“Do I need to meet Rory?” I ask, my narrowing throat making my voice rasp. It’s already sore from all the wailing I did yesterday. Rory’s is another name that haunts me from my night with Duke. He’s the Moncrief that Duke had been called away to speak with while I was waiting for Cameron to show up.
“Rory’s leading the Brimstage project,” Oliver explains.
My eyes sting despite myself. If I hadn’t spotted Duke yesterday, I’d be giddy with excitement right now. All the threads I’d hoped would lead me to him are knitting together perfectly, only now it feels like a net to ensnare me.
I really, really need to speak to Noah.
When we reach the DeVere office, my stomach sinks. It’s empty. My new boss is still in his meeting with Rory.
The office itself is a pleasant surprise. I’d expected a cubby hole for Noah’s staff to check emails and make calls, but this place is a fully equipped office. There’s no doubting we’re attached to a fancy hotel because the furniture is solid mahogany rather than laminate, and there are gold drapes hanging from the windows.
“That’s my desk,” Oliver says, pointing to a corner with a workstation and drafting table. “I do like to spread out, but since we’ll be working together, you could take the free desk next to mine.” He winks when he adds, “But I won’t be offended if you want somewhere quieter.”
“The one by you would be perfect,” I tell him honestly. I need all the friends I can get, and Oliver’s indomitable positivity is the only thing keeping me from spiraling right now.
“Now for one of the perks of working for the Moncriefs,” he says, grinning widely. “Let me introduce you to the world’s best coffee machine.”
I actually groan. “I need a coffee. Desperately.”
I’m slipping off my coat when a new face appears at the door. He’s around my age and wears a pin on his suit jacket lapel with the Scots Pine logo.
“You must be the new starter,” he says, extending a hand.
“This is Edison,” Oliver says above the gurgle of the coffee machine. “He’s–”
“I’m one of the personal assistants from the executives’ floor,” Edison interrupts. “The best one, obviously.”
Oliver picks up the first coffee. “Debatable. Gordon’s PA always brings cookies when she sneaks down here to gossip.”
Edison keeps his gaze on me. “He’s just upset I don’t fall for his charm so easily as some.” He leans closer. “And I suggest you don’t either. This one’s a heartbreaker.”
“You’re just upset I didn’t take you as my date for the Heatrush grand opening.”
Edison scoffs. “In your dreams, Chambers.”
“I suppose you’ll want a coffee too,” Oliver says, about to hand me the first.
Edison blocks him before I can take it. “Sorry, I can’t stay, and neither can Grace. She’s needed upstairs.”
“Does Noah want me to come too?” asks Oliver.
“Just Grace.”
My stomach hollows. I’m being called to meet Rory. I tell myself not to panic. It’s going to be fine. There’s no way he could link me to Duke, and Duke may no longer work in security now he has a fancy fiancée who wears huge diamonds and gets chauffeured around in a limo. I could have searched online forDuke and Katarinalast night to find out more about both of them, but typing out those two names together was beyond me.
On the short elevator ride, I straighten the bow on my white satin blouse and fix the waistband on my calf-length pencil skirt. The sheath dress I’d picked out is languishing on my closet floor. Its promise of seduction died along with my dreams.
“How long have you worked for Rory?” I ask Edison as he leads me down a corridor.
“Hmm?” he says, as if he didn’t quite hear. “Oh, I’ve been here a couple of years.”
At the end of the corridor, we reach an expansive open space and there’s no doubt we’ve entered the executives’ domain. There are works of art on the walls, potted palms and leather couches in break out areas. Directly opposite are a series of opulent mahogany desks, each guarding a set of solid wood doors with brass plates marking each of the executives’ offices.
Edison nods to a few people, but he doesn’t slow for introductions. Nor does he slow when we pass theoffice with Rory Moncrief’s name on the door. I do a double take at the PA stationed outside, but Edison marches on.
“But I thought…”
Edison stops next to a desk outside the last set of doors. This one doesn’t have a name plate, just a series of screw holes where one should be.
