Eloise

"You doing alright there?" Charity's voice barely registers over the sounds of the ovens humming and the race of thoughts rushing through my head.

I didn't tell her about Jake. After she ditched me pretty early in at the club, I told her I went home alone soon after. Not a complete lie, not really.

If I'd told her that I did get a little action at the club, she would've screeched at me through the entire weekend. She'd want to know who had his hand between my legs and would've killed me after finding out it was the guy who got us here.

Groaning under my breath, I nod my head. Piping bag in hand, it thumps against the counter as I pause in the swirling motion of each cupcake.

Jake must regret what we've done. Normally, he's one of the first people waiting for a freshly baked good. That, or he's giving me some space. Giving me time to figure out what I want.

No offense to the guy, but he doesn't seem to be the type to settle down. I'm not the sort to have a one night stand without regretting my decisions the next day.

Does it even matter what I want?

He's one of the top three in this business. He can get whatever he possibly wants, whomever he wants.

After spending so much money to get me here, I doubt he'd be willing to risk a loss in case something goes wrong and one of us ends up burned.

"I may have made a mistake," I admit once I feel her stare continuously pointed in my direction. "I have not been completely honest with you."

Preparing myself with a deep breath, I tell her everything starting from the moment Jake found me all alone at the bar. The feelings, the sensations, everything. Throwing up the words, I feel a pound of relief rolling off my body from getting it off my chest.

Charity is gleaming, not responding the way I expected her to. After all, I'm risking her fate as well. If I go under, so does she. Like a teenager ready to gossip, she frees her hands and coasts across the room to get a better look at me.

"I knew something was up. A whole weekend of silence? Come on now." Peeling off her gloves, she gives my shoulders a much-needed squeeze. "People fool around all the time. It's completely normal. If you think Jake isn't panicking about you looking into the HR department of this place, then you shouldn't be worrying so much either."

She's right. While I'm not entirely sure I could go to the HR department, not that I'd want to. I'm the one who lost control and essentially attacked the guy on the dancefloor.

"Plus, you're on training duty today. You don't want our new hire seeing their boss breaking down on their first shift." Pulling away, she moves to wash her hands. "We need all the help we can get when it comes to these customers."

Nodding along with her words, I put an effort into putting Jake at the back of my mind. The job comes first, just as it always has.

The new hire, Claire, takes hardly much time to learn how to run up front. She's needed to handle the line of customers while Charity and I work to send all the goods out. Today, I keep close to her side in case any issues or problems come up.

Unfortunately, no day is perfect. When lunchtime rolls around and I spot Nicolas coming straight in my direction, I know I'm going to have to make room for more stress.

After all, it's not right for my heart to lurch up at the sight of him. Especially now that I know he's even higher up the chain than Jake.

I can't allow my old relationship to become even more complicated.

Waiting in line while gaining the attention of his peers, he's all smiles. Conversing with them, his eyes remain pointed in my direction for the entire time. The way nothing captures his attention as I do makes it feel like I'm the most important thing in the lobby.

"Eloise?" Claire catches my attention, asking a question about what gluten-free options we have.

Breaking eye contact with the man, I show her the different cookie options. Reeling my focus back in, I wait for the inevitable to happen. With each satisfied customer, Nicolas comes closer and closer.

Close enough that I can hear the rasp of his voice as he speaks business lingo to the man in front of him. Something about reports. I shouldn't be listening.

Is Claire good enough to allow me to escape in the back with Charity? Probably not. That would be like throwing a lamb to a pack of wolves. The way these sugar-craved employees look our way while waiting for their turn, they'd eat this poor woman alive.

After giving Charity an earful about Jake, I hadn't even considered mentioning Nicolas and my history with him.

Knowing her, she'd encourage me to go after both of them. She's shameless, that woman. It's probably a fantasy to be shared by multiple men, she'd give me two thumbs up if it meant experiencing something like that.

"Eloise?" There's that same rasp, the one that makes my toes curl and my stomach flip-flop like a fish on land. Nicolas has reached the front of the line and he's smirking, amused by my current state.

Thinking about being shared has done nothing but make my cheeks flush. Need to stay professional. Have to.

"What can we get you?" Keeping my voice as even as possible, I go as far as to keep eye contact. Big mistake on my part. All it does is remind me of how many times I used to get lost while staring into them when we were younger.

He doesn't bother looking at the display case below, or even at the menu. Yet, his answer is immediate. "A moment to speak to you, alone if possible."

"That…is not on the menu." The words come out and I feel like an idiot when Claire chuckles at my side.

"I'll be alright for a minute or two," she assures, "but I'd stay close just in case."

