Page 40 of The Arrangement

“Keisha.”

She makes a face to express her displeasure.

“Maybe I overstepped,” I say, holding my hands before me. “But you scared the shit out of me. What was I supposed to do?”

“Wait until I get in the office.” She closes her eyes and shakes her head. “You shouldn’t have come here.”

“Why?”Because you’re not used to people showing up for you?

“Because this … This is my life. It’s a very different world from Brewer Air. And when I’m at work, I’m not reminded of this. But now …” She groans, shrugging helplessly.

“But nowwhat?”

I want to reach out and pull her into me, promising her everything will be all right. Because I could make it all right. I could fix all her problems easily, and it would please me so fucking much to do that for her. And for Mimi.

She won’t accept my help, though. As a matter of fact, I know she’d take it as an insult. She’s as prideful as her grandmother. That’s an endearing trait most of the time. But right now, it’s frustrating.

“You don’t want me here?” I ask.

I take in the fear in her eyes.The vulnerability. It rips my heart into pieces.

She deserves to have someone protect her—love her. Help her. Cheer her on.Why can’t that be me?

“No,” she says. “I’ll come into the office this afternoon. We can talk then.”

“All right,” I tell her, keeping my hands in my pockets so I don’t reach for her. “I’ll go.”

She nods, her bottom lip quivering.

I turn away before I do something stupid and move silently down the hallway.

Chapter 10

Chloe

“Breathe, Chloe,” I whisper to the empty elevator.

I suck in a slow breath and blow it out in an easy, even gush before stepping out of the elevator. Brandi starts to speak but stops when she sees me. Her face says it all.

“Yes, bad morning,” I say, moving through the foyer. “I owe you for helping me with the reports this morning. Thank you again.”

“You don’t owe me anything. It’s my job.” She narrows her eyes as I scurry by. “Do you need anything, Chloe?”

“I don’t know. Does this office have a policy on drinking?”

Her laughter makes me smile for the first time today.

“If not, I’ll take two shots of whiskey,” I say over my shoulder.

“Whiskey?”

I stop at my door, looking back at her as I reach for the knob. “I told you. Bad morning.”

I flash her a half smile, half cringe and enter my office. My shoulders slump before I get the door shut behind me, and a small grin slips across my face.

A coffee has been set beside my computer next to a pastry.

“Damn you, Jason,” I say softly, grinning at the result of his thoughtfulness.