I hummed softly to myself as I rearranged my desk, trashing worthless pieces of paper and sorting the manuscripts needed for the final review so I could hand them over to Max. It was a brand new Monday morning, and the long weekend haul was surprisingly refreshing.
When I’d gotten home after job hunting the other day, Finn looked utterly pleased to have had Max around and gutted to see him leave. I had a wrecked home as proof of just how much fun they’d had. Max, too, seemed to be handling everything quite well. I’d sat with my mouth hanging open as they made arrangements to go out for a playdate on Thursday. Apparently, Max was taking the day off to spend time with him.
It all felt so surreal. Too good to be true.
He told me I could come back to the office, and although I’d pretended to be disinterested, I had to accept his offer back. I needed to keep a close watch on him, and also, he’d offered a generous salary raise as well.
We’d been civil to each other all morning. Turned out, we were really going to ace this co-parenting thingy, as I was slowly learning how to let loose and not be selfish with Finn. He’d said he would be in his office all day today, and tomorrow, so he could finish up the work he’d been putting off for weeks, so I didn’t expect to see him till Thursday.
Which meant I had lots of free time for myself. A part of myself craved his touch, or at least a kiss, a validation of his lingering feelings for me, but I knew it wasn’t going to happen anytime soon. The only reason I still got to have him around was because of Finn. Our love had ended. A bitter pill, but I had to swallow it anyway.
Perhaps we weren’t even destined to end up together. Maybe I would meet someone way better and start a brand new love story with him. Free from deception. Free from the competition. Someone in my league.
I’d just finished putting away the manuscript I was working on when Ivy practically rushed out of the elevator to my table, breathless, with her cheeks flushed. “Elaine…” she panted, holding onto the edge of the table for support. “You can’t… someone…”
I rose from my seat, rounding the table to grip her arm. “Deep breaths, sweetheart. Deep breaths. What’s happening?”
“You wouldn’t believe it!” she exploded. “You know Gage Williams? Mr. Sturm’s hot stepbrother?”
I scrunched my face, my stomach sinking. Max had a stepbrother? Why didn’t he tell me about him?
“No…” I frowned. “Where is he?”
“Downstairs. And you know what the funny thing is? He’s asking after you! Oh my God, Elaine. What does this mean?”
Who knew? I’d never seen or heard of him before. “You’re sure I’m the one he’s asking for? Maybe there’s been a mix-up somewhere. I don’t know him, Ivy. And I’m not going downstairs to meet anyone.”
“It’s not even up for debate,” she scoffed, pressing a thin finger against my lips. “He’s much more powerful and hotter than Mr. Sturm. Tell me you’re not going to jinx this up. You’re not even on good terms with Mr. Sturm and you need a date.”
I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes as she slung our arms together, pulling me towards the elevator. Through the ride down, she dusted off imaginary flecks of dust on my gown and patted my hair down, prepping me up. It was amusing, seeing her act all giddy and motherly.
“Where is he?” I whispered as the elevator doors drew apart and we walked out, into the reception area. All eyes turned to us and I sighted a tall man in a posh black suit at the center of the room, tapping his foot. I swallowed nervously, wondering if Max had anything to do with this, even though it seemed unlikely.
“Ouch,” I turned to glare at Ivy when she pushed me forward. She’d shriveled up like a withered leaf, cheeks burning red like an overripe tomato as his gaze shifted from me to her, then back to me, settling. All of a sudden I felt severely underdressed in my signature plain black gown and gray flats. “Um, hello there. How may I help you, Sir?”
“Yes, I sent for you,” he cleared his throat, taking off his dark shades in one fluid motion. His eyes were a freezing blue, like Max’s but more like the clearest ice. His hair was a washed-up blonde that looked like the faintest shade of white, his canines pointy, giving him the look of a vampire when he beamed. Now I understood why Ivy was fretting. This man was a god. Hotter than Adonis, I was sure.
“Okay…” I gulped uncertainly, finding it hard to look away from his beautiful eyes. “Is there something you’d like me to do for you? Would you like me to schedule a meeting with your brother?”
At this, he barked out a laugh, and I clamped a hand over my mouth to keep myself from squealing at how velvety and smooth it sounded. Ugh, I was losing it. What the hell is wrong with me?
“Brother?” he cocked his head to the side. I blushed in embarrassment, tongue-tied. “Who told you that?”
I stole a glance at Ivy to see her shiver, then decided against what I had in mind. “It was a harmless guess. I’d like to know what this is all about since I’m pressed for time, so if you don’t mind…”
“Ah, you’re a busy bee, I get it,” he winked sexily. “I’m Max’s cousin, and I know that we haven’t met each other before. Still, I don’t want you to take what I’m about to say the wrong way. It’s been bothering me for such a long time ever since I caught a glimpse of you here for the first time…”
My stomach plummeted. Oh, fudge. Where exactly was he driving?
“I’m Gage,” he held out a hand which I took reluctantly, still trying to process what was happening. “I thought a proper introduction might help.”
“Nice to formally you, Gage,” I found my voice at last. “I’m Elaine Mathews.”
“Elaine,” he breathed, and I felt it deep in my soul. Oh, Jesus. He beamed seductively once more and time seemed to stand still between us.
Okay, honestly, this was weird.
“Would you like to go out with me on Friday night?”
I blinked, thrown off. That wasn’t… what I was expecting. “A date?” I frowned, hardly believing it. “Are you serious?”
“Yes,” he nodded. “Why do you look surprised?”
I scratched my head awkwardly. How could I put this delicately…?
“Well, I’m sorry but I’ll be extremely busy on Friday, so I can’t make it,” I lied. It wasn’t as if I could say no. Goddess knew how far he’d go to get me to give in. “I’m so sorry,” I turned to walk away but he gripped my wrist.
“Wait…”
My heart did a backflip in my chest.
“Some other time then? Sorry for being so pushy, but I hope you give me a chance. Please.”
“Sure,” I shrugged. “That’s okay.”
“I hope your boss won’t mind?”
I rolled my eyes. “Not at all. He has no business with my personal affairs.” I was only turning him down because people were watching. He was cute, and I liked him.
“Okay,” he thrust his hands into his pockets and took a step back. “You’ll ask me out next time?”
I chuckled. “I’ll keep that in mind. Goodbye, Gage.”
When he left, everyone practically hovered over to squeal with me. “You’re so lucky, Elaine,” Ivy panted with a huge grin on her face as she pulled me in for a bear hug. Gage had no idea what he’d just done for me. He’d given me a confidence boost. One I so desperately needed at such a time like this.
And I couldn’t be more grateful to him for it.