Page 23 of Everything She Wanted

I’m not settling, though. I found the one, and I won’t let anyone or anything ruin what we have.

8. Kill Me Now

I want to get to work early to prepare for my first meeting with Nick, but I sleep in and barely make it on time. I put my things away and log in quickly, pulling up the presentation I’ve been updating since last week, and I have it at the ready when Jess walks in.

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.” She leans against the wall, looking at me with awe.

“What?” I say, turning back to my screen to double-check everything.

“That you were modelling in the fashion show.”

I push away from my desk as I turn back to look at her. “Oh, that was just a last-minute thing,” I say as if it’s the most common thing in the world.

“And who are these hot guys in your Stories? I need all the details,” she says, staring at her phone, not noticing Nick as he appears at my open door. I wish I could signal her to shut up.

Jess continues. “Like, they are so hot.”

I want to die.

“Hey, Nick. Come on in,” I say instead.

Jess looks around.

“Hi, Nick. Didn’t know you were there.” She smiles sweetly at him.

“Oh, sorry to interrupt. Nisha and I have a meeting, but I can come back.” He’s being professional, but a smirk plays at the corner of his mouth.

“Oh, that’s okay. Nisha can fill me in on her wild weekend later.”

I’m going to kill her.

“But I mean, you just have to look at this, isn’t she so gorgeous?” She shoves her phone in his face.

I could murder her.

His smirk deepens into a smile. “That’s a great photo,” he says kindly.

“We’ll see you later, Jess,” I somehow manage to say without strangling her.

She finally gets the hint and leaves.

“Please, sit,” I manage, even as my face burns.

I try to calm my nerves as I pull out a notebook and pen.

“How was the rest of your Sunday?” he asks.

All my careful planning to remain unaffected by his presence goes out the window, and after Jess going on and on about guys, I just want to hide under my desk for the rest of the day.

I pause for too long. “It was good, thanks. Just relaxed and got ready for the week.” I leave out the fight with Rachel and dinner with Eshaan.

“What about you?”

“Same.”

I doubt his evenings are anything like mine.

“Your sister is so sweet.”