How to Marry Your Frenemy - London Casey Page 0,91
have a long day ahead of me anyway. So I might be a few minutes later than normal.”
“So we’re showing up separately,” he said.
“It’s not the end of the world.”
He nodded. “Okay. I’ll see you around then, Callie.”
He turned and walked down the hallway.
I inched my way out of the apartment and felt my mouth moving.
Like I wanted to yell to him. Like I wanted to talk to him.
Instead, I bit my lower lip.
I backed up into the apartment and shut the door.
I shook my head.
I had nothing to apologize for.
At least that’s how I felt at the moment.
Could that change?
Maybe.
But I wanted to be angry.
Plus… Jackson had no business digging in mine or my mother’s personal life.
Right?
I sat behind my desk with folders opened, switching my glance from the paperwork to the computer screen. Back and forth, even though I wasn’t reading or looking at a thing. It was my mind that was working.
Trying to find a logical way to step back and get behind the line that had been crossed.
When I looked at Jackson’s office, my heart raced. Only just a little.
When I saw him, that was a whole other story.
Finally, I put my hands to my desk and stood up.
So what? So what if I like him a little? So what if I like him a lot? So what if I may think I love him? It’s not… real… you know? It’s the progression of what we’re doing. We’re comfortable together. Jackson took it too far. I set the line. Now we work around that line. Simple as that. Is it going to be annoying for a little while? Sure. That’s just what it is. Oh well. Who cares?
A knock at my open office door took away my thoughts.
It was Vince, with a big smile on his face.
“There she is,” he said to me.
“Vince,” I said. “Since when do you walk to this part of the world?”
“Only to see you,” he said and pointed. “How are the numbers looking?”
“They’re terrifying,” I said.
“But…?”
“You know me, Vince.”
“You can never say no to me, right?”
“Not exactly,” I said with a grin. “I’m just doing my job.”
“And your job is to make me happy. I’ll check in a little later. How late are you staying?”
“I’ll be here until I’m done,” I said.
“Good answer, Callie.”
Vince turned and let out a laughing Hey! as Jackson left his office.
“Everything okay?” Jackson’s voice asked.
“Perfect,” Vince said. He grabbed Jackson’s shoulder. “You just keep doing what you’re doing, nephew.”
Vince laughed and walked away.
Jackson approached my office. “What was that about?”
“Work stuff,” I said.
“You sure?”
“Are you calling me a liar, Jackson?”
“No. He just looks way too… happy…”
“Maybe he got laid last night,” I said.
“That’s something I never want to think about. Ever.”
“You brought it up.”
“You’re the one… never mind.” Jackson shook his head. “You okay?”
“I’m fine, why?”
He took a few steps. “I want to talk about yesterday, Callie.”
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
“Yes, there is. You’re pissed. You’re acting the way it used to be between us.”
“Is that wrong?” I asked.
Put on your winter coats, people, the ice bitch is here to stay.
Jackson slipped his hands into his pockets. “Wow. You really don’t like being called out, do you?”
“I have a lot of work to do,” I said. “I’ll be here really late tonight too.”
“So I can go home alone? You’re gently telling me to fuck off?”
“Glad you can take a hint,” I said.
Misha appeared to save the day.
I hurried to point to her. “Jackson, I have to talk to Misha. If you’ll excuse us. It’s work time now. Got it?”
Jackson’s face slightly began to twist, he was livid. Ready to explode. He didn’t like being cut off or told what to do, and he did not like me overpowering him. He also didn’t like that I was mad at him. He wanted me to be happy near him. He wanted me to be fake, bubbly… and naked.
Well, Jackson, guess what? You lose.
“Morning, Misha,” Jackson said.
“Jackson,” she said.
He walked out of the office.
“Shut the door and lock it,” I said to Misha.
She did as told.
“So… that was tense,” she said.
“What was?” I asked.
“Seriously? You and Jackson? It’s usually hot, sexual tension. That was rough. What happened?”
“Nothing,” I said.
“Oh, okay. I get it. When you needed me as a friend, I was there. Now I’m just reduced back to your assistant?”
“Well, you woke up on the bitch side of the bed today, didn’t you?”
“Don’t mess with me, Callie.”
I took a deep breath. I sighed. “Fine. Things got a little