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James is right by my side. I don’t need to see him to know he’s there. His dominant energy is an unavoidable force.

The receptionist, in a deep blue blazer, twists her head to look at him as we approach. The man who’s been talking to her blanches and disappears without a word.

“Mr. Hawthorne.” Her green eyes are set on him, her expression professional. She doesn’t have a crush on my man. But she is stunning. Jealousy heats my neck. “Good morning. How are you today?”

“Good. Elodie.” The way he says her name isn’t warm or inviting. It isn’t cold like he says mine sometimes. His tone is flat, and I like it. I like it a lot. “This is Ophelia—” He pauses, and my pulse skyrockets at the implication. How he almost called me Ophelia Hawthorne. Soon, I’ll be his wife. “Monroe. Miss Monroe will be working closely with me starting today.”

“I’m Elodie. Welcome to Hawthorne Morgan, Miss Monroe.” Her smile is brilliant, her teeth as perfect as everything about her. She doesn’t ask in what capacity I’ll be working here, doesn’t look at me funny. No. She offers me her hand, and I shake it. “You’ve come to the right place. I wish you the best of luck here.”

“Thank you.” My hand is at my side again. “Great meeting you too. I’m excited.”

“Should I show her to HR and start her processing?” Elodie is polite, her gaze switching between us. We’re going to get along,she and I. “I can call Winslet to cover for me for a little while. She has some free time.”

Oliver’s assistant. James made me memorize everyone’s names. Everyone who matters.

“Free time?” His eyebrows lower. We discussed faking concern when we arrived. I had no idea he’d sell it so well. “Oliver hasn’t arrived yet? Is he due in court today?”

“I don’t believe he is.” Elodie looks at me pointedly before turning to James. He nods. She can talk about office matters around me. “Winslet said he stayed here after she left the night before. We aren’t sure where he went after that. His calendar is empty.”

A victorious smile threatens to tear my face. I press my lips, mimicking James’s frown.

“Since then, nothing,” she continues. “His phone has been turned off. Camden hasn’t seen him at their home, either. He said his father might have some, um…private affairs. He’ll try his phone or drop by his place again later.”

“I’ll try him too once I get to the office.” James beckons me to walk ahead of him. I take a step forward. Stop. Wait for him to finish his conversation. “If you hear from him, please let me know. And don’t worry about HR. I’ll show Miss Monroe the office and to the HR processing.”

“Of course, Mr. Hawthorne.” Her voice is already fading as James and I head over toward his corner office.

Heads turn our way from the hallway. The coffee station. The cubicles and offices.

At that, I let a small smile slip. Everyone’s watching. Everyone sees me at his side. They can tell I mean something to him.

I don’t care about prestige or making a name for myself.

I care about being his.

This is as close as I get to licking him in front of the entire world and calling him mine.

Maybe one day.

It seems like I’m the only one who notices them. Not James. No one is worth his time. He guides me forward, just the two of us. His gait is long and confident. My heels clink louder the quieter it becomes.

“The open door to the corner office,” he says in a low voice, meant for me and no one else. “That’s me.”

“Don’t you meanus?”

He gives me a side-eye. It’s both ayesand ayou’re being a brat. I’ll spank you for it later.

We’re twenty feet from reaching his office. Andrea, his brunette assistant, sits up straighter. Ready to welcome us. He hasn’t told anyone that I would be here. Maybe she thinks I’m a client. Probably.

I can’t wait for him to introduce me as his…

Employee.

We’re still walking when the joy bubbling in my stomach is overshadowed by a strange feeling. We’re being watched. Maybe by Topher.

Except he isn’t here. I don’t see him. I sure don’t hear him.

It’s just the nerves creeping up on me again. Has to be it. My bladder is acting up too. I didn’t need to go a second ago. I do now.