Page 20 of Grace

My cheeks heat and I nod. “Yes, I did. It all goes so quickly, but I truly like this job.”

“Good, but don’t turn into a bitch like Stacy,” she jokes. “I don’t have anything on you yet.” She laughs, but somehow, her words cut me as my mind takes me to my new crush—Mr. Brooks.

“There’s nothing to find out.” I chuckle as nerves swirl in my stomach.

“There always is.” She winks. “Don’t forget the meeting this Sunday.” And then she turns on her heel, walking back to her cubicle as I struggle to pull myself together.

Her words don’t register as I’m stuck. There’s nothing, nothing to find out because nothing is going to happen. Why would something happen, right…?

It takes a moment, but as I get my mind in order, I throw myself into work, getting every report done, printed, and ready for Mr. Brooks to check when he—

“Grace, why are you here?” His voice startles me.

I struggle to find my words. “Wh–What?”

He grins, amusement glinting in his eyes. “It’s lunch time. You’re the only one here.”

“Oh,” I say as I glance around the floor. “Right, I was just caught up in work. Must have lost track of time.”

I smile up at him as he gazes down. His jaw tenses as his eyes drop to my lips, and I wonder if I’m seeing right. I can’t be. He could have anyone he wants. He wouldn’t settle for me. That late night visit was a fluke. It’s… it’s nothing. It can’t be anything at all.

“Grace,” he breathes, and my stomach tightens, my thighs quiver as heat rises within me.

“Yes?” I whisper as his eyes remain focused on my lips.

Footsteps rush toward us, and as a voice slices through the air, Mr. Brooks blinks and steps back.

“Dad, can I… oh, Grace…” Sebastian’s voice makes all the warmth leave my body, and I straighten myself, trying to keep my head up.

“Hi, Bash,” I say, my lungs stinging as my hands start to tremble.

Sebastian stares at me, then the desk, and back at me. His brows twitch as his lips part and close. “Wait… is she the reason Stacy is—”

“That’s none of your business.” Daniel cuts him off and turns to his office.

“What did you do?” Bash asks, his voice laced with venom as his eyes blacken with anger.

I lean back, my stare dropping to my screen. “I didn’t do anything,” I say, my voice soft.

“I don’t know what game you’re playing, what you did… Why are you still here?” He shakes his head, storms after his dad, and the door flings shut. The glass windows vibrate from the impact, and I finally breathe again.

And yet, I wonder what I’m doing here…

With a sharp breath, I jolt up and grab my bag, wanting to be anywhere but here.

With every step I take, I think about what I should do. What to do about Bash, his dad… I’m not sure what I can do, actually. Not until I know what these weird feelings are, why I’m somehow attracted to Daniel.

Lunch barely clears my head at all. I want to scream in frustration. I shouldn’t stay working here, but I need the money. I need the job, and no one is going to hire an employee who quits after a few weeks, so Bash doesn’t get to force me out of this. I won’t let him.

That thought is enough to keep my head held high as I walk into the office and see Daniel leaving his office. He motions to the conference room. “Important meeting. Now.”

“Yes,” I say, remembering not to say ‘sir’ this time.

I drop my purse in my chair, grab my notebook, and hurry to the conference room. I sit next to Mr. Brooks.

“Explain,” he orders.

An accountant steps up and looks around, then starts his presentation. A partner or someone joins in. I take notes, trying to stay caught up, but they’re moving so quickly.

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