Page 32 of Is It Casual Now?

Siena blew out a puff of air, stirring strands of loose hair that had fallen across her face during the day. Sitting back in her chair, she rolled her neck in slow circles hoping to hear that pop followed by the release of at least one of the multitude of knots the day had given her.

What she really needed was a deep-tissue massage. The lack of popping from her neck confirmed this fact.

The light on her intercom system lit up, and she pressed it automatically.

“Siena, your five o’clock will be here in ten minutes. Did you need anything?”

“Coffee, please.” She let her finger slide from the button and lifted both hands to her head. She rubbed small circles around her temples.

After a moment, she shook out her fingers, sat up and rolled her shoulders back. Clicking into her calendar, her movements stopped as she stared at the name.

“Of course,” she muttered and closed her eyes.

Only one word was written in her five o’clock appointment.

Jamie.

“Your coffee.” Paula handed over the mug of steaming coffee, the scent wafting in Siena’s direction putting her instantly at ease.

“What would I do without you?” Siena asked with a grin.

“Starve and forget to go home.” The small smile that pulled up the corner of Paula’s lips made Siena laugh.

“Most likely.”

With a smile, she left, and the door clicked with a popping sound similar to the one Siena had failed to achieve through her earlier neck roll.

Time ticked down and one minute before five, the intercom chirped this time with clipped words.

“Your five o’clock appointment has arrived.”

“Please let her in,” Siena replied, her finger holding the button down a little too hard, turning the tip of her fingers white.

The door opened, and for a moment, Siena and Jamie simply stared at each other. Siena wanted to muster the same professionalism she had managed to enter their previous meeting with, but the sight of Jamie framed in her open door was a sight not even her late-night imagination could have captured.

Not that she had been having late night imaginations, especially about Jamie. Nope, not at all.

“Good evening.” Jamie finally broke the string that held them both in place and stepped into the office properly. She closed the door behind her, the spell finally broken.

Siena was on her feet and professionalism took over from the arousal that had already warmed up her lower belly.

“Thank you for coming here for this meeting, Jamie.” Siena stepped out from behind her desk and waved a hand over to the small meeting area in her office. She barelyrefrained from rolling her eyes as she felt like some kind of game show host with the swing of her hand. Really, Jamie Kettlehouse had been nothing but a pain in her ass since her blog posts had been brought to her attention years ago. There was no need for Siena to feel like a schoolgirl.

“Please take a seat. Would you like coffee or something to eat?”

“Ha.” Jamie chuckled as she sauntered over to the low couches. She sat on one as she shook her head. “No, thanks. Your ever so kind receptionist offered as much as well.” The stress Jamie placed on the word kind told Siena all she needed to know about the frosty reception Jamie must have been given.

“Fine. Then let’s get into this.” Siena pulled the pieces of paper from the printer she passed on her way to sit on the couch opposite Jamie.

“Can we find a time for the interview with Bunny and Piper first? My editor is on my ass about nailing it down.”

“Unfortunately, no.” Siena shook her head, the sincerity of her words lacking even to her own ears. “These questions are entirely unacceptable.”

“Excuse me?” The casual air around Jamie sparked as she shuffled forward on the couch, perching on the front, her shoulders squaring as though preparing for a fight.

“These questions have absolutely nothing to do with either of their professional work.”

“So asking about how they first started playing together…” The innuendos dripped from Jamie’s lips, and Siena’s stomach tightened, “…has nothing to do with their careers?”

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