Page 43 of Executive Benefits

“Okay,” I grunted, patting her on the shoulder. “Thanks again.”

She turned to me before she walked out. A hint of something for me flitted through her eyes. I tugged my shirt down, needing to keep my hands busy so I wouldn’t grab her and kiss her. I crossed my arms over my chest and let my annoyance at my reaction to her come through. I didn’t want to give in to anything because she wasn’t interested.

Her brows knitted together, and I swallowed at her confusion. There was no reason for her to be confused. She’d made a few things pretty clear to me. I was just too stupid to listen at first.

“Our next meeting is set for Friday. Does that still work for you?”

That was three days away. I gave her a curt nod and showed her the door. “Yes.”

“Can you come to my office? I’ll have some samples to show you that are too big to lug around.” She walked over the threshold of my door. I grunted yes at her again and closed the door before she could ask any other questions.

I was definitely not ready for dating if I was confusing all the signs. I groaned and walked back over to my desk.

I was too old for this shit.

20

JULIA

Ileft Gray’s with a stormy feeling resting over my heart.

I knew he saw me with Jared, but Nick chose not to bring it up.

Was it because we were in a business meeting? No. We’d had sex the first meeting—well, the second meeting—but maybe he was feeling embarrassed about the fact that he was at my house when I’d asked him not to come?

I shrugged to myself. I wasn’t in the mood to try to sort out any games right now. If he thought I was with another guy and didn’t have the good sense to ask me, I couldn’t be bothered with it.

Plus, I did have to go to another meeting.

It was probably too fresh. I was probably reading into things when I shouldn’t be. I didn't know why he was at my house the other night or why he chose to come over after I told him I had plans.

Maybe he was more like Jared than I was giving him credit for, and I was just too blind to see it because I did have feelings forhim. Still, his not bringing up the fact that he was at my house that night did set off a few fire alarms in my head.

I just couldn't figure out if it was because I was scared he thought I was dating someone else or if it was because of red flags I was choosing to ignore.

I got into my car, buckled up, and started it.

If I had told Nick the truth about Jared, it would have been opening up a can I wasn’t sure I wanted to open yet. Fucking Jared. Ugh. I wished he would just leave me the hell alone.

I'd thought I’d never have to see or hear from him again, but he was insistent on ruining the small piece of happiness I’d carved out for myself.

I grunted, pulling out of the parking lot and heading down to the bakery.

It would’ve been a nice walk when it was warmer, with no snow or ice.

I hated to admit it, but a small daydream popped into my head about walking from Gray’s to the bakery with Nick. It would’ve been nice if we could do that together from time to time, like on a Sunday morning or on a nice spring day before his restaurant had opened.

No, I needed to let that thought die away. If I didn't pursue it anymore, we’d get time and space between us, and I’d stop feeling so wretched. I only had one month to go.

I walked into the office happy with the way the meeting at the bakery went. They were hiring my company to do a new marketing blitz for the change in their menu.

Mia was out for the rest of the afternoon. Her note said she was schmoozing another potential client and that we’d have to get an assistant because she was becoming my partner. I smiled at the idea and released a happy sigh.

Placing my briefcase on the desk, I sat down and pulled out the information for the bakery.

I wouldn’t be doing much for them except preliminary details.

Once Gray’s opened and was situated, I wouldn’t have to do as much with them, nor would I have to see Nick as often, either. My hope perked up a little because that meant I wouldn’t be bogged down with heavy emotions.

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