“Think about it. You’d live in his mansion. Have you seenhis article in Architectural Digest? That place is unreal. And you could set the rules and your own terms. Plus… You’d be shacking with a ridiculously hot billionaire. There are worse fates, MJ.”
I throw my head back with a groan. “Oh my God, you’re just as crazy as he is.”
But even as I say it, a tiny, dangerous part of me wonders if she’s right.
By the time Tiana is done working her persuasive magic on me, my head is spinning.
At home, I move on autopilot; keys in the dish, shoes by the door, kettle on. I don’t even hear the water boil until it squeals. I pour a cup and stare at the steam like it might give me answers.
I fold onto the couch and press my palms over my eyes until little starbursts pop. The worst part isn’t the logistics. It’s the memory of the vulnerability and the pleading in Worth’s voice.
It’s how my heart answered before my head did.
It’s beena few days since my heated encounter with Worth at the gala, and everything has gone back to business as usual. Or at least, that’s what it looks like on the surface.
Worth has been ignoring me, barely acknowledging my presence unless work requires it.
Today, Griffin is taking me on my very first site visit. We’re checking out the community homes being built a few blocks over, and I’ve been buzzing about it all weekend. It’ll be my first time slipping into steel-toe boots and a hard hat, and it makes me feel like I’m finally stepping into the real work, not just being stuck behind a desk drafting endless designs.
He stops by my desk just after nine, holding a cardboard box and grinning.
“Got your gear, newbie,” he says, dropping it onto my desk with a thud.
Inside is a neon vest, a pair of heavy boots, and the brightest yellow hard hat I’ve ever seen. I bite back a smile as I pull the vest out.
“Please tell me I don’t have to wear this in the office.”
Griffin laughs. “Only if you want to be a fashion icon. We’ll change before we head out.”
We chat while I try the boots on for size and he runs me through the plan for the morning.
Then, as if on cue, the mood shifts.
Worth strides in late, coat in one hand, phone pressed to his ear. His voice is low, but the tension in his jaw says more than words ever could. He doesn’t look in my direction, doesn’t so much as glance at Griffin standing a foot away from me. He heads straight into his office and shuts the door.
“He’s been even grumpier than usual. Which, you know, is saying a lot,” Griffin says, rolling his eyes before turning back to the files on my desk.
I clear my throat. “Do you know why, by any chance? Has he said anything?”
Griffin chuckles. “Nope. Probably just stress. He’s been picking up the slack while Henson’s away.”
“His brother,” I say, nodding.
“Yeah, Henson’s been up in Vancouver for weeks, leading a big project. He’s coming back today. So Worth’s been dealing with double the load.”
That makes sense. Sort of.
I know one of the reasons why Worth has been acting even grumpier than usual, but I won’t admit it has anything to do with me out loud.
I lean back in my chair, chewing the inside of my cheek. Henson left before I started, so I never got to introduce myself.
“I guess I’ll finally get the chance to meet Henson.”
Griffin grins. “You’ll like him. He’s the more charming Miller, if you ask me.”
“Low bar,” I mutter under my breath, and he laughs, loud enough to turn a few heads in the office.
My eyes glance to Worth’s door, but it’s shut. I guess he’s still upset that I refused his proposal.