Page 199 of I Never Stopped Loving You

“Your nervous energy. You can’t sit still. And you’re dressed to conquer the world,” I say as I fight the urge to brush those few loose strands out of her face.

“Do you have an interview?” she counters, and I can’t hold back my smile any longer.

“Something like that,” I tease before I walk past her to the firm's door and hold it open.

She takes a few more steps before hesitantly looking up at the large silver plaque. She bites her lower lip before looking back over at me.

“Oh, are you coming in here too?” I ask gesturing into the open door.

She looks back and forth between me and the plaque then past me into the open lobby.

“Well?” I ask as I sweep my hand toward the lobby.

“I suppose so. Thank you.” Her tone is professional, but I can hear the sass behind each syllable.

“My pleasure, Miss…”

I want her to say it…Say Willow Parker.

“Willow.”

“Is that a first or last name?” I ask, practically begging her for her full name.

She turns away before looking at the secretary.

“Willow Bennett. Checking in for my interview at noon,” she says quickly, brushing me off.

Veronica looks at her with a welcoming smile before she sees me. Her demeanor quickly changes, and she stands looking over at me with wide eyes.

“Sorry, Mr. Anderson. I didn’t hear you come in,” she quickly rushes out before handing me the stack of messages she took for me this morning.

“That’s all right, Veronica. How are things going today?”

“Oh, good, Sir. Your father is already here in the third conference room. He’s waiting for…well, for you, Miss Bennett. If you would follow me…”

“That’s all right, Veronica. I’ll take Miss Bennett from here,” I quickly cut her off as I stare down at my little rabbit.

I know it’s her. I’ve searched for her for fifteen fucking years. I’d know those eyes anywhere.

“Yes, Sir.”

“Mr....Anderson?” Willow asks as she turns to face me.

“Yep. Nice to finally meet you, Miss Bennett.”

“Noah…. Damnit, Noah. Wake up.”

I can feel the side of my face being smacked, forcing my brain to keep functioning. I was there in that elevator on the first day she came back into my life. Fuck. I knew that it was her from the second I saw those eyes .

“Jer…”

“Shut the fuck up. Don’t talk. I can hear him somewhere. I need to get you out of here. Fuck, man. What happened?” he asks in a hushed tone as he moves behind me, grips under my arms, and starts moving us as quietly as possible. He’s dragging me toward the door to the stairs.

“Willow,” my voice croaks.

“I’ll get her. But I need to get you out of here first.”

“No.”