“Just say it. No need to overthink it.”
She shrugs. “Okay. Well, Alexis saw you at Jupiter last night.”
A bolt hits me with slight fear. I do my best not to appear like a deer in headlights. I maintain my polite smile with a struggle. “And?”
“You were with Hayes.”
My smile is still strained, but I’m going to keep pushing forward. I still have half a day at the office to get through. “A few people from work were there. We had a meeting.”
Blair asks, “Alone?” in a doubtful tone.
“Well, some had to leave early, and I was late.”
“I hope I’m not overstepping, but there is a rumor.”
My brows raise as more fear flows through me. “Oh?”
“She said you were quite close together. Is there something going on?”
Maybe my nose flares as I grip my chair, a bit tired. “Nah. It was just work.”
She nods softly. “Yeah,I thought so.” She doesn’t sound completely convinced but seems to let it go when her smile reappears. “Well, thanks for the feedback. I'd better get back to data input. I am not looking forward to an internal audit.” She blows out a big breath theatrically.
“Who does?”
She stands and leaves, giving me a few seconds to collect myself. Exiting the meeting room, I begin to feel relief trickle inside me.Everybody is busy at their desks. When I turn thecorner to my office, I can’t help but instantly smile. There are white roses.
I should be angry. This is the last thing I need right now. With rumors, my mind struggling with life decisions, and blurring lines on the professional front.
I walk to my desk and lift the card, chuckling. I should have known.
Savannah and I have always had a funny game. Betting on things in the office or things happening in Everhope. We would send things back and forth to whoever won. Cakes or flowers. I just didn’t realize we had an ongoing bet.
The card reads:These could be from someone else if you choose.
I snort a laugh to myself. Of course. Her interference would help me focus.
There’s a knock on my open door, and I peer up to see Blair. “Sorry, I forgot to ask one thing about the paidtariff for Europe.”I notice quickly how her eyes draw a line straight to the flowers. “Ooh, someone has an admirer.”
“Nah, it’s only?—”
I’m interrupted by a masculine voice behind Blair. “Who the hell is sending you flowers?” Hayes stands in the doorway, fury filling his eyes.
Blair’s eyes widen as she steps aside. Hayes, his face stone, seems too tense to step farther into my office.
“It’s none of your business,” I say defensively.Shit.That is not going to help this situation. Not when I have a man completely possessed in front of me and probably half of the office listening right now. Riling him up is my mistake.
“It is my business. You’re the mother ofmydaughter.”
In that moment, it feels like the world stops.Blair’s jaw drops, and the office is so quiet I can hear the sound of the coffee machine a distance away.
I drop the card onto my desk, bring my hand to my hip, and my face hardens with anger. “Blair, can you give us a minute. And by all means, fuel that gossip train as Hayes is Lola’s father,” I tell her flippantly.
Blair still seems in shock, which is fair enough, as she has just witnessed an office secret pop. She nods nervously before fleeing.
Hayes ignores her and steps into the office, carelessly closing the door behind him. “Answer me.”
Shaking my head in disbelief, I’m furious. “First off, they’re from Savannah, so calm it down.” He instantly sighs in relief. I clench my hanging fists in the air, pushing back every ounce of wanting to shout. “Bravo, Hayes. The whole office now knows.”