Page 76 of The Rebel Billionaire

It’s my turn to frown. “I sent those to you at five thirty,” I say. “I was expecting you to do them in the morning.”

She smiles, and something in my chest clenches.

“But Dominic Western rang. He wants to pull tomorrow morning’s meeting forward by an hour. He also asked if I’d add some additional points and print out the reports ready. Your schedule said you were free…” Her voice tapers off, getting quieter, until it’s barely a whisper. “I didn’t think it would be a problem, but if it is… I just wanted to get the reports done, so they were ready.”

I stare at her before snapping myself out of it.

“It’s not a problem. It was a good call.”

The tension drains from her shoulders. Shit, I’ve got her second-guessing every move. I can’t tell her I’m more annoyed at Dominic for assuming it was okay to use my PA to make last-minute changes to the report when he has his own, perfectly capable one. The problem is, I know Dominic’s PA likes to leave on the dot at five thirty, so she wouldn’t have been around after he reviewed the latest report this evening.

“I’ve nearly finished,” she says, injecting some cheer into her voice. “I just wasn’t expecting you.”

Clearly, if the singing is anything to go on.

“I have a few things I need to finish before heading home,” I lie, not wanting to leave her alone in the office.

“Can I make you a coffee?” she asks as I move towards the door.

“That would be great,” I say over my shoulder.

I head to my office, reconnect my laptop to the monitor and open my emails. They have all been grouped and filed, including the email from Dom requesting that tomorrow’s meeting be moved. He and I will discuss it after the meeting. Brooke may be the newest member of the team, but no one takes liberties without checking with me first.

I scan the items he’s asked to be included in the report. They include things we’ve already shelved but that he continues to push for. I crack my neck. This is getting tiresome. He’s been here since my grandfather’s day, although he was a young man then. He toed the line with my mother, but since I took over, he’s tried to leverage his seniority.

I look up as Brooke enters carrying my coffee and a bottle of water. She places both on the desk beside me.

“Have you eaten?” I ask suddenly.

“Er, no. I’m going to grab something when I get home,” she says, her surprise clear.

“How much longer are you going to be with the presentation and reports?” I ask.

It was no small task Dom had set her.

“About another hour, if I print them off tonight.”

“Chinese?” I say.

Her eyes skim over my face, as if checking to see if it’s a trick question.

“Brooke, would you like Chinese if I order some?” I ask again. “I’m starving and won’t be bothered to cook when I get home.”

“If you’re going to order anyway, then yes, I’d love some,” she admits, making me want to high-five the air.

“Any preferences?”

“Black bean beef with noodles,” she says.

“Anything else?”

She laughs, the sound shooting straight through me. “With the portion sizes here, I doubt I’ll even be able to finish that.”

It’s my turn to chuckle. I remember when I first arrived in the US after Mother and Father had moved here. I’d been surprised by the portion sizes, although, as a growing lad, I’d loved the extra food.

“You finish up, and I’ll order us a takeout.”

She starts to leave, then turns back. “Thank you. You’re right. I doubt I’ll feel like cooking when I get home.”