Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
GRACE
It’s almost five, and I have gotten zero work done.
Each time I try, my mind wanders, conjuring unprofessional thoughts and scenarios including my sexy boss.
I’m sure he’s caught me looking through his office windows at least a dozen times, but I can’t seem to stop.
I keep reliving our conversation in the restaurant, and there’s a sick feeling in my stomach when I get to the part where I turned him down.
It was the last thing I wanted to do, but what choice did I have?
If someone discovered us, it would be detrimental to my career. Plus, I have to worry about Seven. I don’t think he’d appreciate sharing me with Archer Graves one bit. He’s killed for me before, and he wouldn’t hesitate to murder a man for wanting to date me.
I have to keep my distance from Mr. Graves. It’s the only thing that will keep him alive.
I glance at the clock on my computer, sighing when I notice it’s time to head home. With one last longing look at Mr. Graves’ office, I begin packing my things.
“Hey, killer!”
I flinch, squeezing my eyes tight as Corey’s voice breaks out behind me. He is the last person I want to see right now. I turn slowly, giving him a smile that feels like plastic on my face.
“Hi, Corey.”
“I’m so glad I caught you before you left. You’re a slippery one, Grace.”
Sweet Lord, I have to get out of here. “I guess…” My gaze flicks toward Tricia’s desk and—sure enough—she’s shooting a heated glare at the side of my head. “What’s up, Corey?”
He puffs out his chest, giving me a smile that shows off his new chunky veneers. “I wanted to see if you’re up to grab a drink at Abyss with me?”
I don’t waste a beat. “I’m busy tonight. Sorry.”
“Aw, come on! It’ll be fun. It won’t be a date unless you want it to be.” He gives me a wink, and the back of my neck heats from Tricia’s glare. She’s not even bothering to be subtle about it.
I sling my purse over my shoulder, giving Corey my best no-nonsense stare. “I can’t, Corey. Please respect that.”
“You can’t, or you won’t?” His smile dims. “Just one drink. That’s all.”
Okay, now I’m getting a little pissed. Why the hell can’t he take “no” for an answer? I open my mouth to give him a piece of my mind, only to be interrupted by Tricia’s high-pitched voice.
“Hey, Corey! Grace! I couldn’t help overhearing there might be some plans to go to Abyss? Mind if I tag along?”
I’ve never been so happy to see her. “Tricia! Why don’t you and Corey go? I have plans, as I was just telling Corey, so I can’t go, but you two totally should!”
Tricia’s eyes light up as she pulls Corey into a conversation. His smile fades fully as I slip past them toward the elevator, but like the gentleman he is, he doesn’t try to stop me.
Once outside, I call a car to take me to Saffron’s favorite burger place, which just so happens to be a few blocks from Moriton Memorial. I place a pickup order on the drive over, and within twenty minutes, I’m on my way to Saffron’s hospital room with a hot meal in hand.
I rap on the doorframe, alerting her to my presence. “Knock, knock. You hungry?”
I step into the room, and Saffron’s eyes light up at the sight of the plastic take-out bag in my hand. “Is that The Hollow Cow?”
“It is.” I grin and hand her the bag with her fries and burger. “Extra pickles, no mustard.”
“Ee! You’re the best!” She digs in, stuffing a couple of greasy fries in her mouth and moaning. “Marry me, Grace.”
I laugh. “I’m hoping this means you’re feeling better?”
“Much.” She chews thoughtfully. “My plastic surgeon has been super nice.”
“Is he cute?”
She blushes, and I have my answer. “You should ask him out. When you’re healed—mentally and physically, of course.”
She sighs, her mouth pinching. “What’s the point?”
I shake my head, unable to believe her. “Um, you’re intelligent, loving, honest, and hardworking? Plus, you’re hot. You could have anyone you want.”
My shameless compliments seem to lift her spirits, and a small smile tugs at the corner of her mouth.
“You’re sweet, Grace. Thank you.” She pops another fry into her mouth.
“Enough about me and my love life. How are things with you and the boss?” Her visible eyebrow wiggles suggestively, and a blush creeps up my neck.
“They’re fine.”
“Come on! You have to give me more than that? I’ve been dying of boredom! The only channels they have available are for golf and professional fishing. Fishing, Grace.”
“Okay, okay…” I sigh, resigned. “Nothing big has happened. He bought me a cup of tea this morning, and when my lunch went missing, he took me to lunch. It was… nice. But I’m not trying to make a big thing about it.
He’s my boss, after all. Falling for him will just bring heartbreak and misery into both our lives. ”
She smiles knowingly. “You say that like you think he’s fallen for you already.”
My face blazes. “I don’t want to be presumptuous… but he definitely looks at me like someone more than his employee.” I shiver involuntarily just thinking about it. “It’s like he’s trying to take my clothes off with his eyes.”
“Of course he is! Look at you. Even I have a hard time not checking you out sometimes.” Laughter twists her features, wrinkling the corner of her unbandaged eye. “And from what little you’ve said… yeah, he has it bad.”
“Enough about me,” I say, desperate to change the line of conversation. “Did this super-cute surgeon of yours tell you when you’ll be discharged?”
“Oh! Yes!” Her eyes light. “I’ll be out tomorrow morning. I’ll still have the bandage and stuff for a couple of weeks, but Dr. Herrera says I’ll make a full recovery with minimal scarring.”
“That’s amazing,” I say, reaching out to squeeze her hand. “I’m so happy you’re going to be okay, Saf.”
Saffron gives me a massive grin and tucks into her dinner, her expression eager as she pulls the foil off the burger. My phone beeps with a news alert, and I pull it out to read the headline.
“Carvers Deli Up In Flames!”
I blink down at the screen, my heart hammering. I was just there with Mr. Graves. Is it just a coincidence, or…?
Needing to find out more, I open my phone and scroll through the article. It seems the fire department ruled it as a grease fire, with no signs of foul play—but something doesn’t sit right with me.
Did Red 7 see Mr. Graves and me dining there today? Did he get jealous and burn the place down in retaliation?
A shiver runs down my spine, and I close out of the article, my phone burning in my pocket. If he did see us, then Mr. Graves could be in danger. Seven won’t hesitate to kill Mr. Graves if he sees him as a potential threat to me or the twisted obsession he has with me.
Now, I’m even more convinced I made the right decision at lunch. Anyone who gets too close to me is in danger, and I need to remember that.
“You okay, Grace?”
I whip my head to Saffron, doing my best to smile. “Of course. Why do you ask?”
She frowns. “You just seem tired. Anxious…”
I shrug, unable to meet her eyes. “There’s just a lot on my plate. I promise I’m fine, though.”
“If you say so…” She narrows her eyes. “You should head home. Get some rest.”
“But what about you?”
She waves me off. “I’ll be fine. I have my favorite food in the whole world, and I got to see my favorite person.” Her eyes twinkle with a smile. “Plus, I’ll have plenty of opportunities to flirt with Dr. Sexy.”
I laugh, reaching over to give her a gentle hug. “You’re gonna give that poor guy a heart attack.”
She shrugs. “We are in a hospital. He’s covered. Now—shoo! Go get some sleep.”
Not having the strength to argue, I give Saffron another hug goodbye and head home—praying there won’t be any more surprises waiting for me.
But a smaller, forbidden part hopes a deranged serial killer will be lying in my bed.