not a growly boss.” He paused. “I’m notyourboss actually,” he said softly.

I couldn’t feel any eyes on me, as people were talking among themselves, moving in and out of the room. When Flynn came in to sit with another group, I realized that though the Cage brothers sometimes worked through lunch, they also sat with their teams. So maybe this wasn’t unusual. And yet I couldn’t help but wonder if it was.

“So how’s your first day?” he asked, as he unwrapped his sandwich.

“Busy. You guys are sure throwing a lot of trust at me.”

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