Page 245 of The Monster and the Masochist

“You look so pretty in those heels,” I whispered.

Then, I placed a hand on his still bleeding chest, and… I just… pushed.

Six Months Later

“Mrs. Walker! I have Mr. Cross here to see you!” Alyssa said, poking her head into my office. “Ugh. I’m in a rush. What does he want?” I asked brusquely as I stuffed my laptop into my Chanel bag.

“I’ll only be a sec.”

I scowled as Nolan’s voice rolled through the room. I straightened up and turned to find that, as usual, he’d let himself in without waiting for Alyssa to invite him through.

“Are you ever going to follow proper meeting protocol?” I sighed, and he grinned.

“Well, I’m hoping that if you hear me out, we can make our own protocol. I elect to make it clear that exceptions will always be made for me, considering I’m your bestie and all.”

“Nolan, I have no idea what the fuck you’re talking about, and I was being serious. I’m in a rush. It’s my wife’s grand opening today, and I’m already running late.”

“No shit? That’s today? Hold up, let me grab my stuff. I’ll come with you. Meet me at the elevators?”

He didn’t wait for me to agree before rushing back out past Alyssa, who was smothering a giggle behind her hand.

I rolled my eyes.

“Fucking men,” I grumbled, and Alyssa nodded, stepping back to give me room as I made my way out.

I told Alyssa she could leave early, considering I was leaving early too, and she was adorably grateful for the afternoon off, which made me smile.

Nolan was already jogging to catch up with me by the time I’d made it to the elevator block, and he reached past me to press the button before I got to it.

“Don’t you have work to do?” I snipped, and he laughed as the doors almost immediately opened before ushering me inside.

“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about, actually.”

I frowned, shooting him a suspicious look.

“What are you babbling about?”

“Well, in case you haven’t noticed, Ed and Viv still haven’t made either of us partner. I’m starting to wonder if they just like hanging it over our heads because they think it makes us work harder when we compete.”

I considered what he was saying and nodded.

“It’s entirely possible. I’ve wondered the same thing, too, but figured I was just being cunty about it.”

He rolled his eyes.

“You’re not being cunty, Cass. You deserve to make partner. Especially after what you did to expose that fucking snake.”

“Thanks, Nolan,” I said, finding that I genuinely meant it.

He smiled.

“So, that brings me to my next point. How much money do you have?”

I nearly choked on literally nothing as his question barreled through my brain.

“Nolan! You can’t just ask people how much money they have. What the fuck is wrong with you?”

He just laughed as the doors opened up to the main floor, and he hurried after me as I clipped across the marble floor toward the Uber I already had waiting outside.