Chapter 7
ARI
I brace myself for impact when I reach the top floor—derail and explode on impact—I’m minutes from that happening, I’m sure of it.
“Hey, I’m Joseph, lovely to meet you.” I’m instantly greeted by the top-floor receptionist who gently cups my elbow and walks us with urgency to the door of the boardroom.
“Why can’t you take the minutes for the meeting?” Like a doe caught in the headlights, I’m startled and so far outside of my comfort zone, my mouth has gone drier than the Sahara. “I need a drink.”
“There’s water inside.” Joseph juts his chin in the direction of the room.
“I might need something stronger.”
“We’ll save that for after work, sweetie.
” He smiles warmly. “And I can’t take the minutes, I’m just the receptionist. My job is to look pretty.
” Running his manicured fingers over his perfectly styled wavy locks, he adds, “And keeping everyone happy is a full-time job, then there’s being nice to clients, making the coffee, screening calls and keeping them to a minimum.
That aside, reminding everyone not to talk to Mr. Crankypants unless instructed to is exhausting. ”
“Who the hell is Mr. Crankypants?”
Joseph winks. “Technically they all are on this floor. But one is worse than the others. You’ll see.”
Shit. Shit. Shit.
What the hell was I thinking? I can’t do this.
“Yes, you can.”
I must have said that out loud.
“My oh my, you are pretty.” Joseph takes a step back and hums in approval at my outfit. “You are damn fine, girl.”
Nervous laughter leaves my lungs. “Any words of advice?” It’s too late for that; I’m in way over my head, and it will blow my mission apart before it’s even begun if I flee now.
“Listen. Type fast. Don’t let Crankypants get to you because it’s not personal, he’s just, well… you’ll see. And lastly, be invisible.”
I let out a long exhale; I can do that. “Got it. And don’t pee myself on the first day.”
Joseph chuckles. “I like you and I can see us being friends.” He gestures to the space between us. “I hope you last longer than his previous secretary.”
Friends? No way. Someone that could come in useful? Yes.
“Great, let’s go for that drink after work one night.” I accept his earlier invitation.
Deception is most unlike me, but it’s a small step on the path to my destination.
“It’s a date,” Joseph confirms, reaching past me as he pushes the door open and grabs my shoulder with the other, urging me to enter the room. “See you in two hours.”
Two hours? Is that how long the meeting is? I should have used the bathroom first.
I ask him over my shoulder, “I’m the new records clerk.” I can’t believe Janice was being serious when she said I got a promotion—I don’t want it. “What did you mean when you said I’m his new secretary? Who is he ?”
“You’ll meet him soon.” He pushes me fully into the room and I stumble clumsily into it, making everyone around the table turn to look at the calamity that is me as the door closes behind me.
World, swallow me up now.
I’m drawing far too much attention to myself.
Coming to a standstill, I clutch the laptop to my chest and inhale a deep breath that’s filled with dread then quickly study the faces. Oh, thank God. I exhale in relief as unfamiliar people stare back at me from around the boardroom table.
I drop my shoulders and summon all the confidence I haven’t felt since walking through the doors of the building this morning and try my best to hide how flustered I feel. Okay, maybe I can do this …
“Good morning.” I give them a hint of a smile, walk around the table, then take a seat at the end of it while they mumble polite greetings and go back to talking amongst each other.
“We will begin in five minutes,” one of the women informs me as I make myself comfortable.
“Thank you,” I reply, unable to comprehend how I ended up here. This is a curve ball I wasn’t prepared for.
You’ve got this, Ari.
Be invisible. Joseph’s words of advice swirl around my head, my nerves settling down a little.
I make myself busy, locate the software on the laptop to take the minutes, and set up a new document in the same way I’ve done hundreds of times before.
Focused on the screen, I jump when a raucous roar of laughter from what sounds like a rowdy group of frat boys comes from behind the door then bursts into the room.
I snap my head up in the direction of the noise and quicker than the crack of a whip, my blood turns cold.
Oh no.
This wasn’t supposed to happen.
It takes what feels like seventy hours for the men to say their hellos, although it’s only seconds, but it’s enough time for my stomach to turn into a pit of unease. It feels heavy and sour with anticipation, as if a viper is coiling through my gut.
It all happens in slow motion; one after the other, their gazes land on me, making them fall silent.
“Hello again,” one of them, who I know to be Cole, greets me.
I know each one of them because I’ve spent hours studying the company’s website and each one of their cases.
“Oh, wow,” another chimes in, his tone laced with subtle humor. Eli.
The third, Max, flashes me a shit-eating grin. “Well, this is a nice surprise.”
But standing at the forefront is the man who looks as though he’s been sculpted from the finest marble—sharp and chiseled. Rigid and unmoving, he could pass for a statue if not for the faint twitch in his jaw.
I feel a pang of anguish inside, mixed with an unwelcome spark of desire—completely inappropriate under the circumstances.
Because it’s him.
Nathaniel Hart.
The man I shared an unforgettable night with.
And the man I had fervently hoped to avoid until absolutely necessary.
“Everyone out. Now,” he barks, and the air between us turns frosty. “Except you.” He points at me, and I let out a small whimpered noise that sounds like a cocktail of shock and fear.
Everything is going to shit. This was never part of my plan.
And now I’m really screwed.