Page 9 of Grace

“Since you have been doing her work, you should get the position. It comes with a raise and additional PTO. Please let me know in advance if you plan on using it. Just to be clear, youdon’t have access to it for six weeks,” he informs as if my whole brain isn’t broken.

My eyes prick with hot tears until one makes an escape. “Two months.”

“Grace?”

“I thought…” I shake my head and turn around. Mr. Brooks gently rubs my shoulder. “I… I think I need to go on my break.”

“Take your time. You have an hour break now with your new position. I’ll be putting the paperwork through today,” he says.

“How…?” I shake my head. “I’ll get myself in check.”

“You’re human, Grace.” Mr. Brooks softens his tone, his fingers hooking under my chin, tilting my head slightly up as he says his next words. “You deserve better than my son cheating on you and better than being talked down to when you’re doing wonderfully. I won’t have you working under someone who doesn’t appreciate you for what you offer and who you are.”

I blink a few times and take a slow breath as the hurt fades and that heat I recognize swirls inside me. “Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Brooks. I appreciate the… the chance to show what I’m capable of. Would you like anything for lunch?” I say, and his touch drops.

His other hand brushes mine, and a cold card nudges between my fingers. He bends down, and his lips tease my ear next. His voice is low, husky, warm. “I’d like you to show me your favorite restaurant and to remember that you deserve better, Grace. Sebastian doesn’t deserve your tears. You’re capable of plenty. I look forward to seeing myself proven correct.”

My skin tingles at his words, goosebumps trailing along it. “Okay,” I muster.

He gently wipes under each of my eyes. “Don’t give Stacy the satisfaction of seeing you upset. Since I’m asking you to pick up lunch, this won’t count as your lunch break. Calm down, process,and then you can take your lunch after you return withours. The pin on my card is 9667. No price limit.”

Why the hell is he being so nice to me?

He strokes my cheek again, gazes into my eyes, then disengages as if nothing has happened or changed—as if he didn’t completely shake my world.

five

The chatter surrounding me and the delicious scents of fresh food don’t distract me enough as all I can think about is,what’s he doing to me, and how?

My shoulders drop as I wait in line to pay for lunch. I know he only wanted me to grab something special because he feels bad for me. But all I want to do is stuff my face with ice cream, and I don’t think that counts as lunch.

So instead, I order two light carpaccio salads with steak and sweet potato fries with truffle mayonnaise so it fits with the truffle dressing in the salad.

I fidget with the hem of my shirt as the line moves slowly. My mind races, trying to figure the exact moment when Bash started cheating on me. What was the moment where he believed I wasn’t good enough for him? Or maybe he just finally realized I wasn’t what he wanted.

When we started dating, I was… shocked someone like him wanted to go out with me. I was still a virgin and was never trulyinterested in anyone, but he was so sweet to me, made me feel worthy somehow. I wasn’t being overlooked for once. I gave him everything I could give, but he always wantedmore.

I tried to give it to him, pleasing him how he told me to, but I just felt disgusted after it. I didn’t feel the pleasure and warmth people said I should feel after sex. I didn’t feel desired or beautiful. It felt… it felt like I was just a hole for him.

The realization that is carried by those words hits me hard. Tears brim my eyes, ones I blink away as I stand by the register.

“Order 24,” I say and hand over the card.

“It’s almost ready,” the guy says as he runs the card and hands me the key pad to type in the code. The fresh scents of fries and steak reach me, and my stomach rumbles. As I get the card back, the chef doesn’t make me wait long to claim my bags of food.

“Enjoy,” the cashier says and glances behind me before calling out, “Next!”

With two bags in hand, I leave and quicken my pace to go back to the office. I know I read it wrong, and I shouldn’t have grabbed the same lunch for both of us, as if I’m expecting Mr. Brooks to let me eat with him.

He’s probably too busy, and why would he even want me around during lunch? He was nice, and that’s the end of it. I’m sure he would like some alone time now.

Plus, how am I supposed to be near him when all that comes to mind is what I found on his computer?Petite redheads. Perhaps if I check again, I’ll find something else. Maybe then I can put it to rest. However, this does feel like a nice distraction from my ex and his new… well, not super new, since they have been together for two… okay, I’m spiraling again.

The elevator doors slide open and I step out, heading straight for Mr. Brooks’s office. The peace and quiet buzz through me as most employees are out for lunch, but it isn’t enough to calm the rising nerves as I notice Stacy’s bag on her desk.

I dare to glance around, wondering if Sebastian is here somewhere too. My hold on the two paper bags tightens as I stand in front of Mr. Brooks’s closed door. I listen to find out if he’s alone, but no sounds filter through the door and his blinds are closed. With a deep breath, I lift my hand with a bag and knock twice before my hands drop to the handle. Unsure whether I should step inside, I linger.

“You’re still here?” A voice that rakes through my spine and tightens around my heart makes me still. “I thought he would fire you on the spot.” Bash laughs as I turn slightly, just enough to see him.

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