Page 37 of Love Me Again

"Mr Hoult?"

I blink and look back when Ihearsomeone knock and enter my office. I was lost in thought, standing at the floor-to-ceiling window staring at the bleak city before me. "Yes, Jessica?"

"I'm sorry, I did knock, but..."

"It'sokay. What do you need?" I sigh, looking back at her, and she shifts uneasily, chewing on her bottom lip.

"The investors are here, and they're asking to speak to Shayla. I don'tknowwhat to tell them. They seem pretty upset." Jess informs me, and I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose.

"Take them into the conference room and offer them refreshments. I'll betherein a few minutes," I instruct her, and she nods, leaving my office. I look out of the window again and wonder what the hell I'm going to tell these people.

Itseems Shayla has built quite a rapport with the investors to the projects we were working on that they're demanding to speak to her and no one else. I've lost a major account already this week because we couldn't agree on costs and materials for the new mall in Madrid. Evidently, I hadn't realised just how much I entrust on Shayla around here, especially on these projects that we started together.

I vaguelyhearmy door opening and closing and the sound of heels clicking on the marble floor.

"I'll betherein a minute Jessica." I snap, agitated, not even bothering to look back.

"Cole." I whip my head around when Ihearher voice so fast I'm sure I gave myself whiplash. I thought I was hearing things again, but I wasn't. She wasthere, standing in my office, eyes cast down to her feet. I turn and face her fully and take a couple of steps closer.

"Shayla?" I utter surprised, and she finally lifts her eyes to look at me.

"Do you have a minute to talk?" She asks her voice soft. I nod and walk across the room to stand closer to her. I don'tknowwhy she was here, but I was thankful. I didn't think I wouldseeher again.

"Would you like to sit?" I offer, and she shakes her head, averting her gaze, looking everywhere, but at me. I caught the tears that were glistening in her eyes before she looked away.

"No, I—"

"Oh, Shayla! Thank God you're here. Blake Bryant is here, and he is pissed." Jess explains, walking into my office in a flurry. I glare at her hard when she just barges in, interrupting us. Shayla looks over at Jess and nods.

"Uh, okay. Please tell him I'll betherein a second." Shayla instructs her, and Jess nods before she rushes off out of the office.

"We'll talk after," Shayla walks out of the office. Iobserveher as she walks away until she disappears from my sight before I follow her to the conference room.

"Mr. Bryant, I'm so sorry to keep you waiting." Shaylagreetspolitely as she walks over and shakes his hand. Blake Bryant stands when heseesShayla and the deep scowl he had on his face softens to a frown. "I've been off work sick for a week, but I'm back now."

She is?

Blake's brows shoot up as they take a seat. "Oh, I'm sorry tohearthat. Nothing serious, I hope?" He replies, and Shayla smiles, shaking her head.

"Thankfully, nothing some rest and comfort food couldn't fix." She retorts with a pretty smile, and Blake smiles back at her with a nod. I greet him and shake his hand before I take the seat beside Shayla as she opens the files, and they dive straight into talking about work.

I silentlyobserveas Shayla speaks softly, professionally. She leans forward, flicking through the paperwork, and Blake, much like myself, listens avidly to every word she says, his eyes flickering to her mouth every so often while she speaks and stops to lick her lips.

"Mr Bryant, if you're not happy with the budget that we've set for this project. Cole and I will review and work on cutting back on some costs," Shayla explains, and Blake leans back in his chair and gazes at her with a flirtatious smile.

"Shayla, I've told you a thousand times, please, call me Blake." He chastises her playfully, and Shayla smiles a little and nods, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear delicately. "You promised me, remember?"

"Right, of course, I'm sorry. Blake, how do you feelabout the budget? Are you happy withit, or would you like us to look intoitsome more?" She inquires, and Blake shakes his head.

"I'm happy withit. I'm running late for another meeting, but I can swing by this week sometime, and we can work on the contract andgetitall signed and sealed?" Blake suggests and glances over at me and then back at Shayla again. Surprised he even remembered I was sittingthere—what a knobhead.

"Sounds good to me."

"Excellent. We'll doitover lunch.There'sthis great restaurant Iknowyou'll love." Blake suggests while rising to his feet, and Shayla looks at him surprised but nods, standing as well.

They shake hands while Igetup, and he shakes my hand too. I stare at him soberly and give his hand a firm squeeze. Blake's ocean blue eyes flitter down to our hands and back up at me again, his lips quirk ever so slightly before we let go, and he walks out after one last lingering glance at Shayla.

Is this moron flirting with her right in front of me?

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