Page 27 of Fairy Tale Lies
So, here she was, hiding in the break room and making the slowest cup of coffee in human existence, loathing her spineless ways. She should have told Blake to give her the papers and leave. The possibility of his anger and future repercussions chilled her blood.
Stirring her coffee, she heaved a heavy sigh and, since there was nothing she could do about Blake, she shifted her focus to Jacob. There was no doubt she wanted him. She’d never desired Blake, or any other man, the way she did Jacob.
Maybe he’s right, and I’m overthinking it.
She’d lived under her parents’ oppressive rule, only to move on to Blake’s demanding and overpowering ways. Maybe a little reckless fun was what she needed.
Heck, at twenty-seven, there was no hurry to settle down. Why not have fun with Mr. Wrong until Mr. Right came along? With any luck, Jacob would burn away the growing restlessness presently taking root in her. With it extinguished, she’d be able to settle into the proper woman everyone needed her to be.
With her decision made and nothing left to do in the break room, Greta left. She strode the carpeted hallway, mug in hand, eager to see Jacob. Turning the corner, she spotted Blake heading in the opposite direction.
Good.
Plastering on a hopeful smile, she entered the shared office. Jacob was facing the window at the rear outer wall, his back to her.
She set her mug on the nearest desk. The ceramic clinked against the wood surface, and Jacob faced her. Anger etched his handsome face. Blake must’ve thrown his worst, and it had stuck.
The urge to swivel on her heels and leave again was fierce. She locked her legs, unwilling to do it again.
Taking a deep breath, she came closer. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know he’d be stopping by. What did he say to make you angry?”
Icy blue eyes pinned her. “Oh, not much. Only that your break is temporary, and if I continue to pursue you, my contract with Swift will be in jeopardy.”
“He’s such an asshole!” Greta slammed a palm to her thigh, her irritation overflowing.
Jacob’s mouth twisted in surprise. “Wow, woman. I didn’t even know you knew cuss words.”
“Yes, well, sometimes they’re the only accurate words to use.” She smiled weakly. “Anyway, Blake’s lying. He’snotmy fiancé, and he doesn’t have the power to end any contracts. Only my father has that authority.”
“He tells me it’s what your father will do to keep me away from you.”
Greta huffed, “Oh please. Blake is full of hot air. As I told you earlier, Father would never end a sound business deal because of personal feelings.”
He might, however, hinder her career advancement. Give her fewer accounts and, in turn, thin her portfolio. Heck, maybe he wouldn’t even hire her after graduation. That was unlikely, but there was enough worry to have her stomach twisted in knots. She shoved her anxiety aside and focused on Jacob.
His expression was full of doubt, but he didn’t press the issue of losing his contract. Instead, he switched topics. “Were you and that douchebag really together for over three years?”
“Yes.” She rested a tentative hand on his firm chest. “It doesn’t matter. He’s the past.”
Relief seemed to flood his eyes, and Jacob closed the distance between them, kissing her gently. It spoke of new beginnings. Of friendship, intimacy, and passion.
“Good, because I’d like to be your present,” he whispered against her lips.
“Only had lunch together? You two are merely acquaintances? Barely know each other, huh?” Allen drawled from somewhere behind Greta.
She shot back from Jacob with a startled yelp, embarrassed and flustered. She tried to hide it with a glare aimed at Allen.
He gave a playful leer. “If this is how you are with near strangers, I want to get to know you less.”
Heat flooded her cheeks. She dropped her gaze from Allen’s, moving to her chair on shaky legs.
Jacob flopped next to her, appearing more annoyed at the interruption than getting caught. “This office should have a freaking revolving door. It’d make it easier for all the damn traffic.”
Allen sat at his workstation and swiveled to face them, his brows almost to his hairline. “I’m not the only one to interrupt your little tête-à-tête?”
Jacob snorted. “I had the privilege of meeting Blake.”
“Ah yes, I ran into him by the elevator. He’s always willing to become courier boy if the destination’s the IT office.”
