Chapter 7 #2
And just like that, my knees go a little weak. That voice could talk me into absolutely anything. It will be a miracle if I don’t pass out from the sheer audio-induced arousal.
The bathroom door opens, and new boots appear under the stall door. Heavy, worn-in boots.
You have got to be kidding me.
“Slater.” Jasper’s voice fills the small space. “Didn’t know you were back in.”
“Just docked. Figured I’d pop in and check out the new hire.”
“Yeah? He’s in here somewhere.” There’s a pause. “Ash, you still alive in there?”
I close my eyes. “Yep. Very much alive. Just taking my time.”
I’m still sitting fully clothed on the toilet, blushing like crazy.
“Good to know,” Jasper says, and I swear I hear amusement in his tone.
The door opens again.
More boots. Lighter ones, with red laces.
“Are we having a meeting in here?” I call out before I can stop myself. “Because I didn’t get the memo.”
Slater laughs, a deep, rumbling sound. “Apparently this is where all the important conversations happen.”
“Slater!” Dylan’s voice is warm. “When’d you get back?”
“Just now.”
Do guys actually do this? Just hang out in bathrooms and chat? I thought this was exclusively a female thing. Is this what I’ve been missing my entire life?
“We’ve got that fishing charter in two days,” Dylan says. “You around for it?”
“Planning on it. Already checked the weather. Should be clear.”
“Good. We could use your expertise on the route.” Jasper’s voice moves closer to my stall. “You doing okay in there, Ash? Need us to call for backup?” He chuckles.
“I’m fine!” My voice comes out strangled.
All three of them laugh.
“First-day jitters,” Dylan says. “You’ll settle in.”
I’m holding my breath, waiting for someone to say more, to voice whatever suspicion is clearly brewing.
“Take your time, Ash,” Jasper says. “No rush. We were actually about to discuss the supply inventory for next week, but we can do that out there.”
“Yeah, let’s give the guy some privacy,” Slater agrees.
I hear footsteps moving toward the door.
“Hey, Ash?” Dylan’s voice is closer now, right outside my stall.
“Yeah?”
“Don’t drown in there on your first day.” He bangs on the stall door, making me jump. “That’s a lot of paperwork.”
All three of them are laughing as they leave, the door swinging shut behind them.
I sit in silence for a long moment, listening to my heartbeat gradually slow down.
“Oh God,” I whisper, burying my face in my hands. “What am I doing?”
The fake facial hair scratches against my palms. The wig is making my scalp itch even worse now. And I’m pretty sure I’ve sweated through at least two layers.
But I did it. I survived a bathroom encounter with three Alphas.
Though, now I have to go back out there and face them.
I finally use the toilet, then step out of the stall.
The bathroom is actually nice, I notice now that I’m not having a complete meltdown. Clean, modern fixtures. Good lighting. There’s even a potted plant on the counter next to the sink, some kind of fern that’s thriving despite being in a bathroom.
I wash my hands thoroughly, checking my reflection in the mirror. The wig is slightly askew. I adjust it carefully, making sure the edges are smooth. The facial hair is still in place. The contacts haven’t shifted.
I still look like Ash Monroe.
For now.
I dry my hands and take a deep breath. “Pull it together. You can do this.”
Then I push open the door and step back into the main office.
Everything appears normal. Mason is at his desk, focused on his computer. Dylan is on the phone, laughing about something. Jasper is leaning against Slater’s desk near the window, both of them studying something on a tablet.
Slater glances up as I pass and gives me a nod.
I do the same back, trying to look casual, and return to my desk.
My laptop is exactly where I left it, content calendar still open on the screen. I settle back into my chair and try to focus.
Instagram strategy. Posting schedule. Caption ideas.
Normal work things.
I’m actually making progress, getting into the planning, when a shadow falls over me. I lift my gaze.
Mason appears at my desk. “So, Ash. Tonight we’re going out to dinner to celebrate your first day. It’s customary.”
“Oh. That’s really thoughtful, but—”
“There’s a new dumpling place in town. Asian fusion. Food is incredible.” He’s smiling, friendly and open. “Our treat.”
“That sounds tasty, but I should probably—”
Dylan appears beside Mason, grinning widely. “And it’s also customary that we bring family. So bring your sister along.”
My brain stutters to a complete halt. “Oh, no. She wouldn’t want to come. She doesn’t like dumplings.”
Dylan raises an eyebrow. “That’s hard to believe. Who doesn’t like dumplings?”
“She’s very particular. About food. And social situations. Especially with new people. She gets anxious.” I’m talking too fast. Slow down. “She’d really prefer to stay home.”
“Well, we won’t accept no for an answer,” Mason insists, and his tone is friendly but there’s steel underneath it. Firm. “We’re a family business, Ash. We want to know our employees’ families, support each other. It’s important to us.”
Jasper appears from somewhere, joining the group surrounding my desk. Three Alphas, all watching me, all waiting.
“It really is customary,” Jasper adds. “We’ve done it for everyone who’s joined the team. Brings everyone closer.”
And then Slater is there too, making it four. Four massive Alphas forming a semicircle around my desk, all focused on me.
The pressure is immense. Suffocating.
I feel like I’m being backed into a corner, except the corner is made of very attractive men who smell incredible and are asking me to produce a fictional sister who is actually me.
“Sure,” I hear myself say. “Why not? I’ll ask her. I’m sure she’ll say yes.”
“That’s the spirit!” Dylan claps me on the shoulder, and I brace myself this time so I don’t topple over.
“Great,” Mason states, and his smile widens. “I’ll email you the address, so meet us there at seven tonight.” Then they head back to their respective offices, and I stare at my laptop screen without actually seeing anything.
My mind is spinning, frantically trying to calculate how this could possibly work. How am I going to pull off being two people in one night?
Ash and Anita. At the same dinner. With four Alphas who are already suspicious.
This isn’t just complicated. This is impossible.
I pull out my phone under the desk and open my notes app, typing quickly.
Plan for tonight:
Option 1: Anita arrives late (how late? 30 min? An hour?)
Option 2: Ash leaves early with an emergency (what emergency?)
Option 3: Keep switching in the bathroom (risky, exhausting, insane)
Option 4: Fake food poisoning for one of them (too suspicious)
Option 5: Learn to teleport
I delete the last one.
This is going to require strategy. Perfect timing. Probably more lying than I’ve done in my entire life combined.
I’m good at lying now, apparently, but tonight is going to be a complete nightmare.
Except, I’ve come this far, so I’m not backing out now.
Even if it might actually kill me.
Which, let’s be honest, it very well might.