Maybe they’ve been talking to Noah’s clients behind his back while he’s been away on the book tour he told me about.
I curse myself for not texting him yesterday when the request for the meeting came through—that was so fucking dumb.
And now, when it finally occurs to me, the door opens before I can get my phone out to do just that.
I could still do it.
I’m Chase fucking Knightly, I can do whatever the fuck I want here since I’m not contracted to this... woman.
God, she makes me cringe with her saccharine sweet smile that looks as fake as her bottle-red hair.
Her tight black blouse is even more revealing than last time, and her heels have to be beyond uncomfortable. And though I normally don’t judge, having met her before, I have no qualms in thinking those arenotappropriate workplace shoes, just like her skirt might be just a tad too short.
I put on my most put-out expression and force my eyes onto hers.
“What’s this about?”I really should’ve had Elsa ask more questions instead of just agreeing.
“Good day, Mr. Knightly,” she says, and my guess is she’s purposefully forcing her voice into what’s supposed to be a seductive purr, but it’s just embarrassing.
“Noah didn’t mention any meetings,” I tell her flatly.
“We felt that he wasn’t following up with you in a timely manner.” What a load of bullshit. “And really, a man with your influence should be represented by someone with more seniority.”
“I’m not interested,” I tell her plainly. “I find that someone else, and you especially, would not understand what I want with a project as personal as this, and I don’t appreciate the frankly concerning disregard you have for your own employees. I cannot imagine why you would treat your clients any better if the people who work for you can’t count on you for basic human decency. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m a busy man and I’ve got better places to be.”
Literally anywhere else.
And I have to make sure Noah hears about this. Even if hedoesn’t want me to invest in his agency, anything is better than this place.
It’s clear that I’ve been off my game, letting simple things pass me by without noticing, because when I turn to leave, Noah’s at the door, looking right at me.
And he doesn’t look happy.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Noah
“What’s going on?”I swing my gaze between Chase and Cordelia while dread settles in my stomach like lead. Is Chase secretly meeting with Cordelia? No, he wouldn’t, would he? He hasn’t texted me today yet, which is unusual, but I didn’t read anything into it except that he was busy.
I’ve been equally as busy. Half my time I’ve spent contacting my clients, and whilst asking them to be discreet, I’ve been sounding them out about joining me when I have my own agency. The rest I’ve been trying to help Rafe, as the agent ANC have put in place for him has been nothing short of useless, and the reservations and transport he’s booked for him are all in the wrong places or for the wrong dates. I’ve managed to sort out the next couple of days for him, but I still have work to do, arrangements to make, which I’d been assured had been handled.
“It’s nothing, Noah. I’m dealing with it,” Cordelia says dismissively and turns back towards Chase with a sickly smile that he actually recoils from. Which, if I’m honest, the look thatcomes over Cordelia’s face is almost worth it. Almost. I might actually have enjoyed it if I didn’t have this hard knot of worry that now I’d found a way out, it’s all been for nothing.
“The hell you are,” he says and takes a step away from her. “Noah, will you let me explain?”
I nod, not trusting myself to speak yet, and retreat to my office. He follows and closes the door behind him. I lean back against my desk and fold my arms. Normally, when I’m nervous I’ve a tendency to gabble on, but now I have nothing. I just press my lips together and wait for whatever Chase has to say.
“I’m sorry, really sorry, Noah. Elsa took the call and said ANC wanted a meeting. I assumed it was you, and in my excitement I didn’t question it. I had no idea it was Cordelia I was set up to meet.
“As soon as I realised what was going on, that she was going behind your back, I put a stop to it. I was just leaving and about to let you know when you saw me.”
I close my eyes and take in a deep breath, and when I release it my stomach settles. I open my eyes and look at Chase. He’s worrying his lip in a way I’ve never seen before. Like he’s nervous. The mighty and powerful Chase Knightly is worried about my opinion of him. The truth is, I do believe him, he’s always been straight with me. Whereas Cordelia...
“That explains her outfit today, then,” I say, and Chase’s mouth twists into a smile. He lets out a huff of breath, part laugh and part a release of tension.
“I’d like to say that I can’t believe it of her, but sadly I can. I should have known she’d pull a stunt like this after she questioned me about you last week. I’ve been so busy with Rafe’s tour I didn’t give it much thought. What a mess. There’s noway I can trust her again after this.” I drag a hand through my curls.
Chase closes the gap between us in two strides and my breath hitches at his proximity. He gently takes my hand.