Page 46 of Exchange of Heart

Corey’s organised desktop came in handy as I clicked open the files for his report due tomorrow. I was confident I’d have it on his father’s desk before lunch today. The challenge to broaden my abilities in this position was glitter on eyeshadow. Both were fine, but it was that little extra something that made me sparkle. With the opportunity to put some of my learned skills into practice I thrummed in anticipation with each beat of my heart. The bad blood between Corey and his father would end with me once he noticed ‘Corey’s’ dedication and commitment to this role. They both possessed too much pride to reconcile whatever caused so much hatred, but lucky for them, conflict resolutions were my specialty. My father may have severed all connections with me, but Corey still had a chance to maintain a relationship with his. They only needed to communicate better.

Yes. That’s it.

Corey’s reputation would be restored and admired, starting with this report. My brows scrunched as I ran the numbers again. That’s twice now they weren’t adding properly, which meant it was unlikely I was wrong, and likely that accounts made a mistake. I grinned as I slid my finger down the phone list until I reached accounts and dialled the #7 extension, eager to show my kindness through the problem.

‘This is Angie,’ chirped a happy voice.

‘Hey, Angie. It’s Corey. I went over the figures you sent me for the end of month report and they’re not quite adding up. Have you got a sec?’

The phone was so silent that I checked the small screen to make sure we hadn’t been disconnected.

‘Angie?’

‘Sorry. I’m here. I’m surprised, that’s all. You’ve never called me before.’

Bloody hell, Corey.

‘I’ll go over the figures again and get them to you as soon as possible,’ she assured me.

I hated that I was a man giving her instruction. It went against every instinct my mum had built through childhood, but this was a workplace and I needed to be professional.

‘Thanks, Angie. Don’t stress over it, but the sooner the better would be great so I can tick the report off.’

‘Okay?’ her voice made it sound like a question.

‘Bye, Angie,’ my happy voice rivalled her chirpy greeting by the end of our conversation.

That wasn’t so bad. It was all about preparing, checking, and delegating. Not to mention picking up the damn phone and communicating with colleagues.

While I waited for the account figures to come back, I studied the framed certificates on the wall opposite his desk.

Master of Business Information and Logistics Management

Invisible hands wrapped around my throat, and I closed my eyes wishing I could turn back time to the moment I had decided Corey wasn’t qualified for his position. Not only decided, declared. I’d thrown careless words around without an ounce of support, going entirely off what I’d conjured in my mind. My gaze shifted to the next black frame on the wall.

Bachelor of Economics

The hands around my throat tightened. My single Diploma of Financial Planning was entirely insignificant in comparison, and I’d been harping on about how equal we were. I moved to the window to gaze at the glorious view his degrees awarded him with. The water beneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge glistened, and sunlight warmed my skin. His reflection stared back at me, and I turned my head side to side, admiring his defined jaw and the thick lashes that framed his grey eyes. Heat spread across my cheeks, and the beginnings of a smile tugged at my lips. My hand rested against his cheekbones, and I tilted my head to appreciate his nose. I’d been drowning in such hatred towards him; I’d failed to notice just how devastatingly attractive his features were to go with his Muay Thai muscles.

‘Are you checking yourself out?’ Paddy stopped in the doorway, baffled by my interest in my reflection.

The heat from my cheeks swept across my face until I was as red as the fresh cherries I couldn’t afford. My hand dropped from my cheek, and I turned back to my desk.

‘No. Don’t be ridiculous; I was enjoying the view.’ I busied myself with Corey’s emails.

‘What is it with you and that view? Is it the lure of freedom you’re captivated by?’

Freedom? What on earth was he talking about? Corey had enough money to do anything. Not only was he filthy rich, but he was also – sadly – extremely qualified and absurdly attractive. He ticked every box anyone could want in life! Although, he had mentioned it hadn’t come easily for him, and I knew I’d have to push him for a better explanation because nothing was adding up.

Paddy frowned at my silence, so I crossed my arms over my chest and conjured one of Corey’s frustrated faces to pretend I didn’t have time to be his chummy best friend right now. The same look he’d used when I’d suggested spending an additional week learning tax offsets last month.

‘I’ve got a report due this afternoon, did you need to tell me something?’ I asked.

‘Oh, right.’ He tossed me a packet. ‘Here’s the painkillers, and I wanted to let you know that the meeting tomorrow is with a company called Dreyton Marketing.’

My lips tingled and my head dizzied. Blood drained from my face like a sand timer, leaving me pale and verging on death. It made sense. Dreyton had grown drastically over the last few years making them due to upgrade their insurance policy. This must be karma throwing me a bone, I was sure of it. It would provide me with the opportunity to prove myself to Corey, and this meeting would be easy now that I knew everything possible about the client. That is, assuming I could balance a fair deal considering I’d be gunning for both companies.

‘Thanks for that.’ My head bounced a nod of dismissal to Paddy.