Willow
I felt more excited about a project than I had in years. I hated that working for the competition had gotten my creative juices flowing, but I couldn’t seem to shut them off. My boss had been receptive to my ideas for the social media plan and suggested I put together a presentation for the founders so we could get the official go-ahead. I’d been beavering away since then. I hadn’t even had much chance to think about how I could take advantage of my access to Ronan’s computer systems like I should have. After four days, Tom was getting impatient. He wanted something to show for my presence here. And telling him that I was having too much fun making a presentation didn’t seem like a valid reason for dropping the ball.
“Hey, girl.”
I glanced up and smiled at Imani, who’d managed to approach without me hearing.
She scanned my work. “This is brilliant. They’re going to love it.” She shifted her weight. “We’re all going to The Castle after work today. Want to come?”
I hesitated. “I don’t know…” The Castle was a popular bar, and I didn’t really want to socialize with anyone who worked here. Things were messy enough. I needed to maintain a clear line in the sand. I was here for Lennox Securities, not to have a good time. Besides, Tom would throw a hissy fit if he found out. “I really shouldn’t. My roommate will be expecting me home for dinner.”
“So call her and say you’ll be late,” Imani urged. “Or invite her. The more the merrier. You deserve to have fun. And hey”—her voice turned sly—“maybe you’ll meet the bodyguard division.” She winked. “They’re hunks, and they don’t spend much time around the office, so you might not get to know them otherwise.”
The mention of hunks conjured an image of Ronan King, all perfectly broad shoulders and sexy angles. I frowned. Perhaps I did need a distraction from him, and after a few drinks, people might say things they otherwise wouldn’t. This could be a good chance to gather information and make up for lost ground.
“Okay, I’ll come.”
“Yes!” She high-fived me. “We leave the office at five thirty. Just stick near me and I’ll introduce you to everyone.”
I forced myself to smile. “That would be great.”
She returned to her desk, and I put the finishing touches on the slide and checked the clock. Time for lunch. I powered off my screen and wandered to the staff kitchen area. I found my food in the fridge and chose an unoccupied table, then sat and pieced together my salad wrap.
“Mind if I join you?”
I raised my eyes. Words of welcome died on my tongue. Ronan stood over me, resplendent in a black suit and elaborately knotted tie.
“If you must.”
He sank into a seat and placed a small cardboard container and a mug of coffee in front of himself. He opened the container to reveal a rice salad. “It’s nice to be able to get down here. I usually eat in my office, but I had a little extra time today.” He grabbed a spoon. “How are you enjoying your job?”
I glanced around. People were staring. I wished he hadn’t come. They might ask questions. And I didn’t want to spend more time with him, no matter how gorgeous he looked. My heart gave a flutter, making a liar of me.
“It’s fine,” I told him. I would not let on how absorbed I’d become in my project. “The plans are coming along well.”
“Good.” His eyes crinkled at the corners. He leaned forward and dropped his voice. “I know I didn’t give you much choice, but I’m glad you’re not hating every second of it.”
I shrugged because I couldn’t think of what to say. Nothing seemed adequate. I took a bite of my wrap instead.
He started on his rice. “Tell me more about yourself.”
My eyes darted around again, but thankfully, most people seemed to have stopped staring. “Why? So you can use it against me?”
His eyes glinted with amusement. “Because I find you interesting, Willow.”
“Oh.” I didn’t know how to respond to that, or to the pleasant buzz his words caused in my lower stomach. “What do you want to know?”
“You studied art in college.” He took a drink of his coffee. “Were you always planning to go into communications and marketing?”
My cheeks heated, and I glanced down. How had he managed to zero in on a sore point? I didn’t want to answer. Not when it would either show me for the spoiled rich girl I used to be or demonstrate what a failure I was. I didn’t want him to see me in either way.
“Willow?” he prompted.
I sighed. “No. I love painting, but I’m not an artistic genius, just moderately good, so I can’t support myself financially with it. When I finished school, I tried for a while, but I floundered. Then Tom needed help and I needed money for rent, so I decided to join the family company.”
His dark brows furrowed. “You needed money? Excuse me for saying this, but I always assumed you were well taken care of.”
“Yes, well, you’d think so, wouldn’t you?” I wasn’t about to explain how Tom had siphoned off the majority of my trust fund while I’d been blissfully oblivious.
His frown deepened. Apparently, he didn’t like getting the brush-off. “Do you have your own place now?”
I inwardly cringed. The fact he hadn’t asked about Dad’s properties probably meant he knew they’d all been sold off.
“I rent an apartment with my best friend.”
“What’s she like?”
I hid a smile. How best to describe Sage? “She’s eccentric, and I absolutely adore her for it. She has the biggest heart of anyone I know.” Was that awareness in his deep brown eyes? Or was I going crazy because I’d dreamed of him looking at me that way so many times before? “Are you coming tonight?” I blurted, immediately regretting it. “To The Castle, I mean. I was told there are after-work drinks.”
Disappointment flashed in his eyes. “The staff find it easier to let loose when the boss isn’t there, so I don’t go to any gatherings unless they’re something we’ve organized as a company.”
“Oh.” Dissatisfaction weighed on me. What was that about? I should be glad he wasn’t coming so I could ask more probing questions. “That makes sense.”
“Be careful tonight.” He looked at me in a way that would have made my teenage self swoon. “I doubt you have much experience with the type of people who go to The Castle.”
“I’ll be surrounded by bodyguards,” I reminded him. “I’m sure I’ll be safe.”
His lips twitched. “Maybe it’s them I’m worried about.”