because you said 'please.' But I know you’re having a bad day, so I’ll get your coffee because I care. Not because I’m your fake whatever.”
“Thanks,” he says, giving back a smile like the sun.
Oof. It almost makes putting up with his growliness worth it.
He’s so tense he’s gone from sculpted Orion to militant Hercules.
I linger in front of his desk, waiting for more, but it never comes. I’m off to The Bean Bar with a fluttery smile, and when the barista passes me the cup, I pull out a pen and quickly sketch a certain constellation—only this hunter wears a long, exaggerated tie.
“Back so soon? Thanks, sweetheart,” he says, barely looking up.
He doesn’t notice my little doodle.
I ignore the cue to exit, clearing my throat. “Ward, are you going to be okay?”
“Yeah, just can’t afford to lose focus. You should concentrate on your job, too.”
What the hell?
“I hope that wasn’t implying I don’t do my job,” I say sharply.
That gets his attention. He meets my eyes.
“No. You work your cute ass off, never any doubt about that. Sorry. We’re all on edge.” He sighs, leaning his massive body back in the tall leather chair.
His new angle makes him notice what’s on the cup as he lifts it for another slurp. For a second, that mile-wide grin returns with a slow understanding nod.
I smile back.
“Thank God. You had me worried, Paige. I was starting to fear I’d have to settle for your smart mouth and never get another message by coffee cup again,” he says with a chuckle.
I wink at him and return to my desk, my heart twisting like a rag. I want this easy banter and loaded smiles.
I want it all, truth be told, and I know I can’t have it. Not while his psycho parents are out there scheming up so much misery. I stay long into the evening, even after my own work is done, hoping for some tiny crumb of good news.
Around eight p.m., Ward emerges from his office and blinks when he sees me. “You didn’t have to stay this late.”
“And you don’t need to work yourself to death, mister.” I stand, reaching for my purse, my eyes searching his for any hope.
It’s not there.
When we head down the elevator together and step outside, Ward almost climbs into an Uber waiting for someone else and not the usual jet-black Lincoln.
My heart aches for him.
This stress is making him lose it.
Back at the penthouse, he still doesn’t have much to say. He orders dinner like we do several times a week. I only cook if I want to.
I grab the mobile order when it shows up, put the food on the table, and go to his study. “Dinner! Hope you’re hungry.”
“Thanks. I’ll eat later. Don’t starve yourself waiting up for me,” he says, still hunched over his computer, a ragged fighting look on his face.
Right.
I promised Ward I’d stay out of the guest suite and I’m not sitting at that massive table by myself, so I grab my General Tso’s chicken and flop down on the couch. At least Netflix still has time for me.
He hasn’t come out of his office by the time I finish dinner and binge-watch three episodes of a small-town suspense series inspired by the intrigue in Heart’s Edge, Montana.
It’s closing in on midnight when I pad to his office again and knock softly on the door.
“Ward?” I try the knob and open it.
He pushes his chair around to face me. “What’s up?”
“Do you need help? If you’re crunching this late, you shouldn’t have to do it alone.”
“You can’t help me with this,” he says darkly. “It’s not technically company business...even if my asshole father wants it to be.”
Right, because I’m so incapable.
“Well, why don’t you take a break so you can eat sometime tonight?”
His face looks like I’m tearing him away from his pride and joy.
“Paige, I’m fine. It’s just a late night like a thousand others I’ve had in my life. If you’re tired, rest. Whatever else he’s trying to steal from us, I’m not letting him take your beauty sleep,” he growls.
I cast him a longing look, but I know there’s no winning. Not without an elephant to pull him away from his desk.
Just before midnight, I lie down in Ward’s California king bed alone. Should I have gone to the guest suite? Or would that upset him more? Does he expect to find me here?
I’m a mess of nerves and restless thoughts for at least an hour