Bless her heart, but there is nothing good about stepping to the side to talk to this man. Whatever he wants, it can't be good.

Oh god, what if Jake told him about the club? What if Nicolas is the one who has to be the messenger to tell me to not fool around with the guy? I do not want to have a conversation with my ex about another man making me come at the club.

Swallowing thickly, I nod and shift to the side. The shop is long but narrow. Unless I want this new hire to get an earful of this dreaded conversation, I have to take this more out of the bakery. Keeping close enough to be able to hear my name if called, I lead Nicolas to the side.

Crossing my arms over my chest to stop myself from fidgeting, I take in the lobby. It's far more interesting. Well, not really. Unfortunately, it has to be.

"You can relax, this won't take long," he assures. Reading me like a freaking book, a chuckle rumbles through him when my body deflates. "I came to see if you had any free time coming up."

Now that catches my attention. Jerking to look at him, I take in his relaxed state. "What?"

"I wanted to catch up," he explains with a small shrug. "Now that you're here and we can't exactly avoid each other, I'd like to make sure there isn't any bad blood between us. Possibly over a coffee or something."

Nope. No. Nada. I know trouble when I see it, and his request is overflowing with it.

I'm not harboring any bad thoughts toward this man, quite the opposite. Does Nic need this for himself? Or, what if he simply wants to spend time with me?

"A coffee?" Repeating his words, my brows pinch together. "You think that's a good idea? If you dislike me–"

"I don't," he interrupts before I can finish my sentence. He looks over in the direction of the line growing longer with a new body every minute. "I just want to treat you to one cup of coffee and have a conversation. One that won't be interrupted because someone wants to make a purchase."

"You won't find that here around this time. Not until the weekend, really. That, or after I close shop. With clean-up and everything involved, that wouldn't be until later. I'm sure you're a busy man." With half of the weight of the company on his shoulders, he should be too busy to be talking to the likes of me.

There's always the small shop next to mine. There are a few cushioned seats for those to relax for a few minutes while they drink their cups. However, I doubt that is what Nicolas is looking for. If I have to guess, he's going to want somewhere with a bit more privacy. Somewhere we can talk without risking bumping into someone every few seconds.

"I can clear my schedule. Say the word and I'll make arrangements." So stubborn that he doesn't understand why he shouldn't bother trying to get close to me again, he remains headstrong on taking me out.

I'm no better, hardly rushing to shut down the idea of sitting down and spending a little time with him.

"So, can I borrow a few hours of your time?" He tilts his head and there's no way anyone can tell this man no. He's got a soft gaze, one that makes me fold.

"Sure. I'm sure I can find the time to sit down." A public coffee shop, a place where I won't go thinking anything I shouldn't.

Refusing to hunt this man down to schedule this platonic meeting of ours, I offer up my phone so he can type in his number. Promising that I won't bother him, he almost looks disappointed.

With how crazy I've been feeling lately, I'm adding this moment to all the other hallucinations I'm seeing.

Satisfied that I've agreed to his request, he wishes me a good day and drifts off to do what I assume is to enjoy his lunch. Leaving me standing there feeling silly for this sloosh of happiness creeping into my gut.

Watching him head off, I'm surprised to see who he's meeting up with. A familiar face, but not one I've ever spoken to.

The CEO of the company. Rhett Landersan. If the website I found didn't confirm Nic's position, the relationship with the guy on top sure does. First time seeing him, even from a distance, I have to admit he seems powerful.

Doting a suit and a fresh appearance with his black hair slicked back, he takes a look at his watch.

Nicolas says something to him, the distance making it impossible to tell what is being said. Whatever it is, it's enough to make the CEO look in my direction.

Only for a brief moment, our eyes meet. One small glance is all it takes for my chest to tighten. Weird enough, I can't tell if it's from fear or arousal. Maybe it's his frown that does me in. I don't even want to start thinking about a third problem.

The frown on his lips seems natural. Like his face is simply carved that way. He couldn't possibly dislike someone he doesn't know.

Thankfully, they're on the move quick enough for the eye contact to be broken rather instantly.

I would rather Rhett not know of my existence if it's possible. Doubting he'll ever come into my zone, I assure myself there's no need to start getting worried.

No, I won't be worried. While I'd much rather blend in with the wall and stay unnoticed, I don't want to risk looking weak in front of the guy. First impressions are important to men in their standing, I'm sure.

With the line moving along and the conversations in the lobby growing louder with more people flooding out of the elevators, I make myself more useful. Can't go letting both women fend for themselves.

Twisting around, I plant a smile on my lips and get right back to it.