Chapter 29
twenty-nine
If I didn’t already feel guilty about accepting Graham’s deal against my better judgment—I do when I walk onto the executive floor and run right into my boss and Ella.
He cuts a formidable figure in his navy suit, even with his head bent over his fiancée’s. She looks tense. Her eyes are wide; her lips pinched around the small smile she offers him.
Mr. Stryker doesn’t buy it. He cups his hand under her face and traces his thumb over her mouth, frowning at her expression. “Ellie…”
“I’m really fine,” she insists, full of forced brightness. “I have things to do today, Grayson. I’ll be okay!”
She seems anxious. With the press practically stalking her, it’s a wonder she ever leaves her house.
Come to think of it, how didn’t I put that together before? Am I that out of sorts lately? From what? Graham?
Dios mío .
The man truly scrambles my brain. It’s a miracle I got through the preliminary prenup work I did yesterday.
Mr. Stryker’s thick brows furrow, but Ella turns toward me, relief passing over her face. “Oh look, it’s Juliet!”
Her obvious bid for a distraction brings a smile to my face. It really is impossible not to fall in love with Ella. I see why a man who could have anyone so clearly adores her.
She looks as lovely and oddly dressed as ever in bell-bottom jeans and a thick mustard sweater. A pair of clunky green clogs peek out from the wide denim legs of her pants.
For a moment, I’m almost jealous. The ugly shoes look very comfortable, especially next to the prospect of a long day in platform heels. Not to mention the trek to Graham’s after work.
“See!” Ella crows, waving one unpolished hand at me. “I told you she could help. Juliet knows how to choose colors. Look at that dress.”
Another of Abuelita’s creations. The fitted blush frock has sharp, exaggerated shoulders, long sleeves, and a tapered skirt. The slit up the back reminds me of Graham’s fingers trailing along the backs of my thighs. Flushing, I run both hands over the fitted sheath and look down to hide my overheated cheeks.
Thankfully, Mr. Stryker doesn’t even glance my way. His eyes narrow at Ella, glowering. “Ellie. You’re changing the subject. It won’t work.”
Ella pins me with a beaming grin that tells me it will, in fact, work. “Ignore him. He needs to get to work. And I need to make a final decision on colors for the wedding. I’m driving Alice crazy. Last week, I was sure I wanted to do shades of yellow, but now I’m thinking purples…”
Sighing heavily, Mr. Stryker tucks his babbling fiancée under his arm and finally faces me. “I’m just uneasy about leaving Ella alone when she’s feeling so anxious,” he explains. “And she thinks I’m being overprotective.”
Ella’s sapphire eyes roll. “Because he is . I have Marco following my every move. What kind of lunatic would ever want to take him on? That’s like starting a bar fight with the Incredible Hulk.”
Mr. Stryker and I laugh—me loudly, him with reluctance.
“She has a point,” I chuckle. “Marco will take good care of her, I’m sure. And wedding colors are important. They set the whole tone.”
Ella smacks my boss’s chest with the back of her wrist. “I told you so,” she says, then twirls back to me. “Jules, can I add you to my wedding group chat? I want your opinions on swatches!”
I think of Dominic breathing down my neck. I still have to catch up on all of the “work” he wanted me to come in for over the weekend. Since I denied him, he’ll probably be in one of his moods. Checking my phone will just make him angrier.
But my logic is no match for Ella’s genuine enthusiasm. At the sight of her glowing expression, I have to grin. “Of course.” My eyes slide to Mr. Stryker. “As long as my boss doesn’t mind me looking at swatches on work time, of course.”
Mr. Stryker shoots me a slight, grateful smile. “Project approved, Miss Rivera. If Dominic gives you any grief, tell him you’re working on another personal assignment for me. Send him my way if he requires further confirmation.”
He turns his face back to Ella. “You’ll stick close to Marco and listen if he tells you something is risky? And text me? A lot?”
She stretches up to kiss his cheek. “Yes. Promise.”
And then, I’ll take you. Promise.
Graham’s vow echoes through my mind. For a second, I swear I can feel his palm sliding against mine, pulling me into his arms for our dance. A tingle shivers down my spine.
Ella steps away from Grayson and squeezes my upper arm on her way past me. “I’ll add you to the group chat,” she bubbles, smiling before casting one last adoring, amused look at my boss. “Do try to keep him busy today, will you? If he keeps worrying like this, he’ll have gray hair in the wedding pictures.”
Mr. Stryker and I watch her stroll to the elevators. He’s still smiling widely when the doors slide closed. He shakes his head. “She’s not wrong.”
I reach into my work bag. “Maybe this will help. I finished the draft of your marriage contract yesterday. It’s in your personal portal, but I printed one out to drop in your inbox, too. Maybe you can give the hard copy to Ella and get it all locked down before your vacation next week.”
But Mr. Stryker grimaces as he takes the contract from me. “Can’t really say I’m happy to see this. We’ll spend all week arguing about it.”
Arguing? He’s basically gifting her half a billion dollars .
Images of Ella’s handmade sweater and hideous rubber shoes come to mind. The way she doesn’t have her nails done or carry a designer handbag.
“She doesn’t want any of it,” I realize out loud.
A deeply sardonic smile stretches across Mr. Stryker’s handsome features. “Not a blessed thing. I spent half my life worried someone would only want me for my money. And now that I have someone I want to give things to, she hates it. Ironic, right?”
I smirk. “Well, I hope she doesn’t give you too much grief. But at least you’ll have a week off to make up?”
Mr. Stryker’s green eyes light. “Excellent point.”
He holds the contract up as he starts back toward his half of the floor. He suddenly pauses. “Thank you for this, Juliet. I know the turnaround was tight. I really appreciate it. And thanks for taking the time to look at those color swatches. Ella admires your style, and I know she’ll value your opinion.”
He really is a great boss. A good person. Somehow, knowing he chose Graham as his best friend raises my opinion of the man.
Although, Ella does call him “shithead.”