Page 32 of Unforgettable

Picking up my bag, I sling it over my shoulder. “I’ll think about it.”

This time Hayden lets me pass. Maybe if I talk to Harper, it will get her out of my system. God knows I’ve tried everything else to no avail. Even having sex with her didn’t help; only made it worse.

If talking to her doesn’t work, what will?

Chapter Eighteen

HARPER

Mondaymorning,Istepfrom the elevator into reception. My heart is racing. My hands are sweaty. All weekend, I kept going over in my mind what had happened between Finn and me. The moment he left the trailer, he avoided me. So, for the rest of the day, he never once gave me eye contact. I went from being happy being back in his arms to feeling rejected. I had to drag myself to work today. Even contemplating sending Tamara my letter of resignation. Then what? If I quit, I’d be back to being broke and struggling to find another job. All because I found it difficult to face Finn. So, instead of cowering at home, I’m going to pull back my shoulders, lift my chin high, and pretend being with Finn again hasn’t affected me at all. I can do that, right?

As I head to my desk, Finn steps out from his office, reading something on his phone. My steps falter as I catch sight of him. My breath hitches in my chest. When he lifts his head, our eyes lock. My heart gallops behind my ribs. How can I pretend this man doesn’t affect me? It’s not possible.

“Harper!” Jumping at the abrupt way my name is called, I spin around. Bianca has her arms crossed over her chest, glowering at me. “I need you in my office, now.”

“I’ll just put my bag and coat away and I’ll be straight there.” When I turn back around, Finn is gone. It’s probably for the best. My legs are already a little shaky. Having him close by would only make it worse. Hopefully, whatever work Bianca has scheduled for me keeps me away from Finn.

After tucking my bag in the drawer and hanging my coat over the chair, I make my way to Bianca’s office. I wonder if—hope—Finn’s there. Taking a deep breath, I step inside. The air gushes from my lungs with relief and disappointment. My emotions are in such a jumbled mess. It’s only Bianca sitting at her desk.

Without taking her eyes from the computer, she points to a stack of files on the edge of the table. “Take these down to the creative department. When you get back—”

“Knock, knock,” Juliette sings as she enters the room, interrupting Bianca’s instructions. “I was told I’d find you here, Harper.”

“Oh?” Why is Juliette looking for me? The hairs at the back of my neck prickle. “Is something wrong? Please don’t tell me I ruined your gown. I promise I took care taking it off.” It would be just my luck if I damaged a Juliette Monet gown. I’ll be paying it off for the rest of my life.

Bianca’s eyebrows shoot into her hairline. “You wore a gown? Raiding the sample department for work clothes is one thing, but under no circumstances are you to wear any gowns!” Bianca’s face screws up with irritation.

Juliette taps a long, red fingernail on the desk. “Darling, I asked her to. The gown fit her like a glove. She looked stunning.”

“It… She…” Bianca splutters.

Twirling around to me, Juliette smiles. “Can you come to my office later today? I have a couple of designs I’d love your opinion on.”

Juliette Monet wants my opinion! Again! Doesn’t she have a million qualified people to ask before me? What is happening? “Sure. Yes. No problem,” I say, not doing a good job at hiding my excitement.

“I have work for her to do,” Bianca snaps, finding her voice.

Juliette turns her head over her shoulder to look at Bianca. Not saying a word to her, Juliette just raises a manicured eyebrow. Returning her gaze to me, Juliette says, “Come see me at four.”

I guess no one tells Juliette Monet what she can and can’t do. I nod. “See you then.”

When Juliette flounces from the room in a swirl of whimsical skirts, Bianca rises from the chair, plants her palms on the desk, and leans toward me. “What’s your game?”

I take a step back. Away from Bianca’s menacing expression. “Excuse me?”

“You’re chummy with our head designer, and you’re fucking the boss. What are you after?”

I suck in a gasp. She knows about what happened in the trailer? Did Finn tell her? “I’m not after anything.”

“Oh, please.” She gives a mirthless chuckle. “Your sweet-and-innocent act isn’t working on me. I’m onto you, and I’ll figure it out. Just give me time. In the meantime, stay away from Finn. We wouldn’t want the office gossiping about how you fucked him in a trailer at the photoshoot.”

The blood in my veins turns cold. After I left the trailer that day, I put all the sideway glances at me down to my reaction over the dogs. Oh God, had Bianca told them what we did? I want to crawl in a hole and see no one again.

“Bianca!” Finn’s deep voice booms from the doorway. Stepping inside, he gives Bianca a hard look. “If I hear you speak like that to Harper again, you can pack your things and get the hell out of here.”

“But…Finn…she—”

“Understood?” The warning tone leaves no room for argument.

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