“Yeah,” I croak, my throat feeling like a thousand razor blades are tearing it apart.
Remy shrugs, his eyes showing his own sadness. “I’m not over it, Ry. I haven’t moved on, and neither has Reed. We want to be here for you, but we don’t know how to help you or how to make things better for you. You won’t talk to us, and until you do we have no idea what’s going on in your head.”
That’s probably the most words he’s ever said to anyone at one time. Maybe they’re right and I am being selfish, but I can’t help the way I feel.
When Remy realizes I’m not going to respond, he sighs, shaking his head and standing. He comes around the desk and lays a hand on my shoulder, giving it a brief squeeze before releasing me. “Just think about what we said, Ryker. You don’t have to go through all of this alone.” I nod in response, and he makes his way toward the door. Just before he leaves, he turns back to give me a small grin. “And I think this assistant is going to be good for you.”
Chapter Five
Ava
My stomach is in knots. I’m wearing my best business suit and a brand new pair of heels, which are already killing my feet. I should’ve listened to Gabby when she told me to wear them grocery shopping or just out and about before having to wear them through an eight-hour work shift.
It also doesn’t help that I’m running ten minutes behind to start my internship at Winston Industries today. I barely snagged the job as an assistant to one of the top men in the company, and here I am fucking late. It’s bad enough they pushed me starting back two weeks. Now they’ll probably just fire me.
Blowing a lock of my blonde hair out of my face, I hustle to the elevator, trying to get there before it closes. I have my purse in my hand and a bunch of papers that a man named Reed told me I needed to bring with me on my first day.
I eye said paperwork as I stand in the stuffy elevator with a bunch of other people headed to the top floor. For the most part, everyone is all smiles, their faces full of happiness as I pass by them. I, on the other hand, am already miserable. My stomach is churning and I feel like I’m on the verge of throwing up, plus my feet ache like hell.
Way to go, Ava. Way to fucking go.
A second later, the elevator chimes, and the door opens onto the floor I need. For a second, as I step over the elevator threshold and onto the office floor, my thoughts slip back to the mystery man I left in that hotel room. Was it really only a few weeks ago? The pleasure he ignited deep inside me is something I haven’t been able recreate, and believe me, I’ve tried.
Still, it’s a little weird to be thinking of that moment as I’m heading into my first day as an intern. I should have googled the company to see who my potential bosses should be, but I’ve been too worried about everything else–like how to pay my bills while waiting for this job to start. I should just be thankful I scored an internship that pays.
Goose bumps cascade across my skin, and a shiver runs through me as I head in the direction of the double glass doors ahead. The office is quiet, with a few people looking over their cubicles at me as I walk down the aisle. The place is very pleasant looking, with big bright windows that let the light stream in, and it’s clean and spacious.
All of those things are nice, but won’t matter if I don’t get my ass to this Reed guy.
Focusing on the frosted glass doors ahead, I march forward, trying to show confidence and determination in each stride. It’s not until I reach the doors that I spot a woman stepping out from behind a desk that I didn’t notice until now.
“Hi there. Welcome to Winston Industries. How can I help you?”
I blink, unable to stop staring at the woman in front of me. She’s breathtakingly gorgeous, with long dark-brown hair and piercing green eyes. Her skin glows and her lips pull up into a smile when she stands to greet me. My eyes rake down her body slowly, and it’s easy