Page 53 of The Forever Rule

After he swallowed and took a drink, he cleared his throat. “James must like what you do. We didn’t hire you because of who you are, who you know. We hired youbecause you’re damn good at your job. And James wanted to hire you before. I didn’t know that, but then again, things were interesting at that time, weren’t they?”

I did my best to hold back my blush, but I knew I had failed.

“I guess things are a little weird. I mean, I don’t even know how exactly everything works here, but gossip always runs through businesses, and floors, it doesn’t matter where you work. They’re going to talk.”

“And they do that. They all want to know exactly what’s going on with the Cages, but they don’t outright ask.”

Surprised he’d even said the words, I frowned at him. “And do you want to talk about it with me?” I asked, only being slightly sarcastic.

“Yes. I do.”

I blinked, confused. “Why?”

“I have no idea. But that’s probably a mistake after all.”

“Probably,” I said, playing with my salad, no longer hungry.

“If you want to talk about it, about everything that happened, I’d love to hear.”

“And I won’t burden you with it?” he asked, seemingly taking a step back.

“That’s what friends are for,” I said, trying to put some lightness in my tone. “It won’t be a burden.”

He tilted his head and studied my face. “Friends.”

“Aston, I can’t ruin this,” I whispered.

“I know. I know.”

“But I’ll listen? Because you’re not my boss. And maybeTheCage needs somebody to vent to that isn’t his brothers.”

After all, we couldn’t be anything more, not when we each had so much going on in our lives. Right?

“Okay then. And I take it your number hasn’t changed?” he asked, and I smiled.

“It hasn’t. I’m surprised you haven’t deleted it from your phone.” I winced. “Sorry about that.”

“No no. It was rude of me. And maybe that’s why we should talk.”

Suddenly uneasy, I nodded, as we finished our lunch. Thankfully we only talked about the job, and when his admin came to take him back to the office, an emergency call on the line, I cleaned up my mess and went back to my work. Because this is what I was good at, what I needed to be good at.

I couldn’t let anything else get in the way.

When I finished my first day, slightly elated, slightly worried, I made my way back home, texted Isabella that I survived, and immediately called my mom.

“Hello there, baby. How was your first day at work?”

“Great. They’re a good company.”

“I love that you sound surprised at that. But then again, it’s a company that makes millions and billions or whatever however many dollars that is. So of course they’re probably corrupt.”

I laughed. I couldn’t help it. “Or maybe they’re okay.”

“Maybe. As long as you’re safe, my baby.”

“I love you, Mom.”

“I love you too. Your dad’s outside playing with the lawnmower. Do you want me to get him?”

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