“Thank you,” I tell him. “I totally would’ve been late.”
“No problem. I told you I have a meeting as well.”
“Oh!” I say, remembering Olivia’s and my conversation. “Olivia and Nick want to have dinner tonight with us. They have an announcement to make.”
“Sounds good,” Killian replies. He turns off the car and gets out. We start heading toward the building. “Do you know what they’re announcement is? Nick said she’s been a bit off lately.”
I roll my eyes. I probably shouldn’t tell him, but he’ll find out tonight anyway. “Olivia hasn’t told me yet, but she’s pregnant.”
Killian stops in his place. “Really? Well, damn. She must not have told Nick yet, because he would’ve told me.”
“I think she was living in denial for a little while.” I laugh. “Good thing they’re getting married in a few months.”
Killian laughs as well. “They’re going to need a bigger place for their growing football team.” He presses the button for the elevator.
“I put my mom’s house up for sale,” I admit. “I told Olivia I’m moving out as soon as it sells.” The elevator doors open and we get in. I press the button to the floor I need to go to.
The doors close and Killian corners me. “I’m sorry about all the shit I said to you…about you living off Olivia. I didn’t know, Giselle. I really am fucking sorry.” He runs his finger down the side of my face. It’s such a simple yet intimate gesture.
“It’s okay, you were right. I need to stand on my own two feet.” I give him a small smile so he knows I really don’t hold a grudge over what he said.
“Stand on your own two feet?” He eyes me incredulously. “I don’t even know how you stand at all with all that damn weight on your shoulders.”
“I’m handling it,” I tell him. “I’m hoping if I prove myself at work, I’ll get a promotion sooner rather than later. And once I do, it will mean better pay and benefits.” The elevator dings and the doors open. I check and it’s my floor.
“And if you get it, are you going to quit your other job?” he asks as we step off the elevator.
“I would like to say yes, but I have to see how much I’ll be making,” I tell him honestly. “Even if I sell my mom’s house, I’ll still have to pay for another place to live, plus my sister’s school and my student loans.” I sigh. “Thank you for what you did for my mom. I don’t like that you went behind my back, but the truth is, I don’t know what I would’ve done. I got denied the loan.” I open the door to my small office that my boss, Lydia, has given me and have a seat. Killian sits across from me.
“You’re welcome,” he says. I pull my laptop out of my bag and open it up. It makes the sound indicating it’s starting up. I type my password in and pull up my calendar since it has all the details I need for my client who is due to arrive any minute. And that’s when I notice Killian is sitting in my office. With me. I was so focused on our conversation, I didn’t even think about the fact that he didn’t just drop me off. He got out and followed me in.
“Umm…Kill, you’re in my office,” I say dumbly.
Of course he laughs. “I know. I told you I have a meeting.”
“Okay…well, I do too. And…” I click on this morning’s agenda. “Mr. Blake is due to arrive here any second.” Killian nods, and I gasp.
Mr. Blake.
Killian Blake.
Killian is my ten o’clock appointment.
Motherfucker.
“Why are you on my calendar?” I hiss. “This is not the place to play these games.”
“What games?” he says, sounding genuinely confused. “I made an appointment with the receptionist yesterday. She told me you had a last minute cancelation.”
“Kill,” I snap. Then I stand and walk over to the door to close it so nobody hears our conversation.
“What?”
“This is my place of employment. I am trying to establish a career here.” I don’t understand why he’s doing this. “This isn’t A Touch of Class.”
“I know…it’s Fresh Designs.” He nods once. “I’ve decided it’s time to have my condo professionally decorated. I’m tired of the whole bachelor look.”
“You’re serious?” I ask.
“I am.”
“You’re just doing this to find another way to give me money…but I work under Lydia, Kill. I don’t get paid commission.”
“I’m not doing this to give you money.” He grins. “Now, treat me like any other client. Where do we begin?”
I fall into my chair and take a deep breath. This man is encroaching himself in every part of my life. And if I’m honest with myself, I kind of like it.
* * *
“How did you know I was pregnant and I didn’t?” Olivia laughs.