Page 4 of Grace

But it doesn’t come. He watches me silently until Ms. Castain speaks up.

“Good morning, sir. They are waiting for you in the conference hall,” she says, and his eyes drift away from mine as he turns to head to the conference hall.

A shaky breath leaves me as I slowly sit down, trying to cool my red cheeks by pressing my cold fingers on them. I’ve been chastised, and all in front of the man who took a chance on me. The same man whose son just left me.

I swallow and blink a few times, reminding myself that I’m new. I still have a lot to learn, and no matter how much I want to be perfect right away, it’s not possible.

So, I’ll just have to get better and do it quickly.

I can’t fail. I can’t lose my job when I already need a new roommate since Sebastian moved out in record time before paying for this month’s rent.

My eyes water anyway as I say, “I’ll go get the coffee.”

“Hurry up, will you?” she mumbles as she types something on her computer.

Quickly, I grab my bag and head to the elevators. My breathing slowly steadies as I take my phone, needing to distract myself in this small moment. I check my post about the room I have available, and relief travels through me as I see a response by an Ashley, wanting to meet up tomorrow.

That’s what’s important. I can’t stop. I can’t slow down, I can’t let my emotions catch up to me. I just have to act.

As long as I’m busy, I’ll be fine.

Daniel

I knew it was only a matter of time before I ran into her. My son’s ex-girlfriend. I groan as I lean back in my leather chair behind my desk. I should focus on Stacy’s words as she goes over the reports. But I’ve known her long enough to doubt who made them.

“How’s Grace doing?” I ask a question I shouldn’t. Because I shouldn’t care, but with the way she stared up at me, that blush on her cheeks, it tingled down my spine, and I know how dangerous those feelings are.

Stacy clears her throat. “Fine, she’s doing fine.”

My brows knit as the disgust in her tone make me wary. “Fine?”

“She’s young and needs more…guidancethan I thought.”

I huff. “Well, she’s here to helpyouhelpme.”

A position I specifically created for Grace when my son asked if I had a job for his girlfriend, because why would my assistant need an assistant?

“Honestly, I believe someone else would be better suited, sir.”

This time, I chuckle. “You don’t get anyone else.”

She blinks and shifts slightly on her heels. “What do you mean, sir?”

My brow arches. “Why would you need help? You’ve always done it all yourself, right?”

She nods quickly. “Always.”

Liar.

But it doesn’t matter. It truly doesn’t.

“Good.” I straighten myself and extend my hand. “Give me the report and get back to work.”

She doesn’t stall, she doesn’t linger, and gives me the files and leaves me alone with my thoughts.

Thoughts I shouldn’t have as Grace’s petite frame crawls to the surface.

It’s an itch, it has to be. One that needs to be taken care of.

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