Page 17 of Saved By the CEO

The top floor is mostly empty when I arrive, which is a huge relief. I make it all the way to my desk without anyone stopping me, asking questions, or giving me that soft, pitying look people give you when they know something embarrassing happened but are pretending not to know.

Small miracles do happen.

I sit down at my desk and start going through emails. After about an hour, the elevator dings and people start trickling in. I pop in my earbuds and pretend to be very busy. Or, well, I don’t have to pretend really. I actually have a lot to do.

A few people glance my way, but no one says a word. It’s strange. I was expecting whispers, sympathetic smiles, and someone casually asking if I was “feeling better” while clearly digging for details. But nothing happens.

Then Martha from HR walks past my desk, stops, and offers me a quick smile.

“Good to see you back, Carly.”

“Thanks,” I say, bracing myself.

But she doesn’t ask anything else. She just continues walking.

Huh.

Mr. Bennett strolls in around nine. He’s in a tailored suit, freshly shaved, and just all-around perfect. My stomach does a little flip, and I have to remind myself of what Annie said yesterday: the feelings aren’t real. He’s just good-looking, that’s all.

“Good morning,” he says curtly as he passes my desk on his way to his office. He doesn’t wait for a response before closing the door behind him.

That was… very normal.

As if yesterday never happened. As if he didn’t carry me to an ambulance. As if he didn’t sit next to me in a hospital room and slide his hand into my panties under clinical fluorescent lighting.

All right. Cool.

After that, I don’t see him for the rest of the morning. He usually calls me in once or twice before noon, but not today. I’m relieved, but also a little concerned. What if he finds this situation so awkward that he fires me for it?

Speaking of firing, is he still angry about the press briefing?

I chew on a nail as I take a quick peek at the clock. It’s almost lunchtime. Should I try to talk to him? Clear the air?

I glance at the closed door.

Nah.

The cafeteria is bustling when I get there. I tell myself I’m just going to buy a sandwich real quick, then I’ll go back to my desk. Quick in, quick out. I don’t have to talk to anyone. But just as I’m about to leave, a movement in the corner of my eye catches my attention. It’s Josh. He’s sitting by himself, waving at me. I wave back. He gestures for me to come sit.

I hesitate at first, but then the ghost of Annie whispers in my ear.

“Just date someone else.”

I make my way toward his table.

“Nice to see you up and walking again,” he says as I sit. “How are you?”

“I’m great! Wouldn’t be here otherwise.”

Lies! All lies!I could be halfway to the morgue, and I’d still be expected to manage Mr. Bennett’s schedule.

“I’m glad to hear that.” A small wrinkle forms between his eyebrows. “So, what happened yesterday? It was quite dramatic.”

I cringe internally.That goddamn ambulance.

“It was nothing. Everyone overreacted. I had low blood sugar and fainted. That’s all.”

Josh looks relieved. “Oh, that’s great. We were all so worried. It looked really bad, you know—with the boss carrying you and the ambulance coming. It was like something out of a movie.”