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Instantly, tears sting my eyes. Jonathan replaced what I lost. Because he feels guilty that Dan all but attacked me? Because he feels sorry for me? Or because he cares about me?
I tell myself to stop the wild speculation. He’s being nice. End of story. Move on. Get to work. Don’t obsess. Thank him, then do your job.
But when I peek my head in his office, he’s not there. Half a sandwich sits in a plastic container uneaten, along with what I’m sure is a cold cup of coffee.
Stifling my disappointment, I take my seat and resolve to dive into work and stay busy. I send Jonathan a quick but heartfelt email of thanks, then try to focus on some companywide correspondence due out any day about April’s month end. Still, I find myself glancing up at that picture frame he so thoughtfully bought me and smiling.
Ten minutes later, he returns with a fresh cup of coffee from the bakery across the street in one hand and a cold bottle of my favorite soda in the other. He smiles as he sees me and sets the fizzy drink at my elbow. “That’s for you. You’re back early. Feeling better?”
“Thank you. Yes. A little girl time with Kami was exactly what I needed.”
“Good. I’ve made sure Dan’s HR file notes today’s incident, and I’ve spoken to Jake so he’s aware of the situation. I’m sure he’ll counsel Dan, too. So hopefully, that’s the end of that. Can I get you anything else? Is there something you need?”
“No. I-I’m fine. Really. Thank you.” The new metallic picture frame catches the overhead light and sparkles. “And thank you for the new frame. That was really thoughtful. You didn’t have to—”
“I wanted to. Do you like it?”
“Yes.” The more I look at it, the more it seems so…me. It’s shiny and a little whimsical, but still practical. “It’s perfect.”
If I’m being honest, I like it better than the frame my sister picked out for me. Alyson has known me all my life. How is it possible that in a few short weeks and an hour between the sheets, Jonathan understands me at least as well as my older sister?
“Good. If you need anything else—anything at all—my door is open. I’m here for you.” He smiles, and he looks really reluctant to leave me as he heads for his office.
My heart catches. What is he doing? Is he breaking the cardinal rule, too. Is he catching feelings?
Don’t be silly. He’s not flirting with you; he’s just checking on you. Geez…
But his concern seems so personal. Should I talk to him about it? Then again, why would I? It’s not like I want him to stop. Even if I did say something, he’d probably deny it, call me crazy, or worse—end our whole agreement. Besides, this is Jonathan. He’s a manwhore through and through. I can’t forget that.
Normally, if a guy was putting in this much effort with me, I’d assume he was interested. But Jonathan is only ever focused on a woman long enough to get her naked and get off. The soda and the frame? They aren’t romantic gestures. He’s just making sure I’m happy in my job.
I need to stop reading more into every little thing he does, and I have to keep my promise. My feelings for him will pass.They have to.They’re not real.They can’t be.
He checks on me another ten times over the final three hours of the day. By the end, I feel hot, flustered, and confused as hell.
When it’s finally quitting time, I let out a sigh of relief and dash away from the office with a quick wave. After a too-slow ride down the elevator, I finally let out a breath and tell myself to stop with all the fluttery, starry-eyed nonsense. Honestly, I’m hoping the farther I get from him, the better I’ll feel.
Once the elevator doors slide open, I hustle across the office lobby and into the five-o’clock air. The wind feels warm, yet the sky is overcast.
I sigh. “Exactly what I’m feeling—clouded.”
Inside the parking structure, I spot two figures next to a black SUV. Instantly, I recognize Mia Knight and Jake Hall. Their conversation is indistinctive, but their gestures make it look heated.
Discreetly, I continue to walk by…but I can’t help trying to eavesdrop. Whatever they’re talking so animatedly about probably has something to do with Jonathan’s unusual behavior in this morning’s meeting. Maybe they know something I don’t.
Finally, I’m close enough to hear them. I tuck myself behind the SUV and shamelessly listen.
“Tell me the truth,” Mia demands. “What the hell is going on with my brother? First, I hear through the grapevine that, last week, Maya Thompson met Jonathan’s ‘girlfriend,’ who just happens to have the same name as his assistant. Then over the weekend, I call him to get his opinion about a project I’m starting, but he asks me—of all people—for advice because he’s dating a woman he refuses to name. Then today, he stares at Ms. Young so long it’s uncomfortable, before he nearly loses it in front of every one of KH Industries’ employees. You going to tell me that’s all a coincidence?”
I bite back a gasp. They’re talking aboutme. OMG, did everyone notice him staring? Did he really ask his sister for advice on how to date me?
“I’m sure there’s nothing going on, baby girl.” Jake tries to smooth things over.
“Don’t ‘baby girl’ me. Something is up with my brother. You’re the closest person to him. He tells you way more than he tells me or Nathan. So spill. What do you know?”
“Nothing more than you. We’re friends, but I can’t read his mind. He could have been upset about…puppet sex for all I know. But I doubt whatever it is has anything to do with Kiera.”
“Don’t joke about this,” she snaps. “You know what people are starting to say.”
