Page 37 of Love Not Qualified

We moved past the mass of employees on the ground floor, my steps falling close to Mr. Graves’. The bodyguard at the entrance greeted his boss, then slid the doors open for us.

The wind hit at my ribcage and blood rose into my cheeks at the sharp slice of the cold air. I sucked in a breath and fastened my pace, hoping his car was somewhere close.

I was so stunned by his decision I had forgot to put my coat on.

He strode forward on the pavement, then snuck between two cars, glancing left and right. After a few cars passed, he got inside a grey BMW parked a step outside of the building. I followed him, pulling the polished handle of the door before I got inside and looped the seatbelt around my body.

Two seconds in the spine-chilling air and I was already shaking. The air inside my cheap apartment was as unforgiving as the one outside, but unlike right now, I was usually wearing my whole wardrobe to get through the night.

Mr. Graves brought the engine to life and turned the heat on for my seat before he did the same to his. “You should’ve grabbed a coat on our way out.”

Smartass.

I should’ve.

The drive to Gorig took about fifteen minutes and Mr. Graves and I were as silent as the dead. Every time he breathed out, the scent of alcohol tingled my nostrils.

“Do you have chewing gum?” I asked the moment I realized I also left my purse at work. If I wasn’t in such a hurry, I would’ve had my strawberry pack with me.

His head snapped in my direction. “No, but I have some paper mints. ”

I nodded. “That’ll do.” Though it was going to take away the chewing part.

He tilted his hand and opened the armrest, then handed me the paper mint case. I popped one into my mouth and stretched it to him. “Want one?”

“No,” he hummed.

I bit my bottom lip, glancing out the window where the Gorig building was. “You should take one.” Again, his head jerked to mine and his eyes squinted on me. I fidgeted in my seat, swallowing harshly. “It’s not my business what you do in your free time, but I don’t think talking to a potential partner while oozing alcohol would give them a good impression.”

Mr. Graves’ jaw twitched uncontrollably and before I knew it, he snatched the paper mints out of my grip and threw three on his tongue.

“I’m sorry?—”

“Let’s go,” he said, then got out of the car and closed the door shut after him.

My eyelids lowered on my eyes.

Now he was going to hate me and probably fire me. I just hoped he was smart enough to realize I did it for him.

I didn’t mean to offend him, but I couldn’t keep my mouth shut knowing where we were headed. Today was truly his last shot to partner with Gorig, and I preferred to not give him any other reason than the obvious to refuse us.

What did he want me to do? Send his ship sailing to drown?

As much as he was bothered by my comment, I was at peace because I did everything that depended on me to make this work.

My eyes swept to Mr. Graves. He had his eyes pointed ahead and every muscle in his body tensed.

I restrained a sigh.

THIRTEEN

TRISTAN

After showing up at the office hungover every day, I thought I learned how to hide the evidence of my late-night activities well enough. I always had the same disciplined routine after drinking at night.

Shower. Brush teeth. Wake up. Brush teeth.

And until now, I was sure it was an effective routine since not a single soul seemed to notice. There was also the chance that this whole time I had ‘alcoholic’ written on my forehead, but no one had the courage to say anything.

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