Page 44 of Anagram

When I look at the clock and see it’s just after three, I realize I haven’t had lunch.

He stands at my door, his shoulder resting against the frame.

“Aw, my very own delivery guy.” I say with a smile as he brings the food over to my desk.

“What I do for you…” He grins smugly. “I didn’t bother calling just in case the lines of communication got crossed again. Thought it would be better to just come here instead; that way, I could surprise you.”

Leaning across the desk I kiss Everett and thank him.

“Watch it, there may be spy cameras set up in here,” Everett says, chuckling.

Asshole. I glare at him as he takes a seat across from me. “That’s not even funny.”

“Eat your food.” He passes me a chicken sandwich and a cup of coffee, then unwraps his.

“Nothing to do today, Mr. Brooks?” I ask jokingly.

“Needed a break from my own four walls, thought I’d sit in yours instead.” He takes a bite of his sandwich and chews before adding, “Plus the decoration is better here.”

“I hope you mean me.”

“Who else?”

I smile at his compliment and we start to eat the rest of our lunch in a comfortable silence. That is until there’s a knock on my office door.

“Come in.”

Margie teeters in on her heels and puts some paperwork down on my desk, then lingers behind Everett. I thanked her but she looks like she has something on her mind.

Margie grinned. “You should’ve said you wanted lunch. I could have gotten it for you. I don’t mind.”

“No. It was my treat, Margie,” Everett cut in.

“Oh, that’s fine.” Her hand settles on Everett’s shoulder, and I have to work at pushing back the jealousy I’m beginning to feel.

I force a smile at Margie, and she smiles back.“That’ll be all, thank you.”

I stare at my assistant until she stops touching Ev and goes back to her own office.

“She was just being helpful, Rae.”

I roll my eyes because. I guess I knew this, but something had been eating at me about her recently and I couldn’t get my head around it.

“Or was that a hint of the green monster I saw itching to get out?” He takes a sip of coffee before adding, “Jealousy isn’t a good look, Rae, or don’t you read Cosmo?”

Instead of answering, I sink my teeth into my sandwich and watch the bastard gloat.

Thirty-Four

Reagan

“Have you ever trusted someone you probably shouldn’t have?” I ask my mom while she’s preparing dinner.

“Many times. Why, is there something wrong?” She stops what she’s doing and looks at me.

“If I said I’m not sure, would it even make sense? Surely I should be able to judge if someone can’t be trusted.”

Mom takes a pot from the stove and places it on the counter before turning back to me. “Reagan, have you ever heard the term ‘a sheep in wolf’s clothing’?”