Page 15 of Perfect Assumption
“I keep offering…” he starts before a rude cough sounds behind us.
And there he is. Dark eyes. Thick hair mussed like he’s had a rough night of his own. But at least he made it in before noon, I think a bit uncharitably.
“Did you need something, Becks?” Ward addresses Becks directly after running his eyes up and down me so quickly as if he’s confirming I’m properly dressed in my school uniform. Not that I want Ward turning those dark, slumberous eyes my way, but being polite to the person who’s responsible for your schedule is considered good form.Especially when I could make it so booked he doesn’t have time to use the restroom.
Becks narrows his eyes to blast the younger man, but I give him a sharp shake of my head. I don’t need the additional attention any day, but most especially not today. “Fine.” And I know that’s for both me and Ward. “Until later, beauty,” Becks advises me as he follows Ward through the heavy wood doors.
I curve my lips at Becks, earning myself a blinding glare from Ward, who turns to open the door. Becks taps his phone and winks.Right. My cell’s off.I open my desk and pull out my phone. When I turn it on, it immediately starts vibrating in my hand. Then my countenance softens when I see the one from Becks.Dinner at Carys and David’s tonight. We’re not taking no for an answer. We’ll make certain you get back to your hideaway.
I hold the phone to my chest for just a moment, grateful that the people I work with actually know who I am and care about what today means to me. Just as the euphoria washes over me, a new text comes in from Sula.
Are you okay? I saw the news about XMedia. Call me as soon as you can.
No, I’m not, I think grimly.But I really have no choice.And I make a mental note to call Sula at some point during the day if possible. I send her a quick text back, letting her know I’ll contact her later—that we’re in crisis mode at work with no internet. Her laughing emoji does much to lift my spirits even as I groan. “What a freaking morning.”
The door behind me flies open, and a triumphant Carys comes out. “We have phones! We have internet! Angie, can you please get Zapatta back on the line and apologize profusely before seeing if we can salvage any of this day?”
“You bet, Carys.” Shoving my cell to the side, I reboot my computer. Ignoring the quiet buzz, I use our business communication platform, get an outside line, and get Z’s representatives back on the line. After abjectly apologizing for the communications breakdown, they get the profanity-loving Grammy-winning artist back on the line.
I can’t help but grin when his first word to me is “Fuck.”
“Let me get Burke for you.”
“Yeah, let’s fuckin’ do that.”
I’m sure we’ll enjoy this conversation over dinner tonight. And knowing my friends care enough about me to put aside any small differences they may have to get me through today, I manage to get through the rest of the day with a smile on my face.
Not fear in my heart.
Six
Ward
Multi-multi-multi (are there enough multis?) millionairess Carys Burke Lennan was spotted arm in arm with her gorgeous husband, David, hurrying away from Rockefeller Center. The two stylish lovebirds were both bundled up in Burberry to ward off the November chill.
— Eva Henn, Fashion Blogger
Alcohol and bitterness. I’ve swallowed down quite a bit of both. Unfortunately, the combination makes a man less guarded about doing certain things—like making phone calls that have no way of ending well. Or ending business relationships that have taken years to formulate.
All because of a woman.
For years, I stayed away from Angie because she was off-limits. And that limit was placed on me Valentine’s Day five years ago.
“I can’t thank you enough for coming by, Ward.” We were just a couple of steps outside of Carys’s office, arm in arm. When she called me to join her on a conference call with the heavy metal band Mastodon to gauge my interest in becoming her partner, I felt something flow through my veins I hadn’t in close to ten years.
Excitement.
“My pleasure. I think things are going to work out beautifully.”
She beamed up at me. “I hope so. It will certainly be a change, that’s for damn sure.” We both laughed.
“How about I take you to lunch? You have to be starving,” I cajoled her. It had been too long since I’d spent time with just Carys. And I knew that day she was on edge. After all, it wasn’t every day your sister was going to propose.
Carys shook her head. “No can do, today, honey. I’m too busy.”
I ran a finger along her cheek and whispered, “I’ve got a secret for you.”
She leaned back. “I bet mine’s bigger.”
