CHAPTER FOURTEEN
LEXI
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“I’m not sure about this,” I say, rubbing my now bare wrist.
It’s feeling much better, although not completely healed, but I removed the bandage because I don’t want Mason to focus on it. There’s a chance Mr. Harrow didn’t say anything, and this is all just a misunderstanding. Perhaps Mason wanted me to take time off to heal my injury.
Well, I’ve taken that off the table.
Or I’m about to get fired.
Not that it matters, because Emily has convinced me to resign. We’re in the elevator heading up to the executive floor, her bodyguard, Troy, leaning against the wall behind us.
My stomach turns.
“I’m sure. Trust me. The plan is a good one,” Emily encourages, and Troy snorts quietly.
I shoot him a look, and he lowers his sunglasses back over his eyes. Great. How will he see any danger coming with those Ray-Bans on?
Whatever.
I think he’s a former US Marine, so I’ll let him figure it out.
“No offense, Em but the last time you came up with a great idea, everything went kind of sideways.”
She waves me off. “I’m much older now.”
“That was six weeks ago!”
“Still. I learned my lesson. And I know how these men work. I told you, just quit. We’ll find you another job, and in the meantime, I will hire you as my wedding planner.”
“Which you already have.”
“A second planner. It’s a very important wedding.”
“Which is three weeks away, so everything is done.”
“Then my PA.”
“I’m not being your PA. If you ask me to get your dry-cleaning, I’ll—”
“Do you want to tell Mason to stick it or wait for him to fire you?”
The thought of him telling me I’m fired has stopped me eating for days. I feel sick to my stomach and hate this. One minute he’s asking me on a date while I’m spread out on his desk, the next he’s barking at me to leave his office.
In some ways, this feels even worse than back in London.
“Well...yes.”
Ping.
“Then follow my lead,” she whispers, and I step out of the elevator with Emily and Troy in tow.
“There you are,” Mason stands near my desk, staring down at a tablet, then does a double take. His mouth parts as he takes in my crew but quickly returns to me, where his eyes roam the length of my body.
Not going to lie, I wore my almost inappropriate fitted nude dress on purpose. It’s more than figure hugging, showing off every curve and accentuating my long legs and perfect C-cups.
A girl must weaponize herself in any and all ways.
I roll my gloss between my lips and hope he doesn’t see me swallow silently.
“What’s this?” He drops the tablet to his side.
“Hi Mason,” Emily, with more confidence than I’ve seen her have in my life, steps forward and they share an awkward hug.
“Em.”
“Sorry to inform you like this, but I’m stealing your PA,” she announces.
“Stealing?” He glances quickly at Troy then back at me.
“Yes, she’s coming to work with me.” Emily nods.
Christ, we should have run this past Sebastian. He’s going to kill her.
Then me.
“Work for you,” Mason repeats, his eyes drifting to me, and he looks as convinced as I feel.
“Mm hm,” Emily replies, nodding.
I take a step forward, joining her. “I realize this is a breach of my contract, but—”
I wait for him to say it’s fine. This is an out for both of us. He should take it. Please take it.
“But?”
Goddamn him.
Come on Mason, don’t make me say it.
I stare at his single, perfectly shaped brow that lifts high up on his lovely forehead and bite the inside of my mouth.
He is not going to make this easy.
I glance at Emily, and I see her amazing plan has come to an end. I’m on my own.
I go to take another step, and he stiffens, his nostrils flaring like I’m some virus.
“Can we...can we please talk?” I glance at his office.
Troy clears his throat, and Mason shoots another look his way. For some reason that seems to work.
“Okay. Emily do you want to wait in the boardroom for...your new PA?”
I swear, Troy chuckles.
“I’ll just wait at Lexi’s desk.”
He nods and gives me a look that says, follow me as he mumbles, “Former desk.”
Great.
My worst nightmare has come true.
I was really hoping he would fight for me and tell me this was all my imagination, but it’s clear Mr. Harrow has shared the inaccurate details of our legal situation.
Mason will never believe me.