Page 10 of Before and After

Allie would be there. I kept my face blank. Jazz was Tessa’s assistant, and Sierra was a bubbly blonde in charge of outdoor activities. Allie being there meant I shouldn’t attend.

My mouth moved of its own accord. “Fine. I’ll be there.”

“Good.” Ro slipped into his jacket. “Now, I might check on my hotel manager before my call.”

Piper rolled her eyes.

My lips quirked. Ro was cross-eyed in love with Tessa. Watching the two of them together made me…

I mentally shook my head. I was happy for them. Despite being a billionaire, things hadn’t always been easy for Ro. He deserved a good woman like Tessa.

“I hope ‘check on’ isn’t an euphemism for something.” Piper rose. “Don’t cause an HR issue.”

Ro’s grin widened. “I’ll do my best.”

Shaking my head, I strode out. I had resumes to go over and I had no doubt my emails were piling up by now. I had more than enough work to keep me busy. Like I’d said to Piper and Ro, being focused on stopping trouble before it started was what made me good at my job.

I needed to focus on work, not on distractions that weren’t for me.

And definitely not storm-gray eyes and legs that went on forever.

Chapter 3

Allie

Time to clock off.

Standing in the locker room, I stripped off my uniform and hit the showers. My shift had run smoothly. It was always a good day when there was no disaster to clean up. I let the hot water run over my head, releasing a sigh.

I wished I could stay in here longer, but Tessa had texted strict instructions for me to meet her in Ro’s office.

Shutting off the water, I grabbed a towel and dried off. Then I pulled on my clean clothes. She wanted me to look at paint samples or something. A decorator, I was not. My plan was just to hum and nod at any questions I was asked. To be fair, she’d sweetened the deal by bribing me with afternoon snacks from the local bakery. As kids, we’d been in there every week to buy honey cakes.

Pulling on some leggings, I snatched up my favorite slouchy sweater in a silvery-blue and yanked it over my head. It instantly slid off one shoulder since I’d managed to stretch it in the last wash. I ran a hand through my hair.

There. Ready. It was so easy having short hair. I wrinkled my nose. The downside was that it needed to be cut regularly to stayin style. With my tight budget these days, I knew I might need to think about growing it longer.

I grabbed my bag and checked my watch. I had thirty minutes until I needed to pick up Ollie from school. Perusing paint colors better not take too long.

I headed up to the offices. I knew Sierra would be there, along with Jazz and Piper. Striding down the hallway, I caught a hint of scent in the air and my steps slowed.

Caden. I knew his cologne anywhere. It was dark and spicy, and made me think of dark nights and dirty fantasies.

I drew in a lungful. He must’ve recently passed this way.

Then I stiffened.God, I was pathetic. Sniffing a man’s cologne like a junkie. Seriously, I had no idea why the man got to me, apart from his magnificent thighs, and the confident way he carried himself, and his black eyes.

Shaking my head, I continued down the hallway. I liked conversation and cuddles and having fun when I was with a guy. I was pretty sure Caden didn’t believe in any of those things. If he did, he’d probably self-destruct.

Voices came from Ro’s office and I set my shoulders back.

I had snacks to eat and fabric swatches to pretend I liked. I was putting Caden Castro out of my mind.

As I entered, I heard Tessa’s laugh, but my gaze went straight to Ro. The hotelier was wearing a navy-blue suit, no doubt tailored for his broad shoulders and lean hips. He looked like he should be on the cover of GQ. His dark hair had a touch of a curl and he had a handsome face many women drooled over.

He was smiling as he looked at Tessa like she was the rising sun.

Ugh, they were so in love.