I held out my hand. Bonnie was looking at me like I’d been dredged off the bottom of the Thames.
“It’s good to see you again, Andrea,” said Liam, hishandsome face softening. He was both hard to look at and hard to tear my eyes away from. “In slightly less awkward circumstances this time, I hope.”
His mouth curved into that slight smile. The same mouth that had been all over me only yesterday. On my neck. My breasts.
Did they all know?
Stopit.
My heart was pounding. Was he really standing here acting like we were polite acquaintances? Like he hadn’t beeninsideme?
I wished they’d all just leave. This was not a conversation I wanted to have right now in front of my boss, my friends, and this starched-looking woman in the expensive gray suit. Her expression implied she had a very bad taste in her mouth.
“Andrea doesn’t waste time, does she?” Gerald chuckled. “Straight in on the new boss before he’s even found the coffee machine. Lucky he’s not the litigious type.”
Bonnie smirked. I looked at Liam helplessly. I could feel everyone’s eyes on me. I had no idea what to say—I didn’t have the presence of mind to laugh it off like a good sport.
“You gave our new CEO quite the hands-on welcome,” Gerald said with a wink. Bonnie gave a brittle laugh, her eyes flat. “I thought she was going to pin him against the wall. Unusual strategy for career advancement, but points for initiative.”
Time stopped. If I’d been closer to the edge of the rooftop bar, I would have thrown myself right over it.
“Talk about making an impression. In more ways than one.” Gerald raised a brow pointedly, then looked around at the group with a grin. The edges of my vision started to blur, and a lump rose in my throat.
He laughed heartily. “Nobody was looking at the PowerPoint, I can tell you that—”
“Gerald,” Liam said, his voice like glass. There was a long pause as he adjusted his cuffs, never breaking eye contact. “Any chance you’ve got any of thosecheese sconesaround?” His expression was blank. Seemed like an odd request, especially since he delivered it like he was asking Gerald if he’d just shat in the punchbowl.
Monish froze, his glass halfway to his mouth. James’s eyes shot up to mine, but his head didn’t move. Kelly was looking at Liam, paralyzed, her mouth full of espresso martini. She gulped it down without blinking.
Liam was watching Gerald with a predatory stillness. “You remember the scones, Gerald? From this morning, at the office? Maybe afrittata square.” Gerald’s grin evaporated, and he appeared to visibly shrink. “Withchives.” Liam’s tone was ice-cold.What the hell did cheese scones have to do withanything?
A ruddy flush crept up Gerald’s neck, and his eyes flickered. Hand trembling slightly, he placed his champagne flute on the table and swallowed hard. I glanced down at James.What just happened?It felt like the energy around the table had changed in an instant. Nobody moved.
“Oh, of course.” I’d never seen Gerald look like that in all the time I’d worked at Novexia. His voice was tiny, hesitant. “The… scones. Yes. I’ll just—” He turned abruptly and walked away from the table. We sat there awkwardly, watching him go.
“Well, lovely to meet you all.” Bonnie smiled, but her eyes were cold. “We really must—” She gestured toward the retreating figure of Gerald with her head.
“Yes, a pleasure.” Liam smiled. “I look forward to catchingup with you again soon.” His eyes floated to mine and stayed there for a moment, but I couldn’t read his expression.
Bonnie put a hand on Liam’s back, and they turned and walked toward the throng of waiting arse-kissers.
“Enjoy.” James smiled and tossed a limp-fingered wave at their retreating backs. We stared after the trio until they were out of earshot.
“What the fuck was that?” Kelly gripped the edge of the table.
“No idea.” James’s eyes were wide. “I feel like I just witnessed an assassination.”
“I almost felt sorry for Gerald.” Kelly put both hands on the sides of her face. “Especially after he called usrock stars. Jesus Christ.”
“Von Roth really wanted those brunch items, didn’t he?” suggested Monish. “Do you think they were special?”
“Maybe he’s gluten-intolerant?” said Kelly.
“I have absolutely no clue,” I said.
But that was… weird. It was almost as if Liam gave Gerald a dressing down or something.The speed at which Gerald ran from ourtable.
“Well, heisa corporate psychopath,” said James. “Perhaps his meds wore off.”
