“Sure, we’ll do that, right?”
The driver nodded and shrugged. “You got it.”
He started the vehicle and began to drive away from the restaurant. She knew that it was wrong to lie, but she’d already done enough damage for the night. She couldn’t stop sneaking glances towards Elijah. The thought of kissing him set her on fire all over again. That sensation of wanting more was difficult to contain, but she did her best by keeping her distance and taking deep breaths. That was enough for one night.
Chapter Seven
Aubrey
Each set of footsteps in the office caused Aubrey to hunker down even further towards her desk. She was silent as she watched the rest of the staff amble in. It wasn’t until she saw Martina that she gave a slight wave and lifted her eyes towards the elevator. Martina was smiling, which made Aubrey want to lower herself even further. She wanted to disappear into the furniture completely.
Martina lowered her purse and raised her eyebrows. “What’s with this?”
“What’s with what?”
“You’re literally becoming one with your desk. It’s super weird,” Martina said, gesturing to all of Aubrey. “What’re you hiding from?”
Aubrey’s cheeks became flushed with the thought of the previous night. “It’s not what. It’s who.”
Martina lowered herself to eye level and let her purse drop to the floor. “Gossip? Do tell.”
“It’s nothing, really,” Aubrey said, grimacing at the thought of getting busy with her boss. “It was kind of a mistake.”
Martina was silent, her expression expectant.
“You have to promise not to tell anyone,” Aubrey whispered, leaning in closer. “It’s seriously messed up.”
“I promise. Now tell me. We don’t keep secrets from each other, remember?”
“I know, it’s just that it’s embarrassing.” Aubrey inhaled deeply, trying to ease her nerves. “I may have made out with our boss last night after dinner.”
Martina lifted herself from her knees. “You made out with Shannon? I thought she was married. To a man,” she said and laughed to herself. “I mean, no judgment. Just doesn’t seem like her.”
“No. Not Shannon,” Aubrey said and pointed her finger towards Elijah's empty office. “Him. I made out with him.”
“Oh my god.”
Aubrey brought her finger to her lips. “Shh. Please, not too loud.”
“He’s gorgeous. Why are you upset about that? Besides, he’s not really our boss. More like, I don’t know, partner.”
She remembered Martina didn’t know. She had no idea that Elijah owned Glamour Girls. “I mean, it just might ruin things. I’d hate for us to lose our contract with them over something like this.”
Martina leaned her hip against the desk. “You don’t need to worry. I think it’ll be fine.”
The elevator dinged, and Aubrey shot a look towards the door. She didn’t even know what to say to him. Was it planned? Had she been too drunk? Should she apologize? She could feel her heart pounding in her chest like a hammer. If she acted as though nothing happened, there was a chance he’d get upset. On the other hand, if she made a big deal out of it, he might consider that childish.
Aubrey was desperately hoping it wasn’t him, and when an unknown woman walked out, she was taken aback. The woman had long blond hair styled in perfect beachy waves and wore a tight red dress and heels that were obviously designer. Her tan skin seemed to glow, even in the light of the office. Whoever she was, she walked into the building as though she owned the place.
Aubrey caught Martina’s eyes. They both had the same surprised expression.
“Who is that?”
Aubrey shrugged her shoulders and watched as the young woman took a seat in Elijah’s computer chair and spun towards the immense windows. “I have no idea. Maybe she’s a model for a new campaign? I mean, I thought Elijah was one when I first saw him in the lobby.”
“You’re joking.”
“I wish.”
Martina laughed lightly as one of the office workers neared the end of the desk. He had square black glasses and perfectly coiffed hair. Martina smiled and half-hugged him the moment he made it to them.
“Aubrey,” Martina started, pointing to the office worker. “This is Spencer. He’s in charge of keeping track of new clients.”
“Hi, Spencer. I’m Aubrey.”
Spencer waved casually and then brought his eyes back to the model in Elijah’s office. “I can’t believe she’s here.”
Martina gave Aubrey a sly smile. “Spencer, who is that?”
“Oh my god. So, okay, you know how Elijah was engaged once?” he asked them, and then shook his head when they remained silent. “Nevermind. Clearly, you don’t keep up with his socials. Anyway, she’s his ex-fiancee. I haven’t seen her here since they broke up about six months ago. She’s absolutely gorg, though, isn’t she?”
Aubrey wanted to cast herself into a fire. Yes, she was gorgeous. Far more beautiful than Aubrey would look, even with her makeup professionally done. Just as she was about to ask for more information, the elevator dinged.
Elijah stepped out dressed in black. Black dress shirt, black dress pants, but with dark brown leather shoes. It seemed appropriate attire for seeing your ex at work. Aubrey, Martina, and Spencer watched as though they were zoologists observing animals in the wild. They were silent, and Aubrey kept her eyes on Elijah, who didn’t even look her way as he passed. There was nothing about his expression that gave him away. He seemed unconcerned to see her in his office.
His ex-fiancee rose from her chair and leaped towards him, as though she’d been waiting years for that moment. He wrapped his arms around her and held her there. Aubrey heard Spencer gasp as the ex-fiancee turned towards them and smiled.
Spencer held his hand to his mouth and hid his words from the model’s gaze. “Guess they’re back together.”
Aubrey wanted to throw herself out the window as soon as those words left his lips. It was what everyone was thinking. She couldn't help but picture the two of them getting married. They made a gorgeous couple. Beyond that, they already had a history, and she was just a girl that worked for him. She might as well have been the jealous secretary.
Chapter Eight
Elijah
Showing Lisa that he was surprised to see her would only spark outrage, which his family would know about immediately. Elijah smiled as he let go of her embrace and pointed to the chair next to them. “Want to take a seat?”
Lisa pouted, something she’d done so many times throughout their relationship that it’d long lost its effect on him. He only saw it as childish now. “Your dad didn't tell you I was coming, did he?”
“No, I’m sorry. I’ll text him later, though.”
She crossed her arms. “I told him to let you know, though. I guess he must’ve forgotten since he’s busy speaking with my father right now.”
Damn it. It was just as he thought. They must be planning another merger, which meant that Lisa would be around far more than what he wanted. She always showed up when he didn’t want her around. It was like she knew that he was interested in someone. Elijah kept his expression neutral, knowing that even the smallest fragment of disappointment would cause Lisa to break down.