Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
It will only be as awkward as you make it, Raven.
I give myself mini pep talks the whole way there, but it’s no use. My hands shake at my sides, and my mouth is dry.
I take a deep breath just outside his door before knocking briskly. He calls out for me to come in.
He doesn’t even look up when I enter, typing away on his computer.
“Shut the door and take a seat, Raven.” His harsh tone causes my back to go ramrod straight.
This is how it’s going to be? Good to know. “Why do you want me to close the door?”
I don’t do as he’s asked.
Instead, I cross my arms over my chest in defiance and glare at him. When he finally realizes I haven’t moved from just inside the door, he looks up, brows knitted together.
“Because I want to talk to you alone. I’m your boss. That’s a normal occurrence.”
My shoulders roll back, and my cheeks heat. “Yes, I know you’re my boss. That part has already been clearly established.”
“Shut the damn door, Raven.” Now his voice sounds tired, and I wonder if this has something to do with the advisor he was with.
I shut the door but don’t move to take a seat.
“So, did you have a nice lunch?” he asks, but something in his tone doesn’t sit right with me.
My eyes narrow. “Yes, I did. Thank you.”
“I could see that,” he says sarcastically.
“Then why did you ask, sir?”
He huffs. “It’s rather forward of you, bringing a man who works for the competitor who has stolen things directly from us into my cafeteria. Are you feeding him information?”
My head whips up in response, wondering what’s gotten into him.
“You’re kidding, right? You looked into him.”
“You failed to mention that your boyfriend works for Bauer.”
“Asher is my friend. Has been for a long time. Who he works for isn’t a factor in that.”
“He doesn’t seem to be on the same page with you on the status of your relationship. He wants more.”
My hands land on my hips. “Then he’s in for a rude awakening then.”
He shrugs. “Poor sod. You should really have that discussion with him soon.”
“With all due respect, sir, what I do in my personal life is none of your business.”
He smirks, but doesn’t look up at me.
What the heck could possibly be so important that he can’t put it aside for a few minutes to have this fight like an adult?
“Going to sit?” he practically purrs, and I want to slap him.
I narrow my eyes, confused by the shift in his mood.
“I’m perfectly fine right here. What did you need, Mr. Cavendish? Surely, you didn’t bring me in here to discuss my lunch.”
He tries and fails at smothering a smile, folding his hands on top of his desk. He leans forward.
“It’s Mr. Cavendish today, is it?”
“Well, I don’t know, sir,” I say with a little too much sass. “I haven’t seen you since yesterday, outside of that moment in the cafeteria when you seemed to glare holes into my head.” I huff. “So, yes. I feel like Mr. Cavendish is appropriate for the situation.”
He sighs. “I’m sorry, Raven. Please take a seat.”
I do as he suggests, not because he asks, but because my legs are getting tired of standing on these horrific stilettos.
“You wanted something?” I drawl, putting the ball in his corner and needing to fill the silence.
“About lunch,” he starts, and I cut him off.
“Yeah, about that . . .”
He shakes his head. “I’m sorry if I acted like an arse, but I was caught off guard seeing you with . . . him.”
He’s jealous. It’s the only explanation for this behavior, then and now.
Oh, what an interesting turn of events.
“You are an ass. Asher is my friend.”
“I don’t like him.”
“I don’t give a damn. He’s been a part of my life since I was eighteen and has been there through my darkest times. He’s not going anywhere.”
His jaw clenches, and his hands ball into fists on his desk, but eventually, his features slacken, showing he’s capable of being an adult.
“I apologize.”
“I accept your apology. But for the record, jealousy isn’t masculine.”
He barks a laugh. “Noted.”
“Is that all you brought me in for?” I say irritably.
“I’ve booked a short trip to Italy with Holly to scout out locations.”
My head jerks back. “Holly?”
I’m not sure what I was expecting. It’s not like I’m miffed about him going somewhere with another girl, especially Holly, but I’m the account manager. Why am I not going?
He nods. “We don’t have time for both of us to go, and I need you here, Raven.”
I know he’s right. As much as I’d love to be whisked off to Italy, this isn’t a fairy tale. It’s our job.
“If you could send me a list of the landmarks and places you’d like to see in the ads, I’ll grab the shots. Photographs of the real area are not something that we find on Google. We need the true angles of exactly how we’ll want the photos done. I think having Holly in the mock shots will really help the team nail this when it’s time to actually shoot.”