Holy hell. How did I get myself into this situation?
I try to focus on the orientation checklist, but the words are a blur. My brain replays the hotel room, the way he’d looked at me, the way his hand had cupped the back of my neck, how he’d fallen asleep with me—and then how I left without saying anything at all.
I want to crawl under the desk and never emerge.
But I can’t, because now Adrian is standing in front of me.
“How’s the setup?” he asks, voice questioning, as if he can sense that I’m seconds from a full meltdown.
“Great,” I choke out. “I just met Mr. Prosser.” I make my voice as neutral as possible, hoping like hell he doesn’t know what’s going on.
He sighs. “He likes to make the rounds.” There’s a pause. “Don’t let him distract you. He’ll try, and while I understand that you’re his assistant, too, it’s best to keep your head down and get your work done.”
I nod. “Got it.”
He leans in, his dark eyes penetrating mine. “This job requires attention to detail. I have high expectations for you.”
“Yes, sir,” I say, and immediately want to take it back becausesirfeels wrong. But he just nods and moves on.
I spend the next hour filling out digital forms, sorting office supplies, and reading through the employee handbook. There’s a line aboutmaintaining professional boundaries with peers and supervisorsthat makes me want to crawl into a hole and never come out.
Does it count if it happened before I was hired?
Before I can think it through, my computer pings and I’m summoned to the partner conference room.
As soon as I step inside, I see Beck and Adrian, and another guy I haven’t met yet. This guy seems much less intimidating, though equally handsome. I take in his olive skin, black short wavy hair, and blue eyes that meet mine with softness.
Or maybe that’s sympathy?
“Caleb Lewis,” he says, offering his hand. “I’m the operations partner, and in charge of the day-to-day tasks.”
I nod and take his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Alright,” Adrian cuts in. “Now, take a seat so we can go through a few things.”
“Okay.” I pull out the chair across from the three of them, my heartbeat pounding in my temple like a bass drum in my ear. I take a seat, tugging my jacket around me.
“We have morning meetings at eight-thirty, every single day. You will be expected to be here. With our coffee orders. I suggest you get them on your way here.”
“That’s a little nitpicky,” Beck chimes, giving him a look. “Why can’t we just have them delivered?”
I swallow hard at the exchange of looks between Beck and Adrian.
“Anyway,” Adrian continues, turning back to me. “There’s a special software we use here at the company. Caleb will be the one who teaches you the basics.”
Caleb breaks into a grin. “It’s easy to navigate. I promise.”
I nod. “When will we cover this?”
“Tomorrow morning,” Adrian answers. “Right after the morning meeting.”
“Got it,” I say, my voice clipped. My eyes bounce from Caleb to Adrian to Beck—and I can’t help but stop there, staring at the man I haven’t been able to purge from my brain since that night.
He sits there, lounging in his chair, arms folded, not a care in the world.
When the meeting ends, I linger behind to gather the empty coffee cups, without Adrian having to even ask.
“I’m glad to have you here,” Caleb gives me a warm smile on his way out, while Adrian curtly nods at me.
