Page 83 of For One Night

“Of course.” He backs toward the door. “If you need anything, Alice is here.”

“And you’re right over there.” I point at his office.

He clasps his hands. “It looks that way.”

“I’ll get started.”

His head drops. “I’ll leave you to it.”

And so he does.

Three days later, I’ve seen Lennox in passing. He doesn’t speak unless spoken to, and I’m over it. He can forget what we’ve done, but I can’t. “I know I told him to, but since when does anyone do what I tell them to do?”

Late Friday, I find something unexplained in their financials. I hesitate but decide to ask anyway.

“Hey, Alice.”

Her head pops up when I approach the desk. “Yes, Lola?”

“Is he busy?”

“No, go right in.” She smiles as my stomach knots.

I tap on the door lightly, pushing it open. “Mister Daly?”

“Yes, Miss Turner?” He sounds annoyed and doesn’t even look up from his computer.

“May I have a minute?” I stumble through the door.

He springs from his seat, hurrying over to me. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, just clumsy.” I push my hair over my shoulder. “Can we sit?”

He steps to the side. “Please, have a seat.”

“I promise it won’t take long.” I take the first chair, as he sits on the desk corner. Have I mentioned how damn sexy he is in a three-piece suit? I clear my throat.

“You’re fine. I needed a break from the screen.”

I shift in my seat, feeling a little uncomfortable. “I have to admit, at this point, I’m wondering why I’m here.”

“What do you mean?” He scoots back on his desk, his legs hang, pulling the material over them tight, showcasing every sinew of his muscular legs.

I rub circles on the inside of my palm. “So far, your files are immaculate. I can’t find any gross spending, no bad deals or anything.”

“Maybe I’m wrong, but isn’t that a good thing?” His brows quirks, making me grin.

“It is, except for two things.” I hold my fingers up. “Up until five years ago, the company was on the verge of extinction, and now that it’s turned around, you move the home base.”

He stands, clearly uneasy, walking to his Chess table. I fidget, not sure I should follow him or remain seated. “If I overstepped, I apologize. It’s only, I’m really trying to figure out why I’m here. O’Daly’s doesn’t need me from the looks of it. I mean, something could come up, but so far, I’m not finding anything.”

Lennox rubs the back of his neck, releasing a heavy sigh. “You’re here because of me.”

“Excuse me?” My pulse races with a torrent of thoughts as to why.

His face distorts as he runs his hand over his face. “I’m the reason you’re here.”

“Do you mind giving me more details because from where I’m sitting, it doesn’t look good.” I cross my arms, trying to protect myself from what’s to come.