Page 29 of The CEO's Sweetheart Deal
“I should get back to work.” She abruptly steps away – not an easy feat in her condition.
“Of course. Same.” My face heats up. What the hell did I just do?
Was I really standing here staring at her like some love-struck teen?
“Can I help you back to your office?” I ask, though she’s already halfway out the door.
“I’m fine,” she says over her shoulder. “See you later.”
“See you later,” I say to the already empty doorway. For someone who is injured, she sure did book it out of here fast.
Did I scare her off?
It’s a stupid question. Of course I did. Everything about our relationship is tense, loaded, dynamic in dangerous ways.
It’s kind of ironic that I was thinking about cutting her loose from the company. Alice isn’t the problem. I am.
Or, rather, my heart is.
Because it doesn’t matter how much time goes by, or what circumstances change between us. A part of me will always belong to her, whether we like it or not.
CHAPTER 12
ALICE
The familiar sounds of the gym wrap around me, turning into a comforting brown noise. I shift awkwardly on the bench, adjusting my crutches so they're propped against the wall within reach but not in anyone's way.
My damn ankle, still throbbing despite the compression bandage, has thrown a wrench into my entire routine. What I wouldn't give for a proper full-body workout to clear my head.
"Try these eight-pounders," Sydney says, handing me a pair of weights. "No leg day for you, but we can still demolish those arms."
I accept them gratefully. "Thank you – anything is better than nothing. I was going stir-crazy sitting at home."
She grabs her own weights and sits on the bench beside me. "It’s not good to miss days when you can just focus on other areas of your body. Besides, I wasn't about to miss this. Not when there's so much gossip to catch up on."
I roll my eyes but can't help smiling. "Is that why you're here? For the drama?"
"Partly." Sydney grins, starting her bicep curls. "So… how was the board meeting yesterday? Did they approve the San Diego facility?"
The meeting.
Taking a break from my reps, I set the weights down as memories flood back — the boardroom tension, feeling like I was the only person on my side… then Oscar's unexpected support.
"They did," I reply, trying to keep my voice neutral. "But it wasn't without drama."
She raises an eyebrow. "Drama? When Oscar and you are involved? Oh, you don’t say.”
I laugh at her sarcasm. “I know, right?”
“So what happened?”
"The whole board is just like Oscar is… was,” I correct myself. “All about pushing the envelope to make money.”
"And let me guess, Oscar sided with them?" Sydney's tone is sympathetic.
"That's the thing," I say, shaking my head. "He didn't. He backed me up completely."
Sydney pauses mid-curl, surprise evident on her face. "Seriously? Mr. Bottom Line backed you instead of his cost-cutters?"
