Page 78 of The Surrender

“A certain birdie was Spector.” Gary jiggles his eyebrows.

“Wednesday,” I confirm.

“Interesting.”

“I know,” I agree. “Any tips?”

“She likes you. I think she sees herself in you when she was starting out. You know, if you secure that agreement, you’re going to smash your year target by quarter two.”

“No pressure, eh?”

“And what about Harrison?”

I freeze in my seat, coming over excruciatingly hot. “Mr. Harrison?” I more or less squeak. “What about him?” I clear my throat, trying to tamp down the blood rising to my cheeks.

“He’s changed his mind on Steers.”

Fuck, fuck, fuck.“I didn’t know he had a meeting with Steers.”

“Leighton didn’t brag?” Gary laughs, and I become increasingly uncomfortable. “Well, he had a meeting scheduled with Harrison, but he cancelled.”

“Shame.”

“And requested you.”

My jaw drops. “What?”

He smiles and stands. “Why’d you look so surprised?”

Because I am.God damn you, Jude.“I’ve never really spoken to him.” What the hell am I saying? I need to be up front. Except I can’t. Not now. If I tell my boss I’m involved with Jude, God knows what he’ll think. I glance at my phone, dying to grab it and call my unruly boyfriend. Yell at him.

“Well, you’re making a name for yourself, Amelia. And if you have the likes of Tilda Spector championing you, people listen.” He stands, and my dazed gaze rises with him. My face must be spelling out a whole lot of panic.

“I’ll call Mr. Harrison,” I murmur, at a loss.

“No need.” Gary heads for the door, glancing at his watch. “He’s here.”

I push back into my chair, my stomach bottoming out. “Here?” I whisper. “Mr. Harrison is here?”

“I’ll tell them to let him up.” The door closes, and I sit in my chair, staring at the wood, my brain short-circuiting. Cognitive thought finds me way too late. I grab my phone and dial Jude, going to the door and peeking out. Jesus, where the fuck is Leighton? Jude’s phone goes straight to voicemail.

“Shit.” I hurry to the elevators, walking fast, one gear off breaking into a run, constantly checking around me. The lift dings, just as I land in front of the doors, and I brace myself to push Jude back in.The fucker.What’s he playing at? Except when the doors open, the cart’s empty.

“Amelia.” Shelley’s voice has me turning around, finding her walking down the corridor towards me with a shit-eating grin on her face.

And Jude’s behind her.

“Look who’s here,” she practically sings, her eyes wide and delighted.

“Yes, look,” I murmur, annoyingly dizzy at the sight of my newly acquired boyfriend. Suited. Booted. Stubbly. Eyes dancing, his hair sexed up. “God help me,” I whisper, slapping a smile on my face, peeking around for any signs of Leighton.

“Miss Lazenby.” Jude stops, his stance wide, his hands in his pockets.

“Mr. Harrison.” I’m going to fucking kill him. “Step into my office.” I sweep an arm out to the door behind him, and he looks back.

“Now there’s an offer a man could never refuse.” He smirks. I’m going to kill himtwice.

Slowly.