Page 18 of Be-Leaf in Love

“Hell no,” he snaps. “What – you don’t want your precious staff to know that you’ve been prancing around with a goddamned?—”

My hand claps over his mouth with a harsh slap. “I swear to God, if you say one more negative word about her, I will call security and have you thrown out on your ass. Or your head. They are remarkably similar.”

Pure rage flares in his eyes. Finally he moves over so that I can kick the door shut.

I release him, then take a slow breath, trying to control myself. “What are you doing here?”

“Checking to see if the rumors are true that you’ve been allowing someone to make huge changes to the office. It’s completely disruptive.”

“I fail to see how adding a few plants is disruptive.” As he glares daggers at me, I consider that he only responds to cold, hard facts, never opinions. “NASA has done studies on how plants clean the air, Dad. More oxygen and fresher air mean the employees will be able to focus better for longer periods of time. They’ll also enjoy being here if it’s more pleasant. Which means less employee turnover.”

Dad blinks. “Really?”

“Yes. Not that it’s any of your business. What makes you think that you can just stroll in here whenever you want without an appointment, anyway?”

He smirks. “Because half the people here think I’m the one who’s actually in charge?”

“I’ll go out of my way right now to make it abundantly clear that you’re not.” I open the door again. “Please, let me walk you out. You will never get past reception again without an appointment. Or I’ll have you banned from the building.”

“You can’t?—”

I lean in with a glare that could strip paint off metal. “Watch me.”

I don’t even look at the new plant station as I march my father out to reception and straight onto the elevator. He doesn’t say another word, thank goodness.

Once he’s gone, I rush to apologize to Violet, although I don’t even know where to start. I’m not sure how much she heard. And she’s sensitive – I know she’ll take this personally, and I don’tknow how to apologize, or if I can even promise her that it won’t happen again.

But she’s gone.

13

VIOLET

The words echo in my ears as I trudge home, my head down.

Running around with some hippie chick. How will that look to clients?

That man looked like he was born angry. He was also clearly Jack’s father – the guy that everyone thinks is silently running the company behind the scenes.

Maybe it’s cowardly to sneak off without speaking to Jack first, but what would I say? That his father is right?

Jack seems infatuated with me. Which I love.Love…Yes, I’m feeling that for him already. Even if it’s far too fast, and apparently wildly inappropriate.

Just because Jack and I have this connection doesn’t mean that he should risk tanking his company. A lot of people’s salaries are on the line.

Sure, several people came over to ask me a bunch of plant-related questions, which I’m always happy to answer. But a few others did look irritated. Especially that Mark guy from the meeting, who was downright glaring at me just now. Maybehe actually hates the new plants? Some people are practically allergic to change.

I’m coming in the door to the shop when my phone beeps with a text.

Jack: I’m so sorry, baby. How much of that did you hear?

Enough. Let’s skip dinner tonight. I need a little time.

Just as I’m sitting down at my desk, the phone rings. It’s him.

“Baby, I am so sorry. My father is an asshole. Trust me, I nearly punched him when I dragged him into my office.”

I can picture him pacing around while he’s on the call with me. That long-legged gait is so confident. And I don’t think he realizes how sexy he is in those perfectly cut suits.

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