That I can barely comprehend.
“Where’s the research summary of that geographical area?” He doesn’t even look up from his notes as he closes with the question.
There’s a hush in the room, because I think everyone is just as lost as I am.
Marissa raises her hand, all innocent as she bats her damn eyelashes up at him. “I saw it on Madison’s desk yesterday.”
I freeze.What the hell is she talking about?I never got any kind of development summary. I double-check my files on my tablet, but it’s not there.
Adrian’s gaze flicks to me. “Madison?”
My mouth goes dry. “I—I didn’t receive the research. I can try to chase it down from the contractor, but?—”
His face tenses, and the disappointment makes my insides curl, “Next time, be proactive, please.”
I swallow it down, my eyes suddenly feeling watery. “Yes, Mr. Frank.” I drop my gaze to the pen and write it down, trying to ignore the fact that everyone is staring at me.
When I finally do look up, Beck gives me a soft smile, like he wants to smooth it over. I can’t bring myself to look at him, not with the memory of the hot tub night still sizzling in my brain. The way he held me, the things he said.
But that was before Adrian bent me over his desk.And I still haven’t finished processing that one.
“You really need to get ahead of the meeting agendas. I uploaded it last night.” Adrian’s voice is cruel, like a knife in my chest. I double-check the Dropbox he shares with me on my tablet, and sure enough…
He uploaded something at almost one in the morning and didn’t even notify me.
He set me up to fail this morning.After he fucked me. That’s fucked up.
“I’ll make sure not to let that happen again,” I mutter, finally meeting Adrian’s hard stare.
Next to him, Caleb is sitting with his jaw set, but I see him clench his mug tightly, like he wants to step in but can’t. In a flash, I’m back in the bathroom, feeling how he pressed me to the wall, the heat of his body, the hunger in his eyes as he made me come with just his hand, his voice soothing in my ear.
Damnit. Why are you not helping me?
I shake the thought loose and then just focus on the meeting, writing notes with numb fingers.
When it’s finally over, I duck out before Marissa can catch up to me, but she slides right onto the edge of my desk anyway.
“Rough meeting?” she coos, puckering her lower lip. She shifts her weight just as I reach for my latte, causing it to splash on my hand.
I hiss, snatching a tissue.
Marissa clucks her tongue. “Sorry! You know, these new desks are so wobbly. Maybe you should put a maintenance request in.” She slides off my desk, disappearing to torture someone else.
I grit my teeth and reach for my phone, immediately texting Riley, who, at this point, is myonlyhelp.
Me:Marissa hates me. And it’s worse than ever.
Me:I need to tell you what happened at work last night.
She worked late last night, and I didn’t get a chance to tell her yet.
I wait for a reply, my knee bouncing under my desk. But she doesn’t respond. I keep rapid-firing, feeling super desperate now.
Me:Caleb still just looks at me like I’m this little helpless puppy.
Me:Beck brought me a donut and coffee and made a scene in front of everyone. It’s so obvious. And I need to tell you what happened yesterday. PLEASE TEXT ME BACK.
“Hey,” a voice cuts through my panic, and I drop my phone to my desk, jerking sideways.
