Chapter 12 #2
My whole body flushed hot, then cold, then hot again. I spun around so fast I nearly took out a potted plant, pressing my back against the wall outside his office. My heart was hammering wildly in my chest, and my knees felt about as stable as Jell-O in an earthquake.
Get it together, Zoe. You’re here on a mission, not to recreate last night’s foyer scene in his office.
Though speaking of that scene… No. No, no, no. The way his muscles had felt under my hands, the growl he’d made when I’d tugged his hair, the taste of his mouth…
Focus, Zoe. Plot. Story. Right.
But Lord help me, the man looked like every romance novel hero come to life, and my body was staging a full rebellion against my brain’s attempts at self-control.
Movement caught my eye—Sophia and Ethan by the break room, their heads bent close together over what was probably a marketing report but looked suspiciously like flirting.
Right. The plot. I had to fix this before the whole story went off the rails like a romance novel written by a caffeinated squirrel.
Taking a deep breath, I marched into Jason’s office like a woman on a mission. Which I was. Just not the mission he thought.
Jason looked up, his face doing that thing where he tried to look professionally neutral but his eyes gave him away. Those eyes should come with a warning label: Caution - May Cause Spontaneous Combustion.
“Victoria,” he said, voice low and warm, and suddenly my mind helpfully supplied a highlight reel of all the ways he could say my name, preferably while doing things that definitely weren’t appropriate for office hours…
Bad brain. Stop that.
“I was just…” What was my excuse again? I’d had one. A good one. But then he’d rolled up his sleeves and my IQ dropped about fifty points. “…in the neighborhood?”
His lips twitched. “The neighborhood of the executive floor of my building?”
“It’s a very nice neighborhood. Great… plants.” I gestured vaguely at the potted fern I’d nearly assassinated earlier.
“The plants are what brought you up here?” His eyes were dancing now, and the way he leaned back in his chair should be illegal.
“Maybe I’m considering a career in corporate botany.”
“Is that what we’re calling it?”
“Well, I can hardly admit I came to see you, can I?” The words slipped out before I could stop them, and the heat that flared in his eyes made my knees weak.
“And why not?” He stood, coming around his desk, and suddenly the office felt very small and very warm.
“Because…” Because I’m supposed to be setting you up with someone else. Because I’m not supposed to want you like this. Because every time you look at me like that, I forget how to breathe. “Because you’re very busy and important?”
“I’m never too busy for my wife.” The way he said wife did things to my insides that had nothing to do with our legal status and everything to do with how he was looking at me right now.
“About last night—” I started, then immediately regretted it when his eyes darkened with heat.
“Yes?” He took a step closer, and I forgot what words were.
Thank God for Barb and her impeccable timing. She swept in like an administrative angel, armed with her tablet and a look that suggested she’d seen it all and timed her interruptions accordingly.
“Mr. Everett, the marketing department meeting? About the new employee wellness initiative?”
Right. Meeting. Plot. Plan. Focus.
“Mind if I join?” I asked, probably too quickly. “I’m very interested in… wellness. And initiatives. Initiative wellness.”
Jason’s eyebrow lifted, but his lips curved in that devastating half smile. “You’re welcome to join. As my wife, you’re technically a shareholder.”
The word ‘wife’ again. My cheeks heated, and from Barbara’s knowing look, she hadn’t missed either my blush or the tension crackling between us like a live wire.
My phone buzzed.
Claire: Eagle Eye here! Everything’s ready! Operation: Love Stuck is GO! ????
Mike: Tech Wizard in position! Ready to work some magic! ?
Madison: OMG, this is better than my shows! ??
What could possibly go wrong?
The walk to the elevator felt like a red-carpet parade, if the red carpet was office carpet and the paparazzi were pretending to work while obviously watching Victoria Everett voluntarily spending time with her husband.
Madison and Lucy were doing their best casual-loitering-by-the-elevator impression, which mostly involved a lot of exaggerated paper shuffling and poorly hidden grins.
My phone buzzed.
Madison: OMG, IT’S HAPPENING! ??
Claire: Eagle Eye ready! Tech Wizard standing by! ??
Lucy: I can’t believe I’m part of this! ??
Then, because the universe clearly wanted to reward my matchmaking efforts, Sophia and Ethan appeared, walking so close their shoulders brushed. Perfect timing. Now I just had to get Sophia into that elevator with Jason, trap them together, and let destiny take its course.
I caught Madison’s eye and winked. She and Lucy flashed me subtle OK signs behind their folders. Operation: Love Stuck was officially a go.
The elevator dinged, and my body moved before my brain could catch up.
I grabbed Jason’s arm—sweet Lord, those biceps—and pulled him toward the elevator.
But physics and my traitorous legs had other plans.
Instead of smoothly maneuvering him in Sophia’s direction, I stumbled, practically yanking both of us into the elevator.
No, no, no! I spun around, reaching out to grab Sophia, to somehow salvage this rapidly derailing plan, but Madison had already executed a pivot worthy of a professional dancer, somehow managing to block the entrance while looking completely innocent.
Lucy’s finger jabbed the door close button with ninja-like precision.
“Oh, you can take the next one!” Madison chirped, gesturing to the other elevator. “This one’s looking a bit full!”
The doors slid shut on Sophia’s confused face, and my heart started doing the cha-cha in triple time.
This was not how it was supposed to go. Sophia was supposed to be in here with Jason, not me.
The universe was clearly having a great laugh at my expense, probably high-fiving fate while munching on cosmic popcorn and enjoying the show.
My phone exploded with messages.
Mike: Magic activated! The love trap is set! ?
Claire: Operation: Rekindle Romance is GO! ??
Madison: Mrs. E’s plan worked perfectly! This is so romantic! ??
Lucy: Best romantic gesture ever! So proud to be part of this! ??
Claire: Nothing like a stuck elevator to spice up a marriage! ??
Madison: Taking notes for my future relationship goals! ??
Oh God. They all thought this was my plan all along—Victoria Everett orchestrating a romantic moment with her husband. If they only knew I was trying to set him up with someone else.
The car jerked to a halt.
Jason frowned, reaching for the emergency button. “That’s odd.”
Odd isn’t the word for it, buddy. Try ‘backfired matchmaking attempt’ or ‘cosmic practical joke’ or ‘how to accidentally trap yourself with the wrong right person.’
“Maintenance says it’ll be about fifteen minutes,” Jason reported, then turned those devastating eyes on me. “Interesting timing.”
“Is it?” My voice hit a note only dogs could hear.
My phone kept buzzing with what I was sure were more encouraging messages from my well-meaning but completely misguided conspiracy team.
They all thought I’d planned this romantic interlude, probably imagining I was some sort of relationship genius trying to spice up my marriage.
If they only knew I was actually the world’s worst matchmaker, currently failing spectacularly at my own plan.
“Victoria.” He took a step closer, and suddenly the elevator felt about the size of a postage stamp. His eyes held a dangerous glint that reminded me of last night’s foyer encounter.
My phone buzzed again. I caught a glimpse of Madison’s message.
So romantic! Like a perfect romance movie scene! ??
He moved closer, and I retreated until my back hit the wall. He planted one hand beside my head, effectively caging me in, and oh my God, this was straight out of every K-drama I’d ever watched. Except I was supposed to be the evil second lead, not the heroine.