Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 84442 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84442 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“Why move you all the way upstairs?” she asks. “I mean, I’m thrilled, don’t get me wrong, but he could just set you up in an office pretty much anywhere else. Or, crazy thought, just do the whole company a favor and fire Sloane.”
I laugh ruefully at the thought.
As much as I really do hate Sloane, I don’t want her to get fired for bothering me. I want her to get fired for failing to do anything that actually relates to her job.
“I don’t really know,” I say with a shrug. “I tried to argue with him, but he just said he wanted his ‘best analyst’ close by. Now that’s a crazy thought, right?”
I look over to Cassie with a laugh, but she has her head tilted to the side and a thoughtful expression on her face. A chunk of her hair rests heavily on her cheek and she hitches her tote bag up higher on her shoulder as she smiles softly at me.
“It’s really not,” she says with a raised brow, almost daring me to disagree. “You are the best.”
“Oh, come on—”
“Seriously!” she cuts me off, her smile growing wider. “You’re a genius, Riley. You deserve the recognition.”
I shake my head, my eyes falling to the ground as an embarrassed flush creeps up my neck. “I just do my job,” I say. “I’m super nervous about all of this, honestly. It’s such a big change, and it came out of nowhere. Sloane’s probably furious.”
Cassie rolls her eyes playfully, knocking her shoulder into mine.
“You’ll do fine,” she assures me. “Mr. D’Amico and Sloane are probably just having a little lover’s spat now that he found out the truth of who his best analyst actually is. She’ll get over it, and you’ll keep kicking ass.”
It’s my turn to gape, my head turning so fast something twinges in my neck. I focus on that rather than the way my heart twinges in my chest. It’s not like I had a chance with Nick in the first place, but I always assumed he was single.
“Wait, for real?” I ask in a hushed tone. “They’re together?”
Cassie barks out a laugh as the elevator doors slide open, depositing us at the parking garage. It’s tonelessly gray and smells like rain, just like always, but everything seems to be in sharper contrast as I wait for her to answer.
“Only in Sloane’s dreams,” she says scathingly, and relief slams into me like a tidal wave. “She’s desperate for any scrap of his attention. He’s obviously not into her.”
Oh, thank fucking God.
I was terrified for a moment that I’d read all the signs wrong, that Nick’s behavior toward her was just a way to keep their office romance hidden. Cassie has her finger on the pulse of all the office gossip, though.
If they were together, she’d know.
“At least I only have to deal with a jealous coworker instead of a jealous girlfriend,” I say with a weak laugh.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. I tug it out as we walk toward our cars, heels clipping across the smooth concrete. As soon as I see the text waiting for me, my face splits in a soft smile.
Mister Mystery: Did you enjoy your first day in your new office, Miss Morgan?
I texted him before I got into the elevator, telling him I was heading home, as it has become a habit over the last few days. The thought of what he made me do in my new office is fresh on my mind. I can’t wait to see him in person again. The teasing text messages with him only get me so far.
Riley: That I did, even without a champagne delivery ;)
“What’s got you smiling at your phone like that?” Cassie asks, playfully pretending to look over my shoulder.
I flush brightly, locking my phone and slipping it back into my pocket.
“I… may have met someone at the charity gala almost two weeks ago,” I admit shyly. “Taylor had an extra ticket and took me, and he asked for my number.”
“You got a boyfriend and didn’t even tell me?” Cassie asks in mock offense.
“He’s not my boyfriend,” I say, although I can’t deny the rush of excitement that floods me at the thought. “We’re just talking. Texting. I’m not really sure where it’s going, but maybe there’s something there. I do really enjoy our conversations… so who knows?”
Cassie’s teasing grin softens, and she looks at me fondly as she stops beside her car.
“I hope so,” she says. “You deserve it. Besides, it’d be good for you to do something other than work for once. Live a little.”
I laugh, shaking my head at how similar her advice is to Taylor’s. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Cassie. Drive safe.”
She gives me a little wave and climbs into her car, leaving me to head to my car alone. It’s not far, but even just the few seconds have my mind whirling with thoughts of my masked man.