Page 106 of The Surrender

Because something doesn’t feel right, and I can’t put my finger on what.

Chapter 21

Mum and Dad woke up with sore heads on Sunday, but a lavish breakfast got them back on track. Poor Jude was hit with more of the Lazenbys when Mum insisted on repaying him for his hospitality and invited him for one of her famous Sunday roasts. Which, of course, meant he got to meet Grandma and Grandpa too. So that’s it. He’s met my entire family. And, I admit, when we left my parents and headed back to my place, I was a little worried Jude would try to worm his way out of this relationship we’ve unexpectedly got ourselves into. He didn’t. Instead, he took me to bed and whispered sweet nothings in my ear as he made love to me. Then the next morning, he made me a coffee with the new kettle he brought for me on Saturday while I was at the gym. Then he drove me to work. Kissed me long and softly before he let me get out of the car. It was the best start to my day, but that’s where my good day ended.

My Monday rapidly went downhill.

Gary was out of the office all day in client meetings, so I couldn’t talk to him about Jude. A client, Mr. Coldfoot, emailed to tell me he’s moving to the South of France and, therefore, moving his money too, putting a tidy hole in my portfolio, and a Zoom call at ten with Mr. Jarvis that was only allocated an hour turned into two hours, fucking up the rest of my day’s schedule and meetings. I’ve been chasing time ever since, run off my feet, but I haven’t achieved much. In fact, thanks to Mr. Coldfoot moving to France, I’ve gone backwards.

At three o’clock, I drop my mobile to my desk on a sigh and go to get myself some needed caffeine. I watch the coffee trickle out of the machine slowly and add some cold water when it’s done, drinking it on my way back to my desk. Three more hours to get through. Just three. I push my way back into my office and nearly throw up what I’ve just drunk when I see someone sitting on the opposite side of my desk.

“Nick?” I breathe, as he looks back at me. “What are you doing here?” My feet refuse to take me to my desk, keeping me by the open door.

He smiles and stands. “I had a meeting.”

“What?” I look back into the corridor, seeing it empty. “With whom?”

“Sue.”

My blood runs cold, everything telling me I’m not going to like what’s coming next. He’s blocking the way to my desk. “Sue?”

“About the new position that’s come up.”

“New position?”

“So how have you been?” He lowers back to the chair, getting comfortable, while I stand like a statue trying to process the bombshell he’s just landed on me. I round my desk and sit, grateful for the huge piece of wood now serving as a barrier between us.

“New position?” I repeat, not wanting to get into idle chitchat.

“You didn’t know LB&B are hiring?”

“No, I didn’t know.” What the fucking hell is going on? My eyes drop to my mobile on my desk. I’m itching to swipe it up and call Gary to find out. And, maybe, to tell him they can’t hire Nick. “And since you’re here, I’m assuming you’re thinking of going for it.”

“I would have mentioned it had you called me like you said you would.”

I look up sharply, not appreciating his sarcasm. “I’ve been busy.”

“I gathered. The interview went great, by the way.”

I laugh under my breath in disbelief as my thoughts scatter all over my desk. No. This can’t be happening. “I thought you were happy where you are.”

Gazing around my office, he nods to himself. “I think LB&B might be a better fit for me.”

But definitely not for me. “I have a three fifteen call.”

“Oh, right, sure.” Nick stands, tucking the chair in neatly before fastening his jacket. “I’ll let you get on.”

“Thanks.”

“Maybe we could grab a coffee sometime so you can give me a few pointers.”

“A few pointers on what?”

“Life at LB&B.”

He sounds certain he’ll get the job. I need to make sure he doesn’t. What the hell is he playing at? This is borderline stalking.Tell him about Jude!Except I don’t. Instead, I turn my eyes onto my computer and randomly move the mouse around the screen.

“Good to see you,” Nick says, eventually leaving.