Page 92 of One Bad Idea

Still, I did this every other week, just like he did the same to me in return. By unspoken agreement, we alternated weeks, leaving something every other Friday for the other person to find on the following Monday.

As I tiptoed out of his office, I took one final glance over my shoulder. The broccoli was sitting there, completely out of place, like a proverbial turd in a punchbowl.

It would be the perfect thing to start out his week – whether with a smile or a quiet curse. If he was anything like me, he'd probably do both.

I'd just returned to my own office to grab my purse and cell phone when a sudden burst of female laughter made me pause.

The laughter had come from just outside the executive suite. I turned to look just in time to see Jaden walk through the suite's door, looking slightly irritated.

Even more unsettling, he wasn't alone.

Chapter 35

Accompanying Jaden was a stunningly tall brunette wearing a form-fitting red dress and matching red heels.

I knew who she was. Her name was Victoria Landers, and she was an account executive with the advertising agency that handled most of the Bishop Brothers' promotional campaigns.

She worked out of New York, but had flown here just this morning for a meeting with Jaden. I knew this because I'd been the one to schedule the appointmentandto greet her earlier today when she'd shown up a full hour early for their one-on-one meeting.

But this meeting had ended hours ago, which told me one important thing. Whatever was going on now was more of a social call. As if to prove it beyond all doubt, Victoria gripped his arm and gave a little laugh as she said, "I can't believe I left it."

Jaden's reply held no trace of laughter. "Yeah. You and me both."

She gave him a playful swat to the arm. "Oh, don't be grumpy. This'll give us a chance to talk before my flight."

Something in her tone suggested that talking wasn't the primary thing on her mind. As if to hammer the point home, she leaned her head closer to his and practically cooed,"…unless you want me to reschedule?"

I stiffened.Reschedule what?

The flight?

That's what it sounded like to me.

The whole thing was beyond awkward. It was long past quitting time, and the only reason I'd stayed so late was to leave that stupid chew-toy on Jaden's desk. Now, he'd not only discover it early, but also discover it in front of an audience.

An audience of her.

And me.

I wasn’t sure which aspect bothered me more.

Until now, these little gift-exchanges had always been done in secret. It made it seem less strange somehow – like we weren't just a boss and employee, but something different.

Friends?

Sparring partners?

Or something more complicated?

I didn't know, and I hated the idea of finding out now, in front of someone who I didn't particularly like.

It wasn't that Victoria had been rude, exactly, but she'd obviously decided from the get-go that I was barely worth a hello. In contrast, she'd greeting Jaden like he was the juiciest morsel she'd ever seen.

Today was the first day the two of them had met in person. I knew this, because the purpose of today's meeting – in theory anyway – had been to give Victoria the chance to introduce herself as the newest member of the team handling the company's account.

The way it looked now, she was bucking for a more personal introduction after-hours. I bit my lip. Or maybe, that so-called introduction had already taken place.

After all, they weren't acting like two strangers. Plus, it wasn't lost on me that Jaden had been missing for most of the afternoon. His schedule had been empty, so I had no clue where he'd gone.