Page 49 of Is It Casual Now?

“Siena?” Paula’s use of her first name wasn’t entirely unheard of, but the concern in the tone snapped Siena out of her angry haze. At least enough to look up from her computer screen and blink away the red rage that had covered her.

“Sorry, Paula, what was that?”

“I asked if you were all right.” Paula frowned, and Siena could easily see all of the concern in her shoulders and face now.Shit. She really needed to get herself under control.

“Of course. Why?”

“Because if you keep typing the way you have been, I’llneed to start researching a new keyboard for you. And we both know I don’t have time for that.”

Siena looked down, expecting to see keys missing or at the very least finger-sized divots in them.

“Should I put it on my calendar?” Paula asked, slight exasperation filling her tone.

“No.” Siena wouldn’t let herself break down or lash out in front of her receptionist, no matter how long Paula had been in the position. “It’s fine. Thank you, Paula.”

Siena turned off her computer and stood up.

“Are you heading out?” Paula’s furrowed brows and flustered expression gave Siena a small vindictive spike of glee. She could still surprise her at least. Though she definitely didn’t need to take up that challenge every day.

“Yes. I don’t have anything else scheduled for the rest of the day, right?”

“Correct.”

“I need to manage some things for Bunny and Piper.”

“Oh, okay.” Paula’s confusion eased slightly as her brows relaxed and her forehead smoothed out once more. There remained some lingering concern on her face. Undoubtedly from Siena’s change in schedule combined with the behavior that had brought her into Siena’s office in the first place.

“It’ll all work out in the wash.” Siena leaned back on one of her well used statements and gave Paula the best smile she could manage. Losing Paula was the last thing she needed.

“Must be a pretty intense situation for it to get you frazzled like this.” Paula rarely fished for compliments, but the comment made Siena twitch. “I hope it’s not any more insane media dramas.” Paula smiled, unaware she was hitting the nail right on the head.

“Nothing we can’t handle, right?”

“You mean you.” In control of what happened in the office once more, Paula smiled and resumed being the relaxedreceptionist Siena adored. “If it were up to me, all those jerks would be turned away and kicked off a bridge—a high bridge.”

Siena laughed, trying hard to ignore the lump that formed in her throat as she grabbed her things and walked out of the office.

It wasn’t hard to find Jamie’s address. Siena couldn’t help but acknowledge the small flutter of worry for the journalist who had so often pissed her off in the past. Jamie was on quite a few managers’ shit lists and Siena wondered if Jamie hadn’t had problems with her home being so easy to find.

Shaking off the concern, she remembered why she had sought out Jamie’s apartment in the first place. The climb up the stairs pulled at Siena’s rarely used muscles. It had been far too long since she had seen the inside of her gym or taken someone home for some fun acrobatic adventure.

Her night with Jamie didn’t count. She hadn’t used nearly enough muscles in that hotel room.

Taking a deep breath, she shook out her hands before lifting one and knocking on the red steel door.

“What the hell?” Jamie started speaking before she had even pulled the door open, her voice and annoyance obvious.

For a moment, Siena stood stunned into silence at the sight of Jamie. She stood natural and real in a sleeveless shirt that didn’t quite reach the band of the small shorts that hugged the tops of her thighs.

“Uhhh…” An incoherent gurgle came out of Siena’s mouth.

A small flicker of a smile crossed Jamie’s lips until they turned down, arms crossing over those delicious breasts. The movement snapped Siena out of her haze, and she swallowed the lump that had remained since she left the office.

“What the hell is the question, Jamie?” Siena didn’t wait for an invite, stepping past Jamie and inside. She barely caught a glimpse of the small space before the door lock snickedbehind her, and she turned to see Jamie with her hands on her hips in front of the closed door.

“Seriously?” Jamie laughed, the sound nothing like that infectious noise Siena had been dreaming about whenever her mind wandered off over the last few weeks.

“Why have you gone back on our agreement?” Siena didn’t like the hint of hurt that leaked out in her words. She ignored it as best she could and only hoped Jamie would do the same.

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