Page 33 of A Simple Reminder

“Soph,” he murmurs, his voice soft but tinged with something raw, something honest. “I wouldn’t have hired him if I knew. I swear.”

The sincerity in his words wraps around me, making my chest tighten as if it’s bracing for impact. I glance at him, and for a second, his expression unravels—shoulders slightly hunched, his jaw tight, his eyes searching mine. He looks like a man waiting for a storm he knows is inevitable.

Slowly, almost hesitantly, he reaches out, his fingers brushing my arm. The contact is featherlight, but it leaves a trail of warmth that lingers longer than it should. “Are we alright?” he asks, his voice dipping low, almost intimate.

His words hang in the air, the sincerity in his voice tugging at something deep inside me. I wasn’t expecting this—his guilt, his need for reassurance.

I hesitate, my thoughts spiraling. Of course, he wouldn’t have hired Jared if he knew. That much is clear. But what hurts isn’t just who he hired—it’s that he needed to hire someone at all. And that someone being Jared feels like the universe’s cruel joke. How can I explain the thoughts churning inside me? How can I tell him that just hearing Jared’s name drags up memories I’ve spent so much time burying?

I glance up, catching the intensity in Liam’s eyes. The concern etched in his features makes my chest tighten. Words falter on my tongue, replaced by the warmth of his presence, the way he’s waiting—hoping—for an answer.

So I nod. It’s small, almost imperceptible, but it’s enough to make his shoulders relax slightly, enough to ease the weight in his expression. I force a small smile, swallowing everything else I want to say. Because, for some reason, I don’t want him to know what happened. I’d feel like a failure, like I hadn’t lived up to what he always encouraged me to be—resilient, unstoppable. And here I am, faltering.

As much as I can’t stand Jared, I also don’t want to be the reason he loses his job. That would make me no better than him.

Before I can find the courage to say anything, Brian and Jared reappear, their presence slicing through the fragile moment like a blade

Jared’s eyes sweep over the plans, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Hmm, you need more spots for natural light. I’ve got a few ideas that could freshen things up, make it more modern.”

I can’t help but stiffen at the presumption, especially since he just joined the team.

Liam’s stare hardens, a flicker of something unreadable flashing behind his eyes. He leans forward, planting one hand on the table with practiced ease, but the way his fingers drum lightly against his leg betrays the tension simmering beneath the surface. Straightening, he adjusts his stance, shoulders squared, every inch of him radiating quiet authority.

“Sophie said the same thing about natural light,” he says, his voice calm but firm, like a verdict being handed down. He gestures toward the plans, his fingers brushing the edge of the paper with a measured precision that feels almost dismissive of Jared’s input. “She suggested a transom window. It’s a solid option.”

Jared glances at Liam. “Yeah,” his smirk widens slightly, “that’soneidea.”

What does he mean by that? It’s a great idea. With a transom window, we’ll keep the natural light and the elegance of Hotel Ayoub D’or.

Liam nods thoughtfully, maintaining a professional tone. “I like Sophie’s suggestion of the transom window; it’s a strong option. However, I’m always open to hearing any additional ideas you might have for other parts of the hotel, Jared.”

I snap my gaze to Liam so quickly I almost strain my neck. Did he just back me up? It takes a second to register, but yes—he shut Jared down, leaving no room for debate. Relief washes over me, mixed with a flicker of gratitude I can’t quite bring myself to show.

Jared’s smirk wavers as he absorbs Liam’s firm stance. “Alright, I’ll think about it. It’s good to know we’re all aiming for the same lighting goal.”

Take that, Jared. You’re not winning this time around.

“I have to go. I have a meeting,” Liam says, his voice carrying a note of finality. ”But let’s regroup in my office in two hours to review the updates. Sophie, if you could get Jared up to speed on the latest developments and the current plans, that would be great.”

I nod, trying to keep my face neutral despite rather wanting to run toward oncoming traffic. “Of course. We’ll go over everything in detail.”

Liam gives me a brief, reassuring nod before turning to leave.

Once he’s gone, I turn to Jared, who’s watching me with an unreadable expression. “Alright, let’s get started,” I say, trying to sound as composed as possible. “I’ll walk you through the plans and any key updates.”

Jared nods, but there’s a trace of that smirk still lingering at the corners of his mouth. “Let’s do it over coffee. I haven’t had my first cup yet.”

I arch an eyebrow, momentarily thrown off by his casual request. “Sure, if you think it’ll help you stay sharp,” I reply, clipped but polite. “There’s a coffee shop just down the street. We can grab a cup and then dive into the details.”

Jared’s smile widens, and he gestures toward the door. “Lead the way.”

After going through allthe updates and the ideas that have been decided upon–I’m not sharing anything that has not yet gotten a signature–Jared leans back in his chair, his third coffee in hand. He shifts uncomfortably in his seat, a noticeable change from his usual confident demeanor. He takes a deep breath and clears his throat, a gesture that makes him look oddly awkward. This tall, demanding man suddenly seems out of place, like a lion hesitating before a leap. It’s strange to see him like this, and it piques my curiosity.

“Uh, so, Sophie,” he begins, his voice faltering slightly. He shifts in his chair again as if trying to find a more comfortable position–or it’s due to the amount of caffeine he’s inhaled in an hour. “I, uh, need to apologize for, well, for how things went down between us.”

Wait, what is happening?

I raise an eyebrow, trying to gauge his sincerity. I’ve never seen this side of Jared—awkward and stumbling. It’s unsettling yet oddly fascinating. “Apologize? For what, exactly?” I push, knowing very well what he should apologize for.

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