Page 33 of Sugar

“Reach out if you think of anything you forgot. Or for any reason.”

That added throwaway offer at the end usually would’ve been enough to make my overactive imagination flare up. Instead, I was preoccupied by my own emotions. Disappointment sank in my belly at the knowledge it was likely the last we would see of each other. But curiosity prickled at that instinctive part of my brain as I wondered what had him moving so quickly. I focused on the first part.

Hoping there might be seven degrees of separation that would cause our paths to cross down the line, I asked, “I don’t know if you’re allowed to tell me, but were you hired by Doug?”

He paused what he was doing and looked up to meet my gaze. There was an indecipherable look on his face before he said, “No.”

Yikes.

Way to make it weird, Mads.

“Oh. I’m, uh, sorry?—”

He cut off my apology. “I turned him down. We weren’t a good fit.”

That was surprising. Doug seemed to get along with anyone and everyone. Even if they didn’t mesh, it wasn’t like they had to be besties for Easton to represent him.

Or for Doug to pay him for that service.

It seemed odd he would pass on the easy money.

Maybe he really does have control issues.

I wanted to press on it, but I swallowed down the questions that weren’t my business. “I’ll send you a draft of the article when I’m done. Thank you again for meeting with me.”

I started for the door when he called, “Maddie.”

I paused and looked over my shoulder.

“You can exit through that door. It brings you right into the lot.”

“I’m parked down the street.”

For whatever reason, he didn’t look pleased about that. “Park in the lot next time.” I didn’t bother to point out that there wouldn’t be a next time as he glanced at his watch. “I’ll walk you to your car.”

“Oh, you don’t have…” My refusal tapered off at the withering glare he shot me. “Thanks.”

I lost the ability to make any further conversation when he unrolled his sleeves and refastened his cufflinks into place before pulling his suit coat back on.

I never knew watching a man put more clothes on could be so sexy, yet here we are.

He grabbed a briefcase and closed the distance between us as I distractedly stepped into the hall. We both paused as he closed his office door and hovered his palm over the electric lock until it clicked into place.

More of the offices were darkened and empty, though a few hard workers remained. We passed one before Easton took a step back into the open doorway. “Keep an eye on your phone.”

“On it, boss,” the guy answered before his curious gaze landed on me. He offered a smile that I returned.

Easton’s hand moved like he was going to touch my lower back.

I hoped he would.

But then he lifted it away to gesture down the hall.

We walked in silence through the empty lobby, and I gave the guppies one last look before we walked out the door.

The same beefy man was at his spot in the entryway. When he saw us, he jumped up to grab the door, but Easton waved him off.

“Are you done soon, Benji?”