Page 15 of One Little Mistake
I ignore the twinge of pain that little jab causes.
“Listen, East. You know I love you, but there’s something about Lexi, and you know it.”
“What are you talking about?”
“What happened in the copy room this morning?” Mason counters, and I have to pause to think about it.
“I have no idea.” And truthfully, I don’t.
“You said thank you to Michelle from accounting. It’s all over the office today.”
I’m beyond confused. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“When was the last time you spoke to anyone in this office, let alone thanked someone?” If Mason’s eyebrows raise any farther, they’ll need their own zip code.
“I’m a fair boss, Mason. I’m not a complete asshole.” I don’t expect him to believe the words since I can barely say them with conviction, but he doesn’t fight me.
“You are. You’re also an asshole that people hide from. Either Lexi is taking all the fight out of you, or you’re softening for her. I have my suspicions, but time will tell.”
I keep my back to him while I pull the last of the files I’ll need and stick them in my bag. I don’t want to admit that there is something about Lexi that makes me want to let down my guard, and I’m not surprised Mason sees it. Instead of making any acknowledgments, I focus on getting to New York.
“I’m meeting with Douglas in New York tonight. I have to get out of here to grab Lexi on the way to the airport.”
“Easton?”
Turning, I see my friend with the kind eyes and an easy smile.
“Yeah?”
“You’re not broken. Sometimes life bends you a little to get you on the right path. I have faith in you, or I wouldn’t still be here.”
Clapping him on the shoulder as I pass, I swallow the lump in my throat. Fucking Mason. “Thanks, Mas. I’ll let you know how things go with Douglas.”
* * *
“Where are we?” Lexi glances around the private airfield, and I realize she’s not nervous—she’s fucking scared out of her mind.
Placing a hand on her forearm, I try to reassure her. “We’re at Wilson Air Center. It’s a private airport where we keep one of the smaller company planes. Are you okay?”
“What? Yes, of course I’m fine. I guess I wasn’t paying attention. Why are you staring at me like that?”
“Lexi …” My voice is soft. Too soft, and I feel her defenses rising. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
The car rolls to a stop on the tarmac, and she uses the opportunity to escape. As she’s opening the door, I catch her arm, and she instinctively rips it away from me.
“I said, I’m fine,” she hisses. Once out of the car, I see her taking deep breaths through her nose.
Moving to her side, I want to comfort her, even if I don’t fully understand what’s going on. But Lexi has other ideas.
Chapter 8
Lexi
Gawd, Lex. Get your shit together. I feel Easton’s large presence at my side, and no matter how much I try to rein in my fear, it grabs hold and doesn’t let go. Feebly, I rub my palms up and down my pant leg, trying to rid them of their clamminess.
“Lexi?”
Easton’s voice sounds as if he’s in a tunnel, and somewhere I recognize I’m having a meltdown, but cannot move my feet from this spot. The sweat beads on my upper lip, and I grip my elbows at my side, making myself as small as I can out here on the tarmac.
