Page 19 of Sins & Secrets

“Who?” I say, turning my back to him so I can lock up my office. It’s a habit I’ve always had. No one else has a key. I’ve got fifteen employees working here who come and go throughout the day, but my office is only for me.

“The chick you hooked up with last night.” I test the doorknob, making sure it’s locked and drop my keys into my pocket. I won’t be long since I’m only heading out for lunch, which is good because I want to have all these numbers crunched by the time I need to leave for Blue Hill.

When I turn back around, Liam’s got his arms crossed and he’s leaning against the door, waiting for me like I owe him some sort of explanation.

“None of your damn business,” I say, keeping my tone casual and smirk at him.

“Oh shit,” he says then lets out a bark of a laugh with a wide grin. “You really did hook up with someone last night?” he asks me with disbelief. Liam’s always been a talker. He doesn’t seem to mind my demeanor as much as everyone else does. Give himenough time and he can have an entire conversation by himself, so maybe the two of us were meant to be friends.

Pushing off the doorframe he says, “I was going to give you shit for leaving me hanging last night.”

“Just didn’t want to be alone last night,” I tell him honestly. “Better her company than yours,” I joke with a grin, trying to lighten the mood even though I want this conversation to be over.

“So, are we going to go over it tonight then?” he asks me.

“Go over what?”

“What our investor said at the meeting you had without me yesterday.” By investor, he means my father.

“It wasn’t about Gray’s Homes.” I take a few steps closer to his office. Mine’s the largest and in the very back. Liam’s is kitty-corner to mine and the only other office in here. Across from his is the boardroom which is currently empty and only ever used for sales pitches and the end of quarter wrap-ups.

“Oh,” Liam says and he seems genuinely taken by surprise. His expression lets me know he wants to ask me a million fucking questions, all of which I’m sure I don’t want to hear.Why was my father so persistent on meeting me? Why did he come in here asking for a conference over and over and demanding I sit down with him?

“It’s been a bit rocky between us for the last few months,” I say with my voice low enough that it’s just the two of us in this conversation. I know Margaret, our secretary, is right down the hall and close enough to hear if we talk loud enough.

“Few months?”

I stare at him, feeling my expression hardening. It was a necessary evil for me to stop talking to my father a while ago. I’m caught between wanting to do what’s right and not knowing for sure that I’d be doing the right thing. So instead of taking action, I avoided him every chance I got.

It worked my entire life up until now. Until he told me what I already knew, confirming it and forcing me to face the truth.

“Don’t worry about it.” I give him a tight smile. “It’s got nothing to do with the business.”

“And what about you?” he says, pushing further. “I can’t be worried about you?”

The simple answer I give him is bullshit and he knows it. “I’m fine.”

“Yeah, you keep saying that,” he says then turns like he’s going to head back into his office as the phone rings.

“Go get it.” I nod toward his office. “I’m just picking up a reuben from across the street.”

“All right.” He heads into his office but before I make it another two steps, he’s popping his head outside of the door again to ask, “Will you get me a Coke?”

Glancing over my shoulder, I tell him yes as the sounds of everyone else working get louder and louder.

I don’t break my stride as I head down the hall. Our company owns this entire floor of the Rising Falls Building; it’s a tall office building that’s made for businesses just like ours. The second I stepped in here, I knew this was where I wanted to work. There’s clear glass everywhere. So much natural light and impressive views of the city to provide constant inspiration.

Even the cubicles have plexiglass walls.

“Out to lunch?” Margaret asks as I stride past her, needing to shake the nagging feelings that wrestle in the pit of my stomach.

“I’ll be right back.” I nod, again not slowing my pace and head past all my employees to the elevator.

“Yes, sir,” Margaret answers with a light-hearted tone. I’ve never seen that woman not smile. As if being our secretary is the highlight of her day. She’s damn good at what she does too. At first, I was opposed to letting someone step in and take controlof scheduling and inventory, but as we grew, I just couldn’t handle it all.

Pressing the button for the elevator, I try to think about anything other than my father. With the button lighting up, I’m reminded of Jules’s text. The irritation and anger nearly vanishes.

Just the thought of what was going through her mind when she messaged back makes me smile. She’s a testy little thing. I didn’t expect that. There’s more to Miss Summers than I thought and I’m definitely intrigued.

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