Of all the people I expected to see, Eve Lopez wasn’t one of them.
Natalie gave me a folder with the list of employees and their resumes so I could blend in, but I’ve been wrapping up my own projects lately.Plus, with everything going on with her and Ethan, I didn’t get around to the folder.I did see her name on the list, but I never connected the dots.
She hasn’t changed much—except in all the ways that make my life complicated.
With thick, dark hair flowing over her shoulders, playfully flirting with the edge of her hips, Eve has grown impossibly beautiful.In college, she wore simple clothing, her hair pulled back in a tight bun, her focus always on her studies.She never seemed to realize how the guys looked at her.Her olive skin and delicate features—along with those dark, mysterious eyes—had men drooling over her, but she never spared them a second glance, her cool disdainful look as she broke hearts earning her the title of the Ice Princess.
Of course I recognized her.
How could I not?
Her simple outfits have been replaced by designer clothing, hugging every curve like they were made for her—which they probably were.Her makeup is still minimal but enhances her already striking features.And that look in her eyes—I repress the urge to smile.She could freeze a man on the spot with just one flutter of those ridiculous lashes, then melt him with the hint of fire behind her glare.
I watch her turn the corner of the hallway, my eyes focused on the movement of her hips.Such a pity.All that sex appeal wrapped around a personality that could cut glass.I wonder if Eve even knows how sex works.The woman has “frigid” stamped on her forehead, though I’m starting to suspect it might be hiding something far more dangerous underneath.
When I first saw her across the room back in college, she fed into every Latina stereotype I had ever come across: beautiful, curvy, mouthy, and so incredibly sexy.It took one week for me to realize the woman had ice in her veins.She wasn’t interested in anything aside from her studies.She dominated group projects, her personality overwhelming others as a taskmaster who made sure everybody in her group worked.
She didn’t care if someone put thumbtacks in her bag.She didn’t care when her classmates talked shit about her.She walked past them with her head held high, arrogance and disdain oozing from her.We were all below her, and she made sure to let us know.
That’s probably why I got such satisfaction from knocking her down a few pegs when our grades would be released.Our college had a ranking system per department, and it drove Eve crazy to see I was always one point ahead.
Shaking my head, I follow her into the Branding and Strategy section.If I had known she would be working here, I would never have agreed to help Ethan out.
Just my luck.
Iris Campbell is standing by Eve’s desk as she sits down, the other members of the team watching us in blatant curiosity.“So what happened?Is everything alright?”
Eve shoots me a dirty look that could set water on fire.“Nothing.Just some problem with my overtime.”
Iris looks relieved.“Alright then.Do you want to come finish our conversation inside?”
Eve shakes her head.“No, it’s not important.Anyway, we have the numbers for Aerion 108.I think we can go ahead and let Frank’s team handle the rest.Steven can deal with the Digital and Content Division.He’s good at handling them.”
Steven nods.“We have two events coming up, and the Events and Client Engagement Division is going to be working on them.I think the first event is—” He leans back in his chair to check the calendar on his desk.“—in two months for the Aerion 108.The international launch.I’ve been coordinating with our team in Hamburg.We’ll be working on the planning, and they’ll handle everything else.We’ve sent out a hundred invites.The response was lukewarm at first, but with news of the Serastra 70 relaunch, we’ve had more people reaching out, looking for an invite.The numbers look good.”
“Excellent.”Iris nods.“We have a presentation in an hour.Eve, catch Caleb up with what we’re doing, and after lunch, show him around the building once.”
“I’m sure Steven would be more than happy to show him around.”The saccharine tone in her voice is so thick you could spread it on toast.
Steven seems to be the most stable one on the team given the calm vibes he gives off.He gestures towards his screen.“No can do.I’ve got a report to write up.You two kids have fun, though.Don’t let her take you to the rooftop, Caleb.She might push you off.”
Eve ignores him, tossing her hair over her shoulder in a move that’s probably choreographed to maximize annoyance.“I don’t have time to babysit.We have to finalize the presentation, then refocus on the Serastra.Caleb’s a big boy.I’m sure he won’t get lost looking for the washrooms.”
I put my hands on the back of her chair, gently tilting it back.“I would still like to know where they are.What if I have an emergency?”
Eve’s lips twist in a smile that has my blood pumping.“There are plenty of potted plants in the hallway.I’m sure you can use one of those.”
“Eve.”Iris’s tone is sharp.
The flash of irritation on Eve’s face is unmistakable.“Fine.After the presentation, then.”She shoots me a smile that is all teeth.“That is, of course, if you can hold it for that long.”
“You’re so considerate.”I reach out with my foot and push down the lever of her chair, making it go sliding down till her knees are folded, her head barely reaching the table.
Her startled cry has me stepping back innocently.“Oh, no.Are you okay?Should I fetch you another chair?”
“Eve?”Iris looks over with a frown.“What are you doing?”
“Nothing.”Eve grunts, grabbing the edge of the table and pulling herself up.Before anybody can intervene, I grab her by her upper arm, supporting her.
