Chapter 14

Iwalked into the building, feeling off. There was a heavy feeling low in my gut. I didn't like it. This thing with Isadora was throwing me off my game. She had me all twisted up inside. I didn't know how to sort through all of it. All night I had wrestled with the idea of chasing her and walking away.

Spencer was already at our usual table. I pulled out my chair and sat down. He slid me my cup of coffee.

"Morning, Graham," Spencer greeted me with a knowing grin. "So, spill the beans. Did you finally make a move on Isadora?"

I sighed inwardly, bracing myself for the inevitable interrogation. "Spencer, I'm a gentleman," I replied, evading the question with practiced ease. "But let's just say that whatever may or may not have happened, it's not something that will be repeating itself."

Spencer raised an eyebrow. "Hmm, we'll see about that," he said, but thankfully, he didn't press the issue any further. Instead, he changed the subject, steering the conversation to the trip to Boston.

As we sipped our coffee and discussed the details of the meeting with the client, I tried to stay focused. Unfortunately, as usual, I was distracted. I kept looking for Isadora. Last night I had a horrible dream she quit and disappeared. I couldn't lose her again. Not without a proper goodbye.

"Are you really not going to tell me what happened between the two of you?" Spencer asked.

I sighed and sipped my coffee. "Did you call the hotel and cancel my reservation?"

He shook his head. "No. Why?"

"I convinced her to go with me with the promise it would be strictly business," I said. "Then we get there and there's only one room available."

He looked shocked. "That was not me. I did not do that."

"She thinks I set her up," I said with another long sigh.

"As if you would book your own rooms? That's crazy. So what happened?"

"We took the room. I slept on the pullout, which by the way, those things have not gotten any better."

"You did not sleep on the couch." He laughed.

"I did."

He grimaced. "Really?"

"Yeah, really. It wasn't great."

"Damn, you really pissed her off," he said.

"No shit."

I looked up and saw Isadora. Her usual graceful stride conveyed a purpose I found both captivating and unnerving. She was dressed in a tight skirt and a blue blouse that I just knew would make her eyes look even bluer. She glanced our way but didn't come to the table. As she passed by, I raised my coffee cup in a silent greeting. She offered a polite nod before she continued to the counter of the coffee shop.

I watched her, knowing she was about to get a surprise. The coffee girl looked at me. I nodded to let her know that was the woman I had ordered the coffee for earlier. I had suspected Isadora wouldn't want to sit down with us, but that didn't mean I couldn't buy her a coffee.

When her order was ready, she turned to acknowledge me with a knowing look. I smiled in return. She walked toward us and I thought maybe she was going to sit down. "Good morning, Graham, Spencer." She nodded. "Thanks for the coffee. I'll see you in the office."

She walked away with her typical proud way and never once looked back. It was the epitome of the cold shoulder. It was so hard to feel that coldness from her when I knew how hot she could be.

"Ouch," Spencer remarked with a smirk. "I think I just got frostbite."

"Very funny, Spencer," I shot back, my mood souring even more.

Spencer gave another chuckle before he reached for the newspaper that had been left on the table by the previous occupant. The silence of him reading and me brooding was occasionally interrupted by the hum of morning conversations around us.

I drained the rest of my coffee, already thinking of getting another cup. My thoughts were still on Isadora—her cold greeting, her refusal to join us, the wall that she'd built overnight. It was unsettling and frustrating. I knew I had a lot to make up for but I never imagined it would be this challenging.

Before I could rise to get another coffee, Spencer put the paper down and looked straight at me. "So, what's your plan now?" he asked with a hint of seriousness that was uncharacteristic of him.

"I don't know," I admitted, rubbing my jaw with frustration. "I messed things up pretty bad."

"But you care for her," Spencer stated matter-of-factly, not asking but asserting. It was irritating how well he knew me.

I grumbled under my breath before replying, "Yes, I do care for her. I did care for her. It's confusing. Maybe because we never got a proper goodbye. The last time we saw each other, it was with the promise to see each other tomorrow. And then almost fifteen years later, we're back in each other's lives. I don't know if it's old feelings, new feelings, or just lust."

He chuckled. "Guess you're going to have to figure it out."

We tossed our empty cups in the trash and headed upstairs. Before he went toward his office, he shot me a stupid grin. "Good luck."

"Thanks."

I went to my desk and sat down. Tension in the office was never good. It was worse when it was between my assistant and me. I was counting on her to keep my life straight. Isadora had already proven to be very capable and I didn't want to lose her as my assistant. That meant we had to work through this thing.

