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“I have never been so happy to see a set of financial statements in my life.” Richard rubbed the back of his neck before leaning forward. “Tell me this is the last draft.”
“Maybe,” I said. “I need to look at the income numbers for May and June. Something seems off to me.”
Richard groaned, and I grinned at him. “Since it’s Friday and quitting time, I’ll be nice and ask Riley to stay late to pull the reports for me.”
“I appreciate that, but I can do it,” Richard said. “I think Riley has a second job she goes to right after this one. I overheard her and Amanda talking earlier this week. She works every night and the weekends, too. I don’t know how she does it. I’d be a damn zombie.”
Apparently, I didn’t look as sick to my stomach as I felt because instead of asking me if I was about to vomit, Richard stood and said, “I need to finish up something, and then I’ll pull the numbers for May and June and email them to you. Shouldn’t be more than half an hour.”
“Sounds good. Thanks.” My voice was faint, and Richard paused.
“You okay?”
“Yeah,” I said. “Thanks for staying late.”
Richard left my office, and I stared at my shaking hands. Riley was with someone else. She was on her knees and being another man’s good girl every night and every weekend. Nausea permeated my entire body, and for a moment, I was sure I really would throw up.
There was a knock on my door, and I croaked out a ‘come in.’ If it was Riley, I didn’t know what the fuck I would do.
Yell, maybe. Or cry.
Lina stepped into my office and shut the door. She walked toward my desk, smiling cheerfully. “Hey, Deacon, I know you’re busy, but… whoa, are you okay?”
“Fine,” I said, sucking in a deep breath.
“You look like you’re about to throw up on my shoes.” Lina stepped back as if she thought I really might barf on her.
“I’m fine,” I repeated.
“I’m not sure I believe you,” she said.
I forced a smile on my face. “How about now?”
She laughed. “Oh God, don’t take this the wrong way, but that’s the smile of a lunatic.”
I sat back in my chair. “I might be having a day.”
She sat down in the chair across from my desk. “Because of Riley?”
“No,” I said quickly. “So, what’s up? It’s not like you to be at the office two days in a row. Is something wrong? Are Noah and Chloe okay?”
“They’re good,” Lina said. “They’re with their dad in his office. My sister Kate and her husband are in town and we’re meeting them at a restaurant close to the office in about half an hour.”
“Oh,” I said.
We sat silently for a few seconds before I said, “Why do you think my bad day is because of Riley?”
“Because I saw how you looked at each other yesterday and felt that tension between you,” Lina said.
“There’s no tension,” I lied.
“Bullshit,” she said cheerfully. “Trust me, buddy, I know better than anyone when there’s sexual tension between a boss and an assistant. There isn’t a rule against office dating, but don’t do something that makes her quit, okay?”
I bristled. “I’m nothing but professional with Riley.”
“I’m not saying you aren’t,” Lina said. “But she’s sensitive, and something is upsetting her. I want to make sure it isn’t you.”
I didn’t reply, but Lina looked sharply at me. “Have you upset her?”
