Page 38 of Beautiful Desire

When we get to my desk, there’s a huge bouquet of red roses sitting waiting. Taking out the card attached, I open it up and read over it, gritting my teeth in anger.

Paul.

Why the hell is Paul sending me flowers on my third day back? I mean, we did run into each other at Diavolo last year, but I made it pretty clear I wasn’t interested. Throwing the card in the trash, I turn, seeing Peter’s office door is open. Taking Beth by the hand, I slowly edge closer. Peering in, I look around to see all of Peter’s personal belongings are gone, leaving only office furniture. I pull Beth in and close the door behind us.

“This can’t be right. Peter wouldn’t just up and sell without telling us. And didn’t he say last year after that deal fell through that if he was ever going to sell, he’d be here until the transaction was final? Peter wouldn’t do this.”

I’m really struggling to wrap my head around this. Peter has been my boss for the past seven years, and he’s been nothing short of amazing. He’s always been so understanding, so caring. This was more than a business to him. He treated us like family; he showed me more love and kindness these past seven years than my own father has.

“He has, Elle. It’s done,” Beth replies in a defeated tone.

I place my bag on Peter’s old desk and sit down in the chair, expelling a frustrated huff. “And here I was panicking about being late again today.”

“How many times has Peter told you it’s fine? You can’t just jump straight back into work. You need to allow yourself time to get back into routine. It’s going to take some time to adjust.”

I can hear the phone on my desk ringing on the other side of the door. Can’t this day just be over already?

I press the button on Peter’s phone, transferring the call through, and pick up the receiver. “Good morning, Peter Lewis’s office. This is Elle. How can I help you?”

“Oh, Elle, thank God.”

“Gia?” I say in confusion.

“Elle, I need to talk to you. Are you alone?” My eyes flicker up to Beth, who’s still standing at the far side of the desk.

A look of confusion makes its way across her face. Gianevercalls my desk phone.

“G, I can’t talk right now. We’re kind of in the middle of a crisis.”

“He’s back, Elle.”

What? Who the hell is she talking about?

“What? G, who are you talking—”

Shit. Gallo. Did Gallo get out of prison?

No. Fabi would never allow that prick anywhere near G again.

“Dom, Elle.It’s Dom. He’s back.”

No. No, no, no. This can’t be happening.

Just as the words have left her mouth, the door to Peter’s office swings open to reveal a man I never expected to see again. The owner of those familiar blue eyes.

I sit stock-still, holding the receiver to my ear. I don’t know if Gia is still there or if she’s hung up. I try to pull my focus away fromhim,but I can’t.

What the hell is he doing here? He can’t be here. I haven’t seen or heard from thisassholein over a year, and then he decides to just show up at my work?

I don’t think so, jackass.

Gia’s panicked voice sounds through the phone, breaking me from this trance. “Elle, are you there? Are you okay?”

“I’ve gotta go, G. I’ll call you later.”

I hang the phone back on the receiver and stand from the chair, rolling my shoulders and holding my head high. I’m at my place of work, and I refuse to let this asshole make me lose my professionalism.

I clear my throat before speaking. “Good morning,sir. How can I help you? If it’s Mr. Lewis you’re looking for, I’m afraid I’m going to have to take a message for him, as he’s out of the office today.”

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