Page 60 of A Simple Reminder

Our eyes lock, and for a brief second, I see the shock in his face—the way his expression crumbles like he’s been caught doing something he knows will break me. His lips part, but no words come. He stays frozen, The woman’s still on his lap like he hasn’t even realized what it means. His body betrays him in that instant, and it’s worse than anything he could say.

Time stretches, everything suspended in the awful silence between us. I wait for him to say something—anything—to explain this, but the longer I stand there, the more I feel like a fool.

I can’t stay here.

I don’t speak. I can’t. There’s nothing left to say. Without another glance, I turn on my heel and walk out, each step heavier than the last. My chest aches with every breath, but I refuse to let him see how badly he’s broken me. Not him. Not now. And maybe...not ever again.

TWENTY-SIX

LIAM

PRESENT

Iwas fuming the entire weekend. If I were a cartoon character, flames would’ve burst from my skull.

Her text still echoes in my mind.It should never have happened.I take it as regret—she regretted what we did. While I don’t, I’ve tried to see her point of view. Tried to squeeze out a sliver of understanding.

Do I get it? A little, yes. Do I like it? Not in the slightest. But if that’s what she wants, then that’s what she gets. I can’t push myself on her. However, this means that the ball is in her court. If she wants anything from me ever again, she has to come and take it.

Today, Sophie and Jared are holding their presentation about the terrace for me. And honestly, we all know this whole ”project” was just my way of screwing with them because they annoyed me. Making them create ten concepts might have wasted their time, but here we are. I just hope one of them is good enough.

It will be—if Sophie’s involved. I’ve overheard some bits and pieces of her ideas, one beingthe one—which I think is amazing and will be the one I choose. I’ve already made up my mind.

Though, I’m still going to make them sweat through a presentation for ”the boss.” Nothing’s easy in life. I know that well enough.

When I get to the hotel, both of them are already sitting outside my office. Lilly is furiously tapping away on her computer, her fingers moving with barely contained agitation. What’s up with her? Every few seconds, she casts glances toward Jared, a subtle smile playing on her lips. His eyes are glued to her, too, locked on her cleavage, watching her every movement. Smooth, Jared. Real professional. Maybe next he can drool on her shoes while he’s at it.

When she spots me, her assault on the keyboard halts, and she quickly stands up. “Good morning, sir.” She rushes around her desk to greet me. Rather eager, if I say so myself. “I’ll get you a coffee. Anything else?”

“Good morning, Lilly. Thank you, just a coffee is fine.”

“I’ll have a coffee too,” Sophie says, her voice cool, though there’s a bite just beneath the surface.

Lilly pauses, her smile stiffening for a fraction of a second before she responds, “Of course, I’ll get right on that.” The words are sweet but just a shade too sharp to be sincere. She turns on her heel with a little more force than necessary, disappearing.

Sophie lets out a quiet sigh, her eyes drifting up in an exaggerated roll as Lilly walks away, the tension in her posture unmistakable. There's a flicker of irritation on her face, barely contained, as if she’s holding back a sharp remark. It's subtle, but the way her fingers tap rhythmically against her knee tells me everything I need to know.

“Are you two ready?” I ask them, and Sophie’s head snaps back to me, but she doesn’t meet my gaze.

Jared loops his arm around Sophie’s shoulder, and itirksme to no end.

“Yes, we are!” he says, flashing that weird, forced smile of his.

“Okay then, let’s go.”

I stride into my office and take a seat behind my desk, twirling my ballpoint pen between my fingers while they set everything up. The air is tense, charged, and I’m more than ready to see how this unfolds.

I watch Sophie as she moves around, setting up the stand with Jared. My eyes follow her from head to toe, taking in every detail. Her perfectly tailored maroon dress hugs her body in all the right places. It cinches at her waist, highlighting her curves, while the skirt flows elegantly just above her knees.

I can’t help it. My mind drifts back to the weekend—how that same body, now hidden beneath layers of fabric, had been under me. The memory of her skin, soft and warm, of the way she responded to my every touch, ignites something primal in me. I tell myself to stay in the present, but my body betrays me. All the blood in my body starts flooding down to my cock. It’s not easy when all I can think about is how magnificent she looked, how she felt, and how she had melted into me with every moment.

Damn it,focus.

She’s all business, her attention locked on the task. Her hands are steady as she hands over the large concept boards to Jared one by one, her movements fluid and practiced.

On the fifth one, something changes. She hesitates, just for a second, and as she hands it over, there’s a small, almost imperceptible smile tugging at her lip. It’s different from the others. Something sparkles within her, a flicker of pride she can’t hide. And I know. Iknowthat’s the one. That’s her idea, her vision. It’s completely her, and she loves it. Which means, of course, I love it too.

They finally stand tall on either side of the stand, looking polished and professional. Jared looks eager, ready for my approval. But Sophie? She’s guarded, her eyes flicker toward me as she speaks. “We are ready if you are, Liam.” Her voice is firm, but she still doesn’t lookatme. She avoids my eyes like I’m a bomb waiting to explode. And maybe I am.

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