Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 61939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Do you really think he’ll sue me when I quit?
Lisa
It’d be better if you sued him first… Maybe combine cases with his other past assistants?
Everly
Um… Can’t you try to last one more year and compromise on a later quitting date?
I couldn’t answer that.
My chest tightened at the thought of working under this man for another hour. There was no universe in which I survived 8,760 more.
Mr. Cross
Ballroom. Fifteen minutes. We have people to poach.
K.
I refused to give him anything more.
I checked off tonight’s event on my itinerary, vowed to keep my interactions with Harrison to a bare minimum, and forced myself downstairs.
The ballroom stretched across the entire first floor, its wall of windows framing waves that kissed the beach beyond.
Music sifted through the speakers, but only a few brave souls danced. The rest were “networking”—smiling with their teeth while calculating each other’s weaknesses.
I grabbed my lanyard and headed straight for the bar.
“Aloha, Miss!” the bartender smiled. “Coffee-themed cocktail?”
“I’d like three shots of vodka.”
“Um… we’re not really supposed to serve drinks like that at these events.”
“Right.” I slid two hundred-dollar bills across the counter. “Make it four.”
She hesitated for half a second before stuffing the money into her pocket and lining up the glasses.
I knocked back the first two, then the other two, the burn sliding down my throat and settling low in my stomach—warm, reckless, necessary. I chased them with orange juice and exhaled.
“Thank you.”
When I turned around, a crowd had gathered near the center of the room.
I didn’t need to get closer to know who they were orbiting.
“He’s so hot…” the bartender whispered. “You going to get a selfie?”
“Ha.” I snorted. “I don’t collect pictures of people I hate.”
“You work with him?”
“Unfortunately.”
“Well, stand guard while I grab a photo?”
Before I could protest, she was gone.
He’s not THAT good-looking…
The crowd shifted—and I immediately took that thought back.
In a custom black tuxedo, Harrison looked devastating. Effortless. Powerful. He was smiling—actually smiling—and holding up phones for strangers like he belonged on magazine covers instead of in boardrooms.
If only they knew who he really was.
As he handed a phone back, his eyes locked on mine.
His gaze dragged slowly down my body.
My nipples tightened under his stare. His mouth parted slightly.
Damn him.
I forced myself to look away and moved toward a cluster of Dunkin’ Coffee reps, introducing myself, handing over cards, and inviting them to Harrison’s private event in three days.
“Well, well, well…” a gray-haired man said, stepping in front of me. “The Cross Effect never takes a vacation.”
“I’m not sure what you mean, sir.”
He flipped my lanyard toward himself. “Sweet Seasons. He still can’t let competition be friendly, can he?”
“I guess not.” I smiled politely. “Are you looking to level up?”
“There’s nowhere to level up when you’re already number one.” He flipped his badge. Starbucks.
Oh.
“But I can match whatever they’re paying you,” he continued. “We offer the highest salaries for sales reps.”
Even though I hated Harrison, I wouldn’t defect to the one company he despised.
“I appreciate the offer,” I said, “but I’m happy where I am.”
“Can’t be.” He leaned closer. “You look miserable.”
“I think I’m going to—”
“She won’t be.”
Harrison’s voice dropped like a blade behind me.
“She doesn’t want to shake your hand either,” he said. “Back the fuck off, Calvin.”
The man laughed, stepping back. “Long time no see.”
“Sad to see you’re still alive and well,” Harrison replied flatly.
“This isn’t the place for misunderstandings,” Calvin said. “We’re here as industry friends, and my Starbucks team is quite excited to see what you’ll do with Sweet Seasons.”
“You should be terrified,” Harrison said quietly. “And if you utter one more word to me tonight, I’ll make good on the ass beating I owe you from years ago.”
Calvin held his stare for a beat, looking like he was going to challenge him, but then his face paled and he walked away.
“Um…” I cleared my throat. “I’m going to—”
“Are you out of your fucking mind?” Harrison hissed, grabbing my arm.
“Excuse me?”
“Why were you talking to Calvin?”
“I didn’t know who he was,” I said. “I honestly still don’t, and I’m about to leave.”
“His name is in my enemies list via the binder I gave you on your first day,” he said. “You should’ve had that memorized by now.”
“Well, between your impossible workload and my lack of sleep, forgive me for not memorizing your revenge yearbook.”
“You should be apologizing for making excuses instead.”
“Okay, Mr. Cross.” I leaned closer. “I’ll apologize.”
“Don’t make me wait too long for it.”
“Fuck you.” I yanked my arm free and pushed through the crowd.
My heels echoed across the lobby’s marble as I ran past the front desk. Not wanting to wait for the elevators, I rushed past them and headed for the emergency stairwell.
The door slammed behind me, and I was halfway up the first flight when it burst open again.
“Andrea, stop.” Harrison’s voice boomed through the space, but I didn’t bother looking over my shoulder.