Page 134 of Rush of Jealousy

His hands join mine, and he brings them up to kiss each knuckle. “You wanted control when you were feeling out of control. You found it the best way you knew how at the time. You are a survivor, sweetheart. A warrior.”

I don’t think of myself as either of those things. And definitely not the latter. When I look back at that chapter in my life, it was a time where I felt my weakest. My loneliest. A time when I didn’t care if I lived or died.

“Hey.”

I look up into Graham’s eyes. “Hmm?”

“Quit shutting yourself off to me. I can see you are already putting up some walls. Please stop. I want to be your safe place. You may not see yourself as those things. But that is how I see you. And maybe with time, you’ll retrain your brain to see how strong you really are.”

I give him a lopsided smile. Doubtful, but whatever.

A worker comes from behind the bar to drop off a slice of twelve-layer chocolate cake in the center of the table along with two cappuccinos. We both dig in to the layers with forks and enjoy the coffees that have beautiful leaf designs created in the foam at the top.

“I love it here,” I whisper softly.

Graham’s smile is warm and genuine. “I’m glad. It’s one of my favorite places to eat and grab a drink. And it’s within walking distance of HH.”

“When did you start your company?”

“Hoffman Headquarters existed before the jewelry company was born. I was able to secure a loan after college and use the money I saved to purchase it. I utilized HH for office leasing and real estate ventures at the time. But when I became more financially stable, I took back the entire building slowly and then bought the adjacent building as well with the idea of connecting them with the walk bridge.”

I can barely afford rent on the townhouse from month to month, so buying up entire buildings is so foreign to me. I just never had the freedom that money brings to understand its power.

“Pretty incredible and ambitious. To know at a young age exactly what you wanted to accomplish. And then have the balls to actually go for it.”

“Maybe you should come to work with me on Friday. It’s going to be a more relaxed day. Then I can show you around some more. Give you the professional tour.”

“Try to convince me to work under you?”

“Hmm…I definitely love you under me.”

I eye him speculatively. “Is that all you’re going to give me, Mr. Hoffman? Just a look around your domain?”

His grin breaks out on his perfect facial features. “The tour will end with an up close view of my polished desk.”

I clear my throat. “I bet,” I say, rolling my eyes exaggeratedly—despite being very turned on by his previous promise to lay me across the top and enter me from behind.

“You don’t have class on Fridays. So why not come hang out with me?”

“As long as I’m back in time to get ready for Girls’ Night with Claire.”

He straightens his posture. “Wait, you’re ditching me Friday night?”

“Yeah. I thought I told you. I cannot ignore my bestie, and I want to make sure I make time for our friendship. Ethan is spending some one-on-one time with his son, so we are both free.”

“Will you still come home to me?”

“I think I’ll spend the night at the townhouse, if that’s okay? It’ll just be easier.”

I can tell he wants to say something but resists. “I’m trying my best here, Angie.”

I look up into his eyes. “I know. I appreciate your effort.”

“I get you the entire rest of the weekend to myself though.”

“Deal.”

25

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