5. Billie

CHAPTER 5

BILLIE

" O kay. So how's it going?" Monica curls up on my couch and blows on her tea.

It's nine p.m. and Quinn has just gone to sleep. Time to talk about all the juicy stuff.

Except what I have to report isn't very juicy.

I drop my head against the cushions and groan. I've been working for James all week and except for our interaction on my first day, I haven't spoken to him once.

And I still don't know how I'll get his health information. Which is a serious problem.

"Bad," I say. "I thought that once I had my foot in the door, I'd figure out what to do next."

Monica frowns. "You need to figure out a way to get that information, girl. What about his assistant? Maybe you could try and get close to her."

I shake my head. "She's always with him. And even if she wasn't, I don't think she's the type to give away confidential information."

Monica takes a sip of her tea. "What about breaking into his office?"

I sit up straight. "What? No, Monica. That's illegal."

She shrugs. "I'm just trying to brainstorm here. You need to find a way to get that information."

I know she's right. This is Quinn's well-being we're talking about here. I can't afford to waste any more time. But breaking into James's office? That's a line I'm not sure I'm ready to cross.

"What if you just asked him?"

I shake my head. "I tried talking to him in the elevator, and he literally looked at me like I was dog poop he'd stepped in."

Monica sets down her mug and leans forward. "Then maybe it's time to try a different approach. You could try seducing him."

I almost choke on my tea. "What? Are you crazy?"

But as soon as the words leave my mouth, I realize that maybe she's onto something. It's extreme, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

But, really? Am I willing to stoop that low?

"I can't do that," I say, a small part of myself disappointed. Seducing James would have been oddly satisfying…

Except he would never go for me. He made that and so much more clear in the elevator.

"I don't think I'm his type, anyway," I add.

Monica scoffs. "You seriously have no clue how gorgeous you are, do you?"

I roll my eyes at her, but I can't deny that her words give me a small boost of confidence. "Thanks, but I don't think that's the issue here."

"Every man who is straight has a type, and that's female."

I laugh and shake my head, not agreeing at all. Then again, who am I to say?

"Okay," I say slowly. "Let's say I do it. How would I even go about seducing him? It's been so long…"

I trail off. Monica knows about the desert that is my dating life, but it's still embarrassing to talk about.

She leans back in her chair, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Well, first off, you need to figure out his interests. What does he like? What turns him on? Then you need to do some investigating. Find out what he likes to do in his free time, what kind of women he's into."

I nod slowly, feeling like a spy in a movie. "Okay. And then what?"

"Then you work on your appearance," Monica says, looking me up and down. "You already look great, but why not step it up a notch? Get a new outfit, do your hair and makeup differently…"

I swallow nervously. Already, this is feeling like a flimsy plan. I remember what Audrey said my first day on the job, how she reduced me to yet another woman trying to bed the boss.

I don't want to even pretend to be that way. There has to be another way.

Monica takes another sip of her tea before placing it back on the coffee table. "Fine. If you don't want to seduce him, what about blackmail?"

My eyebrows shoot up. "What do I have on him?"

"I don't know, but maybe you could dig around and find something. Everyone has secrets."

I consider her suggestion for a moment, but then shake my head. "I don't want to start something like that. It's too risky."

"Then what do you suggest?" Monica asks, her voice tinged with impatience.

I let out a deep sigh. "I don't know. I'll have to figure something else out."

We sit in silence for a few moments and then it hits me. "What about going through his trash? Maybe I could find a statement from his doctor. If it's itemized, I might have something."

She snaps her fingers. "That's perfect!"

I nod, feeling satisfied — and nervous. If I get caught going through James's office, no doubt I'll be fired. Maybe even have the police called on me.

It's the least immoral of all our ideas, though, so it's the one I'm going with.

Here's keeping my fingers crossed that it actually works.

The next day, I'm sitting at my desk working on the week's project when Audrey bustles up. "Last-minute meeting," she says. "James's office. The whole design team is needed."

I swallow nervously, feeling a knot form in my stomach. This is it. This is my chance to get into his office and search for anything that might help me in my quest to win his heart.

