Page 60 of An Eye For Illusion

She sighs. “You still have time, Jade. We’ll figure this out, one way or another.”

Her promise does little to settle the churning in my stomach, that sticky tar that’s tainting everything around me. I spend the rest of the night tossing and turning in bed, unable to stop thinking about all the what ifs and the impending wedding.

But most of all, I can’t stop thinking about the fact that Colin never called.

“Ms. Foster,” Heather says, her tone a bit firmer than normal.

I turn to face her, realizing I’ve been daydreaming and staring out of my office window for far too long. I’m a little embarrassed, and my face heats.

I clear my throat. “Yes, Heather?” I square my shoulders.

This is the exact opposite of the persona I’m supposed to present to her. I’m supposed to be more likable and show her a softer side of myself. It goes against everything I’ve drilled into my own head for so many years.

I relax my posture, attempting to look more approachable. I force a welcoming smile.

“You caught me off guard, daydreaming.” I walk toward her. “What did you need?”

She looks at me like I’ve sprouted a unicorn horn. “Your father was expecting you in his office fifteen minutes ago,” she says with a hesitant smile.

I’ve been so consumed with picking apart every moment of the stake out with Colin, I’d completely forgotten the meeting with Dad.

“Please buzz him, let him know I’m heading up right now.” I slide my laptop into its case and give my desk a once over.

“Yes, ma’am,” she says before turning to leave my office.

“Heather,” I start, taking a deep breath just as she turns back to face me, “I really appreciate your work here…for the company…for me.”

Well, that wasn’t graceful at all.

There’s only a millisecond of awkward silence before Heather speaks. “Thank you, ma’am.”

“I mean it. You’re the best assistant I’ve had. If I’ve been difficult to work for…” I shake my head. “No, not if. I know I’ve been difficult to work for, and I apologize for that.”

She tries her best to remain professional, but her smile reaches her eyes. “Thank you, Ms. Foster. I really appreciate you telling me that.”

I feel my own smile mirroring hers. There, I did it. And her reaction was worth all the alarms going off in my mind to hide and protect myself. She deserves the recognition. She’s put up with me and my attitude without ever saying a snide word or sideways look.

“I should go,” I say, still smiling at the progress she and I made.

Heather holds her chin high and her smile steady as I pass by her, leaving my office to go up to the next floor to my father’s office.

I have a perma-smile as I wait for the elevator. I glance back at Heather’s desk. She’s taken her seat, and there’s still a smirk on her face as well. Who knows, maybe she’ll even like me once she knows I’m not a raging bitch.

My eyes meet the elevator door just as it dings, and the door opens. The face looking back at me is not one I expected or wanted to see.

Elliott.

“Elliott,” I say, surprised and confused.

“Babe,” he says with a grin. “I figured you’d already be in Dad’s office. I’m late.”

My eyes go wide at the word Dad. Why did he call him that? Why is here?

“Me, too,” I say, struggling to find words to string together to make a sentence.

“Well,” he says motioning for me to get into the elevator with him.

I mentally push myself forward, stepping into the elevator beside him. I try to calm myself and school my expression.

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