Page 23 of (Un)Planned

She nodded. “I’m not wired that way. I mean no disrespect—I wish I could handle no strings, but I’m a relationship girl, and you don’t seem like that’s a priority for you.”

For a moment, I thought about arguing and saying I was willing to try. But Calla’s words hit home, and I knew she was right. There was little I could do to contradict her, not when I’d seen the rubble left behind in my last relationship. Calla deserved better than that, someone who could give her everything she wanted and more.

When I didn’t respond, Calla crossed her arms around her waist a little tighter, almost as if she was disappointed. She breathed out slowly. “Jack mentioned that his new secretary wasn’t working out, so if you don’t think we can–”

“No.” As I stood, Calla’s wide eyes met my furious stare. Jack might be one of my closest friends, but his meddlesome ways were starting to outweigh his usefulness. I encroached on her space, making sure there was no question in my mind. “I want you here, Calla. Working with me. Are we clear?”

I expected her to back down, to look at me with the same uneasiness as others did when my anger reared its ugly head, but instead, she rolled her lips together, trying to hide her smile. “I thought…” Her whiskey-colored eyes met mine, filled with a vulnerability that almost broke my resolve. “I thought you’d be relieved to be rid of me.”

“What do you mean?”

She motioned to her outfit, shaking her head. “I thought you wanted someone more professional, someone less….”

“Outspoken?”

“I was going to say enthusiastic, but I guess that works too.” Calla shook her head. “You probably should find someone else. My job is to make your life easier, and I’m afraid I’ve made it messier.” She dropped the smile, her face tensing, as if she was bracing for disappointment. “But I like this job. I like working for you. So if you want me to be more reserved and take a step back, I’ll happily do it.”

I lifted her chin with my fingers, making sure she was looking at me before I spoke. “Calla…I want you to be yourself.” She chuffed, as if she couldn't believe the words. “Yes, your style is different from what I’m used to, but I think it’s what I need.” I motioned around the room. “Look what you’ve done with this place in such a short time. I’d be a fool not to see the effort you’re putting into your job.”

“Thank you, Theo.”

“I mean every word.”

The silence between us started to grow heavy, the tension building back to where it was before. Calla’s eyes gradually lifted, meeting mine apprehensively. All the carefully practiced words fell at my feet, leaving me lost and adrift. All I could hold on to was her gaze.

But just as quickly as it started, it was dashed when Calla pulled away, shaking her head as if she was comingout of a daze. She tugged her hair out of the ridiculous top knot, shaking it out. “Thank God. That bun was giving me a migraine.” She winked at me. “What’s next on the agenda, Sunshine?”

And with one little word, my day instantly turned around.

“And wereyou able to secure the deal?”

The voice droned on in the background as one of my agents bickered with another on the phone. Apparently, they had differing views on how to get their client to commit to their current team. I’d lost track almost twenty minutes ago, unsure if we were still discussing the aging basketball player or the loose-cannon hockey goalie. It was all the same to me. I could fake my interest with the best of them, but sports had never been my specialty for a reason.

Three times a week, we had a phone conference with the LA office, and all the heads of the departments informed the partners of any major deals or upcoming events. However, ever since we branched into two offices, these meetings had devolved into a pissing contest.

As the two men argued, I sat back in my chair, steepling my fingers as I looked out onto the city. Were my days always going to be like this? Trapped in this office while the world hummed around me? Probably, but that was what I had wanted, what I had strived for.

So why the fuck was it bothering me now?

A sudden kick to my shin snapped me out of my thoughts, and my eyes narrowed at Calla, who was sitting next to me with an arched brow. She tapped her pen on thelegal pad in her lap, her handwriting in the margin.Something more interesting out there?

I scoffed, not used to being called out in meetings. Marie would never be so bold. She’d be too focused on taking notes, beating herself up if she missed a single word.

Calla, on the other hand, had been drawing along the side of her paper, only noting what she deemed necessary or things I had to handle. I took the pen from her hand, scribbling next to her comment.At least I’m not doodling all over my paper.I drew a line up to a stick figure.Anyone I know?

She smirked before taking her pen back.Just a certain boss who likes to make his employees pee their pants in terror.

I was about to respond when someone else’s voice broke through the conversation.

“That’s bullshit!”

I snapped back to attention at the sharp curse, narrowing my eyes at Jack on the opposite end of the table. His fist was wrapped tightly around his pen, and he was glaring at the phone.

A chuckle broke through the line. “What can I say, Jackie boy? Ricardo wants to go with a real agent. He said you weren’t able to secure a three-year deal. I got it in a week.”

“Because you’re a fucking sniveling–”

“Enough,” I snapped, narrowing my eyes at Jack. “That’s it for today. We’ll meet again on Friday and discuss the matter further.” I leaned forward in my seat. “I suggest your office read the agency bylaws before we speak again. Interagency poaching is frowned upon.”

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