“Liar.”
I shot him a warning look.
“Fine, be stubborn.” Anthony shrugged. “But while you’re busy pretending not to care, Katherine’s circling like a shark. And if you think she’s back just for business, you’re deluding yourself.”
Chapter 339
Chapter 339
Madison
+25 BONUS
The cab smelled like pine air freshener and faint cigarettes, an assault on my senses after the sterile environment of Knight Industries.
I leaned my head against the cool window, watching Manhattan blur past. My phone buzzed in my purse, pulling me from my trance.
Hazel’s name flashed on the screen. I swiped to answer.
“Please tell me you’re not still at work,” she said without preamble.
“I’m in a cab, actually,” I replied, stifling a yawn. The Manhattan Project had consumed my day, leaving my brain feeling like mush.
“Perfect timing! I need you to go shopping with me for my company party. The one I told you about yesterday? I found this incredible boutique in SoHo that’s having a sale.”
I glanced at my watch. Almost six. “Now? I’m exhausted, Hazel.”
“Yes, now. The sale ends today, and I need your brutally honest opinion on dresses. Plus, you need something too.”
“I never said I was going to your party.
“You never said you weren’t,” she countered. “Come on, Madison. Beach day Madison would say yes.
I rolled my eyes. “Monday Madison has been staring at architectural plans for nine hours straight.”
“All the more reason for retail therapy. Just meet me after you freshen up. I’ll text you the address.”
11
The thought of trying on dresses under fluorescent lighting made my head throb, but the alternative, going home to stare at my walls and wonder what Alexander was doing with Katherine, seemed worse.
“Fine,” I conceded. “Give me an hour to shower and change.”
“Yes!” Hazel cheered. “Wear something cute. There might be eye candy at this boutique.”
“I’m not interested in boutique eye candy.”
“You should be. That’s the whole point of this excursion: to remind you that men exist outside of Knight Industries. Attractive men who don’t have ex–girlfriends named Katherine.”
I winced at the name. “Alright, I’ll see you in an hour. Text me the address.”
“Will do. And Madison? Wear the push–up bra.”
I hung up without dignifying that with a response, but I couldn’t help smiling. Hazel’s brand of aggressive friendship was exactly what I needed right now.
The cab pulled up to my building, and I paid the driver, tipping generously. The doorman nodded as I passed,
Chapter 339
+25 BONUS
and I managed a tired smile in return.
Inside the elevator, I slumped against the wall, the events of the day catching up with me. The Manhattan Project was moving forward smoothly, and I caught glimpses of Alexander amidst busy meetings and my PA responsibilities throughout the day.
Our arrangement was over. I’d ended it. So why did I keep looking for him? Why did my stomach knot every time I saw photos of him with Katherine?
The elevator doors opened on my floor, and I fumbled for my keys. Inside my apartment, I kicked off my heels with a sigh of relief.
“Mom? I’m home,” I called.
“In the kitchen, sweetie,” she replied.
I found her at the table with a cup of tea and a magazine, looking more vibrant than she had in months.
“You’re home early,” she remarked, eyebrows raised. “Is Alexander working late?”
“He left early.”
Mom studied me over her teacup. “You seem distracted. Everything okay?”
“Just tired.” I opened the fridge, scanning its contents without seeing anything. “Actually, I’m meeting Hazel for some shopping in an hour.”
“Shopping? On a Monday?” Her surprise was justified. Spontaneous weeknight outings weren’t exactly my style.
“Her company’s having a party, and she needs a dress.” I closed the fridge, giving up on the pretense of hunger.
“And what about you? Need a dress for a special occasion?” Mom’s smile turned sly. “Perhaps something to knock Alexander’s socks off?”
I forced a laugh. “It’s just a party, Mom.”
“Mmm–hmm.” She didn’t look convinced. “Well, go have fun. You work too hard.”
“That’s what Hazel says.”
“Smart girl, that Hazel.” Mom winked. “Tell her I expect a full report on whatever you buy.”
“Will do,” I promised, heading for the bathroom. “I’m going to shower quickly.”
Under the hot spray, I let my thoughts wander. Hazel’s suggestion to date someone else lingered in my mind. It wasn’t a terrible idea, objectively speaking. Alexander and I had an arrangement, essentially a business transaction, and now it was over. Dating would be a healthy step forward.
So why did the thought make my stomach clench?
Because you have feelings for him, an unhelpful voice in my head supplied. Because seeing him with Katherine at the gala made you want to stab her with a cocktail fork.
2/3
Chapter 339
+25 BONUS
I scrubbed my hair with more force than necessary, as if I could wash away the uncomfortable truth. This wasn’t part of the plan. I wasn’t supposed to develop feelings for my boss, especially one with Alexander’s reputation and complicated history.
But here I was, jealous and distracted, acting like a teenager with a crush instead of a professional adult wornan.
“Pathetic,” I muttered to the shower tiles.
I finished quickly, wrapping myself in a towel and padding to my bedroom. My phone buzzed with Hazel’s text containing the boutique address and an excessive number of shopping bag emojis.
What to wear to a boutique in SoHo?
I rifled through my closet, pushing past the neat row of office–appropriate blouses and pencil skirts. My wardrobe was painfully practical: clothes for work, clothes for sleeping, clothes for occasional social events that were usually work–related.
When had I become so boring?
I pulled out a pair of dark jeans I rarely wore to the office and a silky green top. It was not my usual style, but maybe that was the point. New Madison, new clothes.
As I dressed, I deliberately avoided looking at the lingerie drawer where Alexander’s gifts resided; lace and silk in various jewel tones, each piece more expensive than anything I’d buy for myself.
I applied minimal makeup, just enough to look alive, and tousled my hair into something approximating stylish volume. The woman in the mirror looked… different. Less polished than Madison the Personal Assistant, less carefully controlled than Madison the Project Manager.
Just Madison.
Chap
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.
