I couldn’t help but laugh at that. “I don’t think I was a conscious decision.” Leaning forward with my hands parked on the table, I confessed. “The more I think about it, the more I think we might have been drugged. It makes no sense that neither of us remembers anything. Even though I was there to celebrate, I’m not a big drinker.”
Her lips formed a thin line, and she started to tap the tip of her fingernail on the table. “I think so as well. I’ll have someone from my husband’s company looking into it. He’s trying to get the security footage from the hotel. I promise to contact you and Jenner the moment I find anything.” She stood and pushed in her chair. “Would you like to walk out with me? I need to stop by my office before I leave. Do you have everything you need?”
“I need to grab my phone and purse from my office and let Jenner know to come and pick me up. I didn’t know about the meeting until Melanie said I was going to be late.”
Catherine hummed as she walked. “Good to know,” she said quietly, as if it was to herself. “Every Monday at five, we have a meeting to go over clients like we did today. Depending on what’s going on, the meeting can last thirty minutes to two hours. We never know. It’s the only one that’s scheduled every week.”
“Thanks. I wasn’t sure if Melanie was trying to get me fired or what. I’m still not sure with the news of her crush.”
We walked side by side until we reached Catherine’s office, where we split ways so we could gather our things and leave. I was shocked that it was only six o’clock. I had a feeling this wasn’t the norm. As I made my way to my office, which was barely bigger than a cubicle, I noticed Melanie sitting at her desk. She hadn’t mentioned having any problems with a client, so I wasn’t sure why she was still hanging around unless she wanted to see how long Catherine kept me.
Putting my notebook in my drawer, I held my laptop while I grabbed my purse and phone. Since I was unprepared when I found out we were having a meeting and I was going to be late, I hadn’t grabbed it. I had three texts and one missed call from Jenner. I first went to the text messages.
Jenner: What time do you get off work?
Jenner: I called Catherine’s assistant, and she said you were in a meeting, but when it’s over, you can leave.
Jenner: I’m outside waiting in the gray car.
As if I wouldn’t have been able to spot him. When I left my office, I knew I had a bright smile on my face. There was something sweet about Jenner wanting to drive me to and from work. I knew it couldn’t last forever, and eventually, I’d have to take myself to work, so I’d enjoy it while I could.
Catherine came up to me with her own gleaming smile. “Are you that happy your first day at the office is over with?”
“Jenner left me a message saying he’s waiting for me out in the parking lot.” My smile fell when we stepped outside, and I saw Melanie eyeing Jenner, who was leaning up against his car.
“Hey, you’ve got nothing to worry about. Even when he was at his worst, Jenner was never a cheater. He’d never do that, especially after Poppy.”
“I know, but now that I know she wants him,” I shrugged the shoulder without my purse strap on it, “I don’t like it.”
“I have to say I like that you’re possessive over him. It’s exactly what he needs.”
Heat rose up my neck to my ears. It was silly to be embarrassed, but I was since she knew the real truth to our start.
“Don’t think I didn’t notice your big smile when you were walking out,” I countered. “What’s that all about?” Maybe it was wrong to assume we were somewhat friends, but there was something about Catherine that drew me in.
“I’ll be spending a week with my husband, hopefully without any distractions from either of our jobs, in a tropical location drinking fruity cocktails on the beach. What more could a girl ask for?” She sighed dreamily.
“Sounds perfect to me,” I answered honestly because it did sound like perfection. I wondered if Jenner and I would ever go on such a trip. I wanted to believe what we had was real and would last, but only time would tell. “Well, I should let you go so you can start your romantic week with your husband.”
“And I’ll let you go stake your claim on your husband.” She gave me a pat on the shoulder before getting into her car and driving off.
Melanie continued to stand over by a dark blue car with her gaze transfixed on Jenner.
The moment I started walking toward him, Jenner stood straight as a grin tugged at his lips. With each step I took closer to him, my speed picked up. I couldn’t get to him fast enough. When he opened his arms wide, I jumped and let him catch me. Wrapping my arms and legs around his neck and waist, I fused my mouth to his. Loving the way his stubble scratched at my skin, I deepened our kiss.
“Fuck, I missed your beautiful face,” he said as we broke apart. Our breaths still tangled together. With each word he spoke, his mouth brushed against mine, begging me to connect us once more. “To celebrate your first day at work, I’ve already placed a dinner order for us. I thought we could eat on the couch while watching a movie so you can tell me all about your day and decompress.”
Pulling back, I laughed. “Who are you, and what have you done with my Jenner?”
“Mmm,” he hummed. “I like the sound of you calling me yours.”
A loud noise from behind us broke us apart. I slipped down Jenner’s body before I turned to see what had brought us out of our little bubble.
I didn’t see anything or anyone but Melanie at the trunk of her car. She was pretending not to look at us, but every few seconds, I could see her eyes trained on us.
“Have you had sex with her?” It came out without me even giving permission.
The arm that was wrapped around my waist tightened. “Who?”
When I looked up to him, his forehead was creased with his brows drawn down as if he had no idea what I was talking about.
I swung around and pointed to my supervisor. “Melanie. That’s who.”
His gaze followed the path of my outstretched arm. “Her?” He said the one word with so much revulsion in his voice I knew then that Catherine had been right. “Why would you think I’d slept with her?”
“Can we go, and I’ll explain on the way?” I leaned up and kissed his dimpled chin.
With his eyes still trained on Melanie, he nodded once before he broke away and helped me inside the car. The moment he had the car started, and out of the parking lot, he asked. “What happened today at work?”
I let out a bitter laugh. I’d been so excited to go to work until the moment Melanie caught sight of me and shot daggers out of her eyes. “That woman I accused you of sleeping with? She’s my supervisor, and she hates me. I wasn’t sure why until Catherine pulled me aside after our meeting and told me about how Melanie’s had a crush on you since the moment you stepped inside CJJ. Then I find out Catherine, the only person I know at work is going to be gone all week. I have a feeling it’s not going to be good. At one point today, I thought she was trying to get me fired.” I rested the back of my head on the headrest and let out a frustrated sigh.