I needed to make it clear there would never be another stolen kiss. I was putting all of that behind us. She wanted to do her job and I understood that. I needed to apologize and mean it. If she didn't want anything to do with me, which I knew was bullshit, but if that was what she wanted to believe, so be it. I was not going to touch her again.

In the back of my mind I was hoping the ultimatum would perhaps stir something within her—anger or an admission. Anything that meant I wasn't alone in this torment. I would be thrilled if she had an epiphany and declared she did have feelings for me and wanted to take me right there on my desk. Obviously, I wouldn't allow that to happen in the middle of a workday, but it wouldn't be the worst thing to get the offer.

I picked up my phone and hit the button to directly connect me to her office. "Isadora," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Yes?"

"Can I see you in my office please?"

"I'll be right there."

"Thank you."

I hung up and waited. The best way to start the conversation was to just get right out and say it. She knocked on the door before walking in. "You needed something?"

"Yes." I nodded. "Please have a seat."

She sat down, crossing her legs with her hands in her lap as she looked directly at me. The woman had an uncanny knack for always looking serene, like she was made of steel and saw and heard nothing.

"Isadora, I wanted to talk to you," I began, choosing my words carefully. "I don't want what happened between us to affect our working relationship or our friendship, if that's something we still have."

She nodded, her expression guarded but receptive. "I agree," she replied softly. "I appreciate you not pushing me on this. I prefer to keep my professional and personal life separate."

"That's exactly what I wanted to say," I said, feeling slightly deflated. I had wanted a different reaction from her. A spark of hope that she didn't mean those words. Instead, there was only the cool professionalism that I had come to associate with Isadora since she'd returned.

She simply offered me a smile in return, one that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm glad we're on the same page then. Is there anything else you need?"

We moved on to discussing the plans for the week, falling into a comfortable rhythm as we hashed out the details of upcoming projects. Our work relationship seemed to slide back to normal as if the shared stolen kiss was a mere figment of my imagination. She was efficient and organized. Half the time it felt like she was reading my mind. She knew what I needed before I even realized it.

Just when I felt like we were hitting our stride, my phone buzzed. I put the intercom on. "Yes?" I asked.

"Mr. Russell, Ms. Darby is here to see you," Mandy, the receptionist's voice echoed through the room. "She said she's not expected, but she'd like to see you. Do you have time?"

I felt like I was caught. Busted. I looked at Isadora, who was busy tapping out something on her tablet. Anita's timing couldn't be worse. I hadn't seen her since that regrettable night, and I wasn't sure what to expect.

"Yes," I answered. Either I faced her now or faced her later. "Give me five minutes."

"I think I have everything I need," Isadora said. "Unless you have something else for me, I'll get started."

"Thank you," I said and followed her to the door.

"I've rescheduled your meeting from yesterday to one o'clock today," she reminded me.

"Thank you."

She opened the door and Anita stood there waiting. My stomach dropped. Isadora moved to the side just as Anita stepped closer.

"Graham," Anita purred. She reached out and touched my arm in a way that felt uncomfortably intimate. I was acutely aware of Isadora's lingering gaze as Anita's hand slid down my arm to take my hand. Pulling away discreetly, I attempted to maintain a professional demeanor, but the damage had already been done.

"Anita," I greeted her tersely, gesturing for her to take a seat.

Isadora looked at me, but her face was unreadable. "Enjoy your meeting," she said with just the right amount of disgust. "Call me if you need anything… sir." She walked away without looking back.

I closed my office door with an inward groan and turned to face Anita. "What brings you here?"

She flashed me a sultry smile. "Just thought I'd drop by and see how my favorite businessman is doing," she replied coyly.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, knowing all too well the real reason for her visit. Anita had always been one to play games, and I had fallen victim to her manipulations once before. I couldn't afford to let history repeat itself.

Anita's smile widened as she observed my guarded expression, clearly enjoying the discomfort she was causing. She leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs slowly as if to draw out the tension in the room.

"Come on, Graham," she purred, her voice silky smooth. "Don't be so serious. Can't a woman visit an old friend without it being seen as suspicious?"

I didn't want to make an enemy of Anita. What had happened between us was a mistake, but we were friends before. We should be able to still be friends. "Of course not," I said and sat down behind my desk again. "I've just got a lot of work."

"Because you're the best marketing man in the city." She grinned.

"Thank you," I said, smiling. "Did you need anything else? I don't mean to rush you, but I have a scheduled call in a few minutes."

She got up and leaned across my desk, flashing a healthy amount of cleavage. "I do need something, but I don't think we have the time for it. Call me later?"

"I'll try," I said without committing.