I quickly gather my things and make my way down the hall, my heart pounding in my chest. When I arrive at James's door, I pause for a moment to take a deep breath before knocking lightly.

"Come in," a voice that sounds like it belongs to James's assistant Terri calls out from the other side of the door.

I push the door open and step inside, doing my best to keep my nerves in check. James is sitting behind his desk, his gaze focused on the papers in front of him. The rest of the design team — nearly a dozen people total — are sitting and standing around the room.

A minute passes without James saying anything. He just keeps reading his papers.

I glance around the room. Is this normal?

"When is the meeting starting?" I whisper to David, who's standing next to me.

He just shrugs, looking as confused as I feel.

"Good morning, everyone," James finally says, looking up from his work. "I've called this meeting to discuss plans for the Green Digit project."

He outlines the project goals and the preliminary work that's been done. Despite my nerves, I find myself impressed by his knowledge and attention to detail.

As he speaks, I can't help but steal glances at him. He's dressed in a sharp suit, his dark hair perfectly styled. I wonder if he's noticed my new outfit, my hair styled in loose waves. Probably not.

But then, as if sensing my thoughts, he looks up and catches my eye. For a moment, I freeze, my heart pounding in my chest. But then he looks away and continues with his presentation.

As the meeting goes on, I find myself getting lost in thoughts of him. I imagine what it would be like to be with him, to feel his strong arms around me, to kiss his soft lips.

I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. What the hell is wrong with me?

The man is a jerk! Even if he hadn't abandoned his pregnant ex, I would still think very little of him.

I try to focus on the discussion, but my mind is racing with plans of searching his office for any information I can find.

"So with all of that in mind," James is saying, "let's take a look at the rough design template."

His assistant clicks on the screen on the wall, where the design template appears in a large size.

It's for some new app about plant care, but the design is boring. Flat.

I speak up before I even realize I've opened my mouth.

"I have to say, the graphics aren't great," I say, my eyes locked on James. "It needs more color and some interesting designs to really make it pop."

James turns to look at me, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "Do you have any suggestions on how to improve it, Billie?"

I freeze. He knows my name?

I need to say something, but my tongue feels heavy. The whole room stares at me, and I lick my lips.

"Whenever you're ready." James steeples his fingers and grins, and I want to knock the smirk right off his face.

My heart races, but I pull myself together. This is my moment. If James sees I'm a real asset to this team, then that could be the open door I need.

"I think we could add more greenery to the design, maybe some floral patterns, to really emphasize the plant-care aspect of the app. And we could use brighter colors to make it more eye-catching."

James strokes his chin, considering my suggestion. "That's a good point, Billie. Let's work on incorporating those changes into the design."

Audrey glances at me, her lips turned down. She looks pissed — and maybe a little jealous.

Of what, though? That James like my idea? Or that I have his attention at all?

In fact, now that I notice it, she's not the only one sending me dirty looks.

I feel a rush of relief and triumph. I've made myself useful, and I've gotten a foot in the door. It's the first time James has even spoken to me, and maybe this means he'll even come to trust me and I'll get my chance to be alone in his office.

He goes over a few more points, and everyone listens attentively and takes notes. With the meeting dismissed, I head for the door with everyone else.

"Billie." James's deep voice stops me in my tracks.

I turn around slowly, doing my best to keep my face composed. "Yes?"

As he walks up to me, I can't help but catch a whiff of his cologne. He smells so good. I shake my head, trying to focus.

"Good suggestions today." He studies my face as if seeing me for the first time.

"Thank you, sir," I say, my heart pounding. "I'm glad I could contribute."

James nods, his eyes lingering on me for a moment longer than necessary. "I was wondering if you could come to my office later to discuss the project further. Just the two of us."

My heart leaps in my chest. This is it. This is my chance.

"Of course," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "When would be a good time?"

"How about in an hour?" he suggests. "I have a few things to wrap up, and then I'll be free."

I nod, feeling a smile spread across my face. "I'll be there."

As I walk away, I can feel the eyes of my coworkers on me. Some look jealous, others confused or annoyed. But I don't care. I'm having a one-one-one in James's office, and it doesn't really matter what he has in store for me.

I'm on the path to achieving my goal, and nothing is more important than that.