Madison
Hazel practically dragged me to the corner café across from the hospital, her arm linked through mine like she thought I might make a break for it. The bell chimed as we pushed through the door, and the smell of coffee wrapped around us like a warm hug.
We settled into a corner booth, and I barely had time to set my purse down before Hazel leaned across the table, eyes narrowed
like a detective about to crack a case.
“Okay, spill it. Something’s up with you.”
“What?” I fiddled with the menu. “Nothing’s up.”
“You’re practically floating, and don’t think I didn’t notice those designer knockoffs that look suspiciously real.” She tapped her fingernails on the table. “Since when do you shop at fancy fake markets anyway?”
I shifted in my seat. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Really? Because last time I checked, you were living on ramen and clearance rack clothes. Now suddenly you’re jetting off to Vegas with Mr. Sexy CEO-”
“Business trip!” I hissed, glancing around. “It was a business trip.”
“Uh–huh. A business trip with Alexander Knight, certified playboy and star of every gossip magazine’s ‘Most Eligible Bachelor‘ list.” She waggled her eyebrows. “And now you’re sitting here practically glowing like a Christmas tree.”
“I am not glowing.” I grabbed a napkin and dabbed at my face. “It’s just… good moisturizer.”
“Girl, please. You’re lit up brighter than the Vegas Strip.” She leaned back, crossing her arms. “Something happened.”
“Nothing happened! He’s my boss, that’s it.” I took a deep breath. “You want to know why my face is glowing?”
“Yes!” She practically bounced in her seat.
“I got selected as project manager for our new real estate development in Manhattan!” The words tumbled out in a rush. “It’s this huge luxury complex we’re building, and Mr. Knight picked me to lead it.”
Hazel’s jaw dropped. “Shut up! Like, actual project manager? Not just fetching coffee and organizing his calendar?”
“Yes, actual project manager.” I couldn’t help grinning. “I’ll be overseeing the whole development from start to finish.”
“Oh my god!” She reached across the table to squeeze my hands. “That’s amazing! So you’re finally free from being Mr. Knight’s PA?”
My smile faltered. “Well, not exactly…”
“What do you mean ‘not exactly‘?” Her eyebrows scrunched together.
“I’m still his PA too.”
“Hold up.” Hazel held up both hands. “You’re telling me you have to do both jobs? At the same time?”
I nodded, picking at my napkin. “Yeah…”
“Girl, are you crazy? That’s like… double the work! Please tell me they’re at least doubling your salary?”
“Um…” I took a sudden interest in the coffee menu on the wall. “We haven’t really discussed the details yet.”
“Madison Harper!” She smacked the table, making our water glasses jump. “You accepted a whole second job without talking about money?”
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Chapter 84
+25 BONUS
“It just happened! Mr. Russell presented the project, Mr. Knight picked me, and…” I shrugged helplessly. “It all happened so
fast.”
“Of course it did.” Hazel rolled her eyes. “Because heaven forbid Alexander Knight actually plans things like a normal person. He probably expects you to juggle both jobs while standing on your head and singing the national anthem.”
I couldn’t help laughing. “Don’t give him any ideas.”
“I’m serious!” But she was fighting back a smile, too. “What will you do when he wants his coffee delivered while you’re in the middle of a construction meeting?”
“Grow an extra pair of arms?”
“Better make it three pairs. And maybe clone yourself while you’re at it.”
I laughed at Hazel’s suggestion. “Trust me, if I knew how to grow extra arins or clone myself, I’d have done it already. Especially during board meeting weeks.”
“Girl, you need a raise, not extra limbs.” Hazel waved down a passing waitress. “Large caramel latte with an extra shot, please.”
“Just black coffee for me.” I rubbed my temples. “Strong enough to wake the dead.”
“Rough night?” Hazel smirked.
“More like a rough week.” I fiddled with my napkin. “You’ll never guess who called me in Vegas.”
Hazel’s eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. “Ooh, spill! Was it Brad Pitt? George Clooney? Please tell me it was Channing Tatum.”
“Not quite Hollywood caliber.” I took a deep breath. “It was Jackson.”
Hazel choked on her water, spraying droplets across the table. “Jackson? As in disappeared–without–a–trace, ghosted–us–for- three–years Jackson?”
“The very same.”
“Oh, hell no.” Hazel’s hand shot up like she was blocking evil spirits. “Tell me you hung up on his sorry ass.”
“I talked to him for a few minutes…”
“Madison!” She grabbed my shoulders across the table. “That traitor ghosted us for THREE YEARS! No calls, no texts, not even a lousy F******k like. Block his number right now.”
“Don’t you think that’s a bit-”
“Block. His. Number.” Hazel’s eyes narrowed, “We can’t even consider him human anymore. I’ve literally erased him from my memory. Jackson who? What’s his name? Never heard of him.”
The waitress appeared with our drinks, setting them down carefully. “One caramel latte with an extra shot and one black coffee strong enough to wake the dead.”
“Thanks,” I mumbled, wrapping my hands around the warm mug.
“You’re being a tad dramatic, don’t you think?” I took a sip of my coffee.
“Dramatic?” Hazel stirred her latte with excessive force, “The man vanished like a magician’s assistant. Poof! Gone! And now he thinks he can just waltz back into our lives like nothing happened?”
“He was in the UK for work-”
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Chapter 84
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“Oh please,” Hazel scoffed. “They have phones in England. And WIFI. And carrier pigeons, if he was really desperate.”
I sighed, stirring my coffee. “I know they have phones in England. He said work kept him crazy busy.”
“Too busy for a five–second text? ‘Hey guys, still alive, just drowning in tea and crumpets?“” Hazel’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
“So what did Mr. Disappearing Act actually want?” She took an aggressive sip of her latte, leaving a foam mustache that somewhat undermined her stern expression.
“He’s back in New York. Wants to meet up for coffee.” I traced the rim of my mug, avoiding her eyes.
“You should go.” Hazel’s response caught me off guard. I looked up to find her wiping away her foam mustache with a napkin.
“Really? I thought you’d tell me to run for the hills.”
“Oh, I absolutely think he’s a jerk. But aren’t you curious why he ghosted? Plus,” she narrowed her eyes, “interesting how he called you but not me.”
“Maybe he lost your number?”
“Please.” She waved her hand dismissively. “He could’ve asked you for it when he called. Face it, Madison – he saved your number because he likes you more than me.”
I nearly spat out my coffee. “What? No, that’s ridiculous. We’re just friends.”
“Right. Because ‘just friends‘ save one person’s number for three years while forgetting everyone else exists.” She rolled her eyes. “He totally had a crush on you before he left.”
“But you changed your number two years ago anyway,” I pointed out. “He couldn’t have reached you even if he wanted to.”
“That is so not the point here!” Hazel jabbed her spoon in my direction. “The point is, our supposed friend chose to keep in touch with the girl he had googly eyes for and forgot about the rest of us peasants.”
“He did not have googly eyes-”
“Madison Harper, I swear on my grandmother’s secret cookie recipe, that boy looked at you like you were the last slice of pizza
at 3 AM.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
