Page 66 of Hate You Up Close

“The Audit department is on your floor, right?”

“Right,” he nods through furrowed brows.

“Does the name Zachary Miller ring a bell?”

“Yes, I talked to him this morning.”

“Good,” I reply. “I need you to have a friendly chat with him. And don’t tell him that you’re friends with me.” I turn to look at Zion, flashing him a serious glance.

“He thinks he’s going on a date with Roxanne, but that’s not fucking happening,” I continue. “I need you to find out where and when this date is going to happen.”

“Are you serious?” he gasps, shaking his head as we step into the elevator.

“Deadly,” I rasp. “I’ve never been more serious in my life.”

“Dude,” he scoffs. “You’re unhinged. You reallyaredown bad for your assistant.”

“Zion,” I grit out. “Don’t make this difficult. I would do this for you.”

And I would. He knows I would. He’s probably the only person I would do something like this for. Sure, I can be a massive dick to him, but I always follow through on my word. I’ve always had Zion’s back.

“Fine,” he groans. “But I swear to God, he better notfind out that I’m in on whatever plan you’re cooking up. I work on the same floor as him, Elliot. I see the guy every day.”

“He won’t,” I reply with full confidence.

Because I’m going to put a stop to the date before it even has a chance to happen.

Zachary Miller can find somebody else to wine and dine and stick his tiny dick into. But one thing is for damn sure, it won’t be Roxanne Taylor.

FIFTEEN

Elliot

I’m sitting behind my desk the following Monday, impatiently tapping my fingertips against my slacks.

Zion messaged me ten minutes ago saying he was about to call with an update. Since then, I’ve been eyeing the clock, watching the minutes pass by slower than molasses. I’ve barely been able to sleep due to constantly thinking about the date situation. I won’t be able to rest peacefully until I know it’s dealt with for sure.

I exhale a relieved breath when my phone finally rings and Zion’s name flashes across the screen. Faster than I can blink, I answer the call.

“Finally,” I huff out an annoyed breath while bringing the phone to my ear.

“I texted you like five minutes ago,” Zion scoffs. “Have some damn patience.”

Patience isn't in my vocabulary when it comes to Roxanne.

“Ten minutes ago,” Icorrect him.

“You’ve gone mad,” he retorts. “I should be a good civilian and warn Roxy about your unhinged obsession with her.”

I’d like to see him try.

“What did you find out?” I ask, needing to get straight to the point.

“Oh, not much. Just…everything.” I can practically hear the smug grin on his face. “Time, date, place…I got all the deets.”

“Okay,” I drawl out. “Stop dragging it out then. What do you know?”

He chuckles into the line.