Page 55 of All That She Needs

"You sure you don't want to talk about it?"

"Not today, Dennis. You go ahead and have fun with Samuel. Send my regards to him, okay?"

Dennis hesitated for a moment before he offered, "Want to come with us?"

I chuckled softly. "Nah, I'm good. Not really in the mood to be stuck in the middle of you lovebirds."

"Why don't you go out and have fun yourself?" he suggested.

"With whom?" I grunted when I saw the predictable look on his face. "Don't tell me you're going to say 'with Liam' again."

His hands flew up in exasperation. "Why not? You and Aiden are separated now, and you've filed for divorce. It's time to move on. Open a new chapter in your life."

"I can't. Because..." I trailed off, searching for an excuse. But then it hit me—he was right. Really, why not? I glanced at the small box on my desk, filled with the chocolate chip cookies he had made for me today, one of the many treats he never failed to send my way. He truly meant what he said; he never gave up on his quest to charm me.

Every day, I found him waiting in the lobby, just outside the elevator, so that we could ride up together. When he couldn't make it, he would text me to let me know. Without fail, even when I sometimes didn't reply to him, he reached out at least once a day, wishing me a good day, asking if I had already eaten lunch, or just sending silly texts and pictures. His thoughtfulness warmed me, and I realized it might finally be time to take a chance.

"Yeah... maybe I'll ask him to dinner."

Dennis looked so surprised, he practically jumped forward, both his fists under his chin. "Really? You really going to ask him out?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Just for a casual dinner and a few drinks, Dennis. It's not like I'm asking him to marry me."

"Maybe someday?" he said, smiling widely, looking suspiciously hopeful.

I rolled my eyes. He's being ridiculous. "Do you know if he's in his office?" I asked, ignoring his question.

Dennis shook his head. "No, I don't. I only saw him when he gave me the cookies this morning. They're very delicious, by the way."

"I should probably text him first," I said, reaching for my phone on the table.

"Uh, no. I think you should just go to his office and surprise him."

I raised my eyebrows at him. "You think so?"

He nodded eagerly, practically bouncing on his feet. "He's going to be so happy! I want to see it. Can I come with you to his office?"

I didn't even know what to say to Liam. I had never asked a guy out in my life. What if he already had plans? He was a busy man, so he probably had more interesting things to do than accompany me to dinner. I didn't know how I would react if he refused, and I definitely didn't want Dennis to see it. "No," I scowled at him.

"Oh, come on, Asha! Please?" he begged, hopping up and down like a child. I ignored him as I shut down my laptop, deciding I was going to leave it in the office tonight instead of bringing it home like I always did.

"No," I said firmly, grabbing my bag and rising from my seat. I reached for my coat as I headed toward the door, with Dennis trailing behind me. "Night, Dennis."

I didn't hear Dennis say anything to protest after that, but I vaguely heard him grumbling loudly as I closed the office door behind me.

The walk to Liam's office took ten steps. I counted, just to distract myself. My nerves were on edge, each step making me second-guess this whole thing, but I forced myself to keep. There was no point in turning back now.

The bright InfiniTech logo glared at me from the door, daring me to step inside. I hesitated for a moment but pushedforward, gripping the handle of my Hermès mini-Kelly bag a little tighter as I reached for the door handle.

Inside the lobby was a reception desk; behind it, a girl with sleek black pixie hair glanced up at me. Her brow arched slightly, and there was no hint of a smile. I had never seen her around before, even though our offices were just across from each other. I only remembered there had been a young man sitting at her desk.

"Can I help you?" she asked, her tone flat.

"Yes," I walked closer. "I'm here to see Liam Banks."

"Do you have an appointment?" Her eyes went from my eyes down to my clothes, scrutinizing me bluntly. Now, I was the one who raised my brows at her.

"No, but–"

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