“The passive aggressiveness, the long ‘Do what I say or else’ stare, and the arched brow?—”
As if on cue, he arched his brow.
“Those don’t work for the next few weeks, because you need me more than I need you.”
“Are you done yet?”
“I have three more things to say.”
“I’ll listen to one.”
“Then I’ll go in reverse.” I stepped closer to him. “Three, I’ve told you that none of my family members will believe this charade if you don’t start being nice to me. Last time I checked, you haven’t even tried.”
He started to walk past me, but I blocked him, planting my body in front of the doors.
“Two, when we agree to something, you need to hold up your end of the deal just like you expect me to do. And one?—”
“You’re way past one.”
“We’re equals now.” I glared at him. “You’re not my superior, and I’m not taking any orders while we’re together.”
“This wasn’t part of our deal, Miss Dawson,” he said, closing the gap between us. “Now you’re just making shit up.”
“It’s just a minor revision,” I said as he clenched his jaw. “Isn’t that how it works?”
“We need to take a picture in front of the holiday tree at headquarters for the photographer.”
“For what?”
“Because according to Mr. Reaves, it doesn’t make sense for a guy who cares so much about the holidays not to have a picture in front of his favorite thing with his new fiancée.”
“I came here to pick you up.”
“That’s okay.” I moved away from him. “I’d rather enjoy my last hours of freedom away from you.”
“I’m not making a goddamn request.”
“You have to be.” I grabbed my coat and tossed Diana my keys. “You’re not currently my boss for the next few weeks, remember?”
I rushed outside and into Francis’s town car.
“To headquarters,” I said. “Please put a rush on it.”
“Right away, Miss Dawson.”
He sped off without asking a question.
My stomach droppedwhen Francis pulled in front of headquarters.
Through the glass doors, I could see a bunch of my coworkers taking their own pictures, and I didn’t want them to see me and Nicholas taking one together.
Before I could tell him to speed off and take me home, my back door opened and Nicholas reached for my hand.
I didn’t take it.
I grabbed my purse and rushed ahead of him.
“There she is…”
