Page 37 of A Simple Reminder
I need to find out what he did to her and whether hiring him was a huge mistake. The guy I saw her with almost six years ago must have been Jared. I didn’t see his face clearly, but my gut tells me it was him. The image flashes in my mind—his lips on hers, the way her hands rested on his shoulders. I can’t shake the thought of them together, the easy familiarity they must’ve shared. She was smiling. She was happy—how could he have hurt her?You did too, you idiot.
I shake the thought away, frustration simmering under my skin.This isn’t about me.Has she forgiven him? Did I just put her in a situation where old wounds might reopen? Worse, what if I’ve set the stage for something to rekindle?Fuck.
I need to handle this like an adult. The priority is to check in with Sophie and ensure she’s comfortable with the arrangement. She’s my employee, and her well-being is crucial. Once I’ve spoken to her and addressed any concerns, it’s time to get this project done and leave this mess behind. The faster it’s done, the faster Sophie will get rid of me.
SEVENTEEN
LIAM
It’s been two days since I put Sophie and Jared to work, and every second has been pure torture. Watching them in the office—my office—seeing Sophie laugh so easily with him, I don’t like it. I did this to myself, and now I’m paying the price.
Sitting at my desk, trying to focus on the stack of paperwork in front of me, but my eyes keep drifting over to them. Jared is currently leaning in closer to Sophie, pointing at one of the hundreds of magazines spread out between them.
Why is he so close? And why is she eagerly nodding at him with that smile? Whatever he’s saying can’t be interesting enough for that kind of reaction. Nobody isthatinteresting.
I’m supposed to be working, making phone calls, reviewing contracts. Instead, I’m stuck watching them, unable to tear my eyes away. Like a damn black hole—pulling me in, no matter how hard I try to resist.
I catch snippets of their conversation and the worst part? They’re actually working. Between us three, I’m the one failing at the “work” part right now. And what’s even worse, some of Jared’s ideas are good. Which is the reason I hired him. But the way they're interacting is just too relaxed, too easy, and it grates on me like sandpaper on raw skin. Not pleasant at all. But as I’m the problem, I’ll have to learn to be comfortable in the uncomfortable. I have no choice. I need to push through, try everything, and make this hotel the next best thing in New York. I promised Lucas and my uncle that, and Ialwayskeep my promises.
She’s wearing a fitted blouse that clings to her frame just right, the soft fabric skimming over her curves before falling to meet tailored pants that hug her hips. Her thick, sunshine hair is pulled back into a ponytail that sways slightly with each nod, drawing my gaze to the graceful curve of her neck. Her makeup is subtle but intentional—her eyes darker, her lips glossier than usual, as if she’s deliberately making herself irresistible. It’s like she dressed not just to feel confident but to command the room. And fuck, it kills me.
I lean back in my chair, fingers digging into the armrests. I shouldn’t feel this—I know that much—but the sensation won’t go away. All I want to do is pull that damn ponytail, wrap it around my fist, and make her forgive me.
My computer dings with a new email, but the sound barely registers. My grip tightens as I force myself to look away, pretending to care about the glowing screen in front of me.
I’mthe boss,I should be in control, but right now, I feel like anything but.
Ultimately, I can’t take it anymore they’re too comfortable and I’m not. Which isn’t equal at all. I rise from my chair, striding across the room in a mere second, making sure my presence is felt. They look up, surprised, as I stand over them, forcing myself to speak, to remind them—and myself—who’s in charge here.
What the fuck do I say now?
“Jared,” I say his name without the usual bite, which surprises me.
One point to me.
“How’s that concept for the rooftop coming along?”
Jared straightens up, nodding quickly enough that his perfect, slicked-back hair falls out of place. “Good. We’ve got a few solid ideas we’re refining.”
“What have you got so far?” I ask, but my voice feels distant, more formal than genuine interest. Sophie’s gaze is fixed on Jared as he answers my question, but I’m not listening to a single word he says. All I see is how the delicate flower tattoo behind her ear catches the light. The one she got with me. I almost feel a surge of possessiveness rising within me, wanting to release her ponytail so that her hair falls freely, hiding the tattoo from Jared’s eyes. It’sourmemory together, just me and her.
My eyes move to her hand, but the matching tattoo on her finger is still gone. Why did I assume it would reappear? My thumb absently caresses the ink on my own finger, the one we once shared as a symbol of the chance encounter that brought us together. As if sensing my thoughts, her eyes drift to my hand, and she mirrors my actions, her fingers brushing the spot where her tattoo used to be. She bites her lip, her eyes dropping for just a second as if the weight of the past has brushed against her thoughts.
The knot in my chest tightens.Let this go. Leave it in the past. Don’t force it on her.
“Make sure you have ten ideas ready by Monday,” I say, “No excuses.”
I don’t know why I've suddenly become an asshole, but the words slip out of my mouth, mostly pointing at Jared, but Sophie is with him. Everything I throw at him will affect Sophie too.
She looks at me, her smile a little more subdued. “Of course.”
But then her eyes linger on my hand for a moment longer, and I can’t shake the feeling that we’re both still caught in that memory, even as I turn away and head back to my desk.
Damn you, Lucas, for putting me in this situation. Damn you for making these unresolved feelings, ones I thought I’d buried deep, creep back out. And damn you, because I’m starting to feel like it will be impossible to walk away when this is all over.
After hoursof paperwork and torment, Jared finally stands up, stretching in his ugly beige suit that somehow looks like it was made from old office carpeting.
He starts gathering some scattered papers, but Sophie stops him with a gentle smile.
