Page 20 of Break Me Not

“Not trouble, just… an annoyance.”

And then, without another word, she left me.

“I knew you didn’t like blueberry, so I got your lemon loaf instead.”

Liz looked at the lemon loaf in my hand with narrowed eyes. It was early, but she didn’t have a single hair out of place.

“It's seven in the morning.”

“A little early for you, isn't it? I’m pretty sure you don't open the gallery until nine⁠—”

“How did you know I’d be here?” she asked, this time directing her glare at me. “And how’d you know I don’t like blueberry?”

“A hunch.”

I reached out with my other hand, which was holding a hot soy milk latte.

The street was mostly empty this early in the morning, though soon the area would be filled with people on their way to work.

In reality, I already had a security team set up around her, and they let me know when she was leaving her apartment. She might have told me she wasn't in any trouble, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

And as for the treats, I found out she would often have her assistant buy for her from the coffee shop down the street.

It wasn’t stalking… Per se. I just had my team check her habits so we could better protect her. That was all. The knowledge about our preferences just happened to… slip in there.

Sorry not sorry.

She walked past my offerings and walked toward the door of the gallery, opening it with a key that she kept separate from her house and car keys. It had a little fluffy character on it that I couldn't make out from my vantage point.

Liz didn't turn back as she walked in and straight to her office. I followed her, only stopping to shift the lemon loaf and coffee in my grasp so I could lock the door behind us.

“Jen’s coming soon, so don't lock it,” she called out.

I couldn't help but smile at her antics. A few moments later, I saw her assistant walk up the sidewalk. She froze when she saw me.

“Morning,” I said with a smile. “I'm installing your security system today.”

“Oh.” She let out an awkward chuckle.

“Jen, you can continue with the inventory and then prep for the show!” Liz ordered and Jen immediately jumped into action.

“Got it!” Just as she was about to leave toward the back of the gallery, she turned to me, looking at the stuff in my hands. “We keep food away from the art. Make sure it's in her office or the break room.”

Her voice was a small whisper, not to be overheard by Liz, and I gave her a grateful smile, even knowing that if I ever damaged anything in here, I would not only pay for it but also whatever penalty they deemed necessary.

“Of course.”

Jen went about her business, and I found myself walking toward Liz’s office still feeling charged from the day before.

“Come in,” she said.

When I lingered by the door, she held her hand out without looking at me. Taking a few steps forward, I placed the coffee in her hand. Still not looking at me, she took a sip and hummed when she found it was to her liking.

Satisfaction warmed my chest, so I slid the lemon loaf to her.

“May I sit?”

She looked up at me. Today, she had a white highlight near the corners of her eyes that made them pop and only a bit of blush and mascara. Her hair was in a half-up, half-down style, and she wore a simple cardigan and black pants that flared at the end.