Page 92 of Twisted Truth

I raise my brows. “Yes.”

“So you really just met him at a launch and hit it off?” another woman asks.

“Yes.” God, I need to work on my replies.

“And then what?” they press as if I’m being dense on purpose.

“We . . . just hit it off. There was an instant connection, an instant chemistry between us.” That’s not a lie, at least. Even when I thought he hated me and was going to fire me, I could feel something electric coursing between us. “We went on a date, and haven’t really been apart much since.” Also not a total lie. Since I met Asher, I haven’t been away from him much. It’s like we crashed into each other’s lives, got caught up in each other’s orbits, and now our gravitational forces are keeping us tethered to one another.

“But Declan and Sterling are still single,” Cami says. “Wait, would you introduce me? I’d kill to go up to the executive floor! I hear it’s incredible up there.”

“Uh . . . I have a lot of work to get done. Let’s chat another time.”

My phone dings, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

“I have to take this text, it’s from Asher’s PA, Matthew.”

“Ugh, why wasn’t I at that market launch,” Cami groans as she and the others leave my desk. If she only knew.

What would you like for lunch?

I have some work to get done, so I was just going to work through lunch. I’ve been helping the marketing team this morning, and I still have my own work to get to.

Asher says that’s a no. He wants you to come up to his office at one for lunch.

I rollmy eyes and text back.

I really do have work to get to.

Do you really want to poke the beast? He’s already given his instructions.

I super love that he thinks he can dictate my schedule.

He’s the CEO, he can dictate anything he wants to about your work, including your schedule.

Why are you taking his side?

Because I know which battles to fight and which ones don’t even need to be battles. And this one doesn’t.

I feel like he just snaps his fingers and I’m supposed to be at his beck and call.

That’s how businesses work. And plus, Ella, he just wants to see you and make sure you eat. That’s the opposite of most employers, who wouldn’t care if their employees worked through lunch and didn’t take a break during the workday.

Before I can finish textingMatthew, Madelyn pops out of the conference room and waves me over. She asks me one more question about the ad, and when she ducks back in and shuts the door behind her, my phone rings: Matthew.

“Hello?” I say, walking to a quiet corner by the drinking fountain. The floor is buzzing and chaotic this morning.

“How dare you leave me on read. It’s a good thing I love you.”

I snort. “My sincerest apologies, Matthew. Someone had a question for me. You know I would never willingly leave you on read.”

“Lunch?” he asks. “What would you like.”

“So, I’m allowed to at least pick what I eat?”

“Yes, smartass. What would you like to eat?”

“Ella, can I talk to you?” a male voice asks behind me.