19. Reagan, Monday 1000 p.m.
Chapter nineteen
I ‘m halfway through painting the plaster wall in a calming glacier blue, one that unfortunately matches Hot Daddy’s eyes a little too perfectly.
Not that I’m thinking about that.
Blue has always been my favorite color.
That’s the lie I’m telling myself, and we’re all sticking to it.
I was bored during my time off and wanted to be productive.
Apparently, I picked the exact shade of his eyes.
My work phone buzzes.
Internal Notice: Calhoun Industries
Mandatory All-Department Heads Meeting
10:00 a.m., Executive Conference Room A
Attendance required.
Please see Mr. Calhoun’s office for additional briefing details if needed .
I stare at the screen.
My stomach knots.
This wasn’t supposed to happen yet.
Bobbie, still holding a paintbrush, tilts her head.
“You okay?”
I hold out the phone.
She winces.
“You think this is random?”
“I mean… maybe?” I mutter.
“The big boss is in town. He’s been rolling out top-down changes at every branch. But a meeting with twelve hours’ notice? Unless we’re all fired, what could be this urgent?”
Bobbie raises a brow.
“His name’s not Brooks,” I add quickly.
“No one in upper management even has a name close.”
I try for a smile and glance at the wall.
“Honestly, it’s just a bad week to be sick. I guess I go back tomorrow.”
Bobbie looks at the wall, trying to salvage something.
“We got the room done, at least.”
I sigh, but the knot in my stomach tightens.
Tomorrow, I’ll be back in the building.
Back where they can track me, watch me, close the distance.
I was hoping for another day or two of space.
Planning.
But maybe I’m being na?ve.
If they know where I work, they already know where I live.