“Considering I don’t know what you’re stepping toward yet, I don’t exactly know how to answer.But I’m happy with parts of my life.Other parts are…not great.I’m barely surviving, if that’s what you want to know.But I’m doing the best I can.”
Nash nodded, as if I'd confirmed something he already knew."What if I told you I had something that could change all of that?"
I laughed.“Okay, so you said I didn’t need to be a drug mule.Does it involve putting any sort ofpink flowerout somewhere to view?Because I’m not into that, either.”
Nash dipped his chin, then glanced toward Marco in the front.My cheeks flushed.Nash had picked up on my meaning, and he’d also beenplentyacquainted with my pink flower once upon a time.
“No gardening required, either,” Nash returned smoothly.“I just want to make sure you’re open to discussion.I know the circumstances are odd.But you’ll understand everything soon.”
Marco pulled up to the same black tower I’d visited last week as a caterer.Anxiety swirled through me, both from remembering what happened last time I’d been here and wondering what lay ahead.
Once Marco came to a stop, Nash stepped out of the car and then offered me a hand.“Are you ready?”
I looked into those ice-blue eyes that had changed my world over three years ago.Despite a quiet voice inside warning me this had to be too good to be true, I nodded and took his hand.
Whatever Nash had waiting for me inside his office had to be better than what was waiting for me in my regular reality.
At this point, I didn’t have many options other than to follow the handsome stranger with blue eyes that made me want to say yes before I’d even heard the offer.
CHAPTER FIVE
NASH
Clara and I stared at each other from opposite sides of the elevator as it soared up to my floor.The air between us sagged with the weight of the pending conversation.I didn’t want to utter another word about what was on my mind until we were locked in my office.
Nobody could hear the proposition I was about to make her.Nobody could know.The few words I’d said in front of Marco were bad enough.I trusted him, since he’d been with us for years, but I could have no leaks or lapses with this undertaking.
The ruse needed to be airtight from day one if we were going to have any hope of pulling it off.
“We’ll go straight to my office,” I offered when I couldn’t bear the expectant silence any longer.“We can talk freely there.”
She nodded, her gaze sliding to the numbers ticking upward on the digital screen above the door.I allowed myself the opportunity to soak her up once more.She wore a loose-fitting cream blouse that was both professional and feminine with a pair of tight blue jeans.She was way curvier than she had been four years ago, and the softness I glimpsed at her hips and beneath her blouse had my fingertips digging into my palms.Her honey blonde hair was swept back into a loose bun, and she’d accentuated her sharp features with just a hint of makeup.Though I could see exhaustion and stress tugging at her features, she looked good enough to eat.Just like the first time.
The doors slid open, revealing my spacious office foyer.Some of my employees mingled down the hall.No sooner had we stepped out of the elevator than Marina was at my elbow.
“Nash!There you are.My God, I’ve been calling you for like a half hour.”
“I haven’t looked at my phone,” I told her, guiding Clara to the hallway on our right.Marina kept pace with us as we walked toward my office.
“I can tell.Listen, there’s been some information about the Cross purchase—”
“Marina, let’s touch base after this appointment.”I gestured toward Clara.
“Oh, sorry.Is this on your schedule…?”Marina began scrolling through her phone, her brows knit together.
“No, it’s not.You didn’t miss anything.Clara, meet Marina, my assistant.”
Clara offered a hand, smiling brightly.“It’s so nice to meet you.You must keep everything running around here, huh?”
Marina chuckled, sliding her tablet under her arm so that she could shake Clara’s hands.“I like to think so, at least.”
“That’s an understatement,” I added, pulling open my office door.I gestured for Clara to enter.“We’d be lost without Marina.”Once Clara had stepped into the office, I turned to Marina.
She dipped her chin.“You moved fast.”
Marina wasn’t wrong; not much time had passed since Marina’s turning over the report about Clara.Luckily, I had a history of requesting background checks on my hookups, so we were already fooling people, and we hadn’t even formally started.“I’ll let you know when I’m done.No interruptions.”
“Yes, sir.”She winked slyly and flitted away.
