Page 27 of My Ex's Best Friend

I chuckle, attempting to play it off. "No, no, just checking. Thanks, Bea. I’m just super excited for the collaboration to start.”

“I’ll send her into your office as soon as she logs in.”

“That won’t be necessary,” I say. “She’s not reporting to me today.”

“Is everything ok?”

“I’m fine.” I clear my throat. “But thanks for your concern.”

As soon as Bea turns her back to go to back to her desk, I lean back in my chair, and exhale deeply.

Closing my eyes, I try to shake off the lingering chaos that Kiera's presence seems to unleash within me. I didn't expect such a visceral reaction.

Sure, I've thought about her over the years. More than I care to admit.

But this is me we are talking about. I've prided myself on control in the workplace, always remaining professional. Yet, apparently, not when it comes to Kiera.

She made her displeasure at having to work with me abundantly clear. The sharpness of her words, the icy glances—she still hates me. Nothing has changed since the night she walked out on me.

I should have shut her down and set the boundaries firmly in place, but I find myself more frustrated than ever.

What is it about her that unravels me like this?

I could navigate this easily, but Kiera has a way of stirring up emotions I'd rather keep buried.

I take a deep breath, attempting to regain my composure.

“What the fuck, man? Are you a damned teenager? Get a grip,” I mutter.

A small giggle comes from my office door, and my eyes snap open to Kiera standing by the door.

"Talking to yourself? Is that the secret ingredient to being so successful? And here I thought it was your connection to the community."

I sit up so fast I almost knock myself over. Standing up, I clear my throat. "I happen to be very good at what I do as well."

Kiera gives me a crooked eyebrow stare.

"Successful and humble. What a delightful combo." Her tone laced with a mix of sarcasm and tease and something else I can't quite place.

"What are you doing here? You're not due for another fifteen minutes."

“Maybe I’m trying to earn brownie points for getting here ahead of schedule.” She shrugs and smirks.

“Well, you’re on the right track. But the truth is we have a deadline. You have some clients to deal with, and then we’re leaving for France in five days.”

She nods.” Then I better get back to work. I still have a lot to go through."

I nod. "I'm assigning your private client work today. I want to see how you handle it and get a sense of your approach. Consider it a test run."

She raises an eyebrow, a mix of skepticism and determination in her gaze. "A test run for France in five days?"

I nod.

"Ideally, you’d be eased into it. But circumstances demand we fast-track your involvement.”

“Jake, you’re not doing it to set me up to fail, are you?”

“No,” I say, finally looking up at her. “Because I believe in you. Maybe you should have more faith in me.”

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