“So cancel.”
“Elliot! You know I can’t do that. You’ll just have to be patient until tonight.”
“You are a cruel, cruel woman, Mrs. Reed.”
I tap the center of his chest with a gentle finger. “If you come by tomorrow, maybe I can arrange something.”
He gives me an exaggeratedly lusty look that makes me giggle. I start to say something, but then realize that murmurs are welling up around us.
My coworkers are swiveling their heads and looking toward the hall leading to the elevator bank. I let my gaze wander in the same direction, wondering if someone super famous is leaving.
I gasp. It’s Dennis, with a security guard on each side of him. Holding a box, my ex drags himself forward. His face is bloodless, his lips pressed so tight they have no color. Strong emotion shines in his unblinking eyes.
“Oh my god,” I whisper.
Elliot moves closer and puts a hand around my waist. I lean into him, but I can’t stop staring at Dennis. What happened? He’s too careful to screw things up badly enough to be fired.
He stops, then suddenly turns around and gazes at the cubicles and offices. Some people look away, but not everyone. His eyes meet mine, and hatred blazes in them. A corner of his mouth twitches, then he actually snarls.
His inarticulate fury lances me all the way to the core. Shaking, I take a step back. Elliot’s arm tightens around me.
The guards pull Dennis into a waiting elevator. He doesn’t exactly resist, but he keeps his burning eyes on me the entire time. Finally, the doors close.
The whole event took no more than a minute, but it felt like forever. My legs trembling, I plop down rather ungracefully into my seat.
Elliot crouches in front of me. “You all right? You look a little pale.”
I blink and drag in a breath. “Yeah. I’m fine. Just…surprised.”
“Why?”
“He’s just an intern. What did he do so wrong that he’s being humiliated like that?”
Elliot snorts. “My take? He’s overly ambitious and too impatient. It takes years of hard work to make something of yourself, but he wasn’t willing to wait.”
“How do you know?”
“He lied.” My husband’s voice is flat.
I flinch at the lack of mercy and understanding in his tone. “He just wanted a fresh start,” I murmur, recalling what Dennis told me.
“Lying isn’t a fresh start. It’s a shortcut.” He takes my hands in his. “You’re cold.” Concern darkens his eyes. “Want me to get you some coffee? Tea?”
“No. You should get going.” I put a hand on one strong shoulder. “Thanks for coming to see me.”
He kisses me on the forehead, then searches my face. “Call if you don’t feel well, okay?”
A smile curls my lips. I can’t stay upset when Elliot is looking at me so tenderly. “Yes, Daddy,” I whisper, more for my benefit than his. I feel like I’m falling so deep that I may never come out.
His gaze narrows. “Stop provoking me…unless, of course, you want me to toss you over my shoulder and cart you out in front of everyone.”
I laugh, and he kisses me and walks away. The second he disappears into the elevator, the electric charge in the air vanishes. I turn to my work, resolving to focus. I need to give it a hundred and ten percent if I want to get done by lunch.
At noon sharp, Jana comes over. Her expression is neutral, but I can sense something’s bothering her.
“Jana, is there something I can help you with?”
“Our lunch. I hope you didn’t forget.”