Page 28 of My Ex's Best Friend

This seems to catch her off-guard.

Keeping my eyes on her, I slide the client file across my desk toward Kiera. "Here's your first assignment."

She takes the file, her fingers tracing the embossed letters on the cover.

“The deal needs to be closed before we fly to France. I want you to handle it, start to finish."

Kiera looks up at me, her expression unreadable.

“The client's requirements are outlined in the file. I need you to understand their needs and deal with them accordingly. If everything goes well, he can become one of our most lucrative clients.”

“Got it.” Kiera

nods and heads toward the door.

The click of the closing door echoes in the quiet office. I sigh and my body sags a bit.

I sit down and try to focus for the rest of my workday but it’s impossible.

It's her first case, and I expected questions and clarifications – the usual onboarding process to ensure she’s on the right track. Yet, the office remains eerily quiet.

A few hours pass without hearing from her.

How’s she doing?

When I can’t stand it anymore, I leave my office and go to Kiera's desk, scanning the surrounding area for any sign of her.

The office is abuzz with activity, but her absence is conspicuous.

As I approach her desk, I find it strangely neat, as if untouched. The lack of any signs of her working on the assignment sends a ripple of concern through me.

Where is she?

After roaming through several rooms in the office, I finally find Kiera in an empty conference room, surrounded by scattered papers and her laptop open as she diligently takes notes.

"Kiera?"

She looks up, a hint of embarrassment crossing her features as she takes in the mess around her.

"Oh, Jake. I, uh, I’m sorry. I can leave if you want." She starts hastily gathering some of the scattered papers.

"No, please stay. I was just wondering if you need any help." I step into the room. “What are you doing in here?”

"At the museum, this was my go-to method. I guess old habits die hard." She smiles but it’s a sheepish smile.

I chuckle. "Kiera, I don't care where you work, as long as you get it done. So, where are we on the client case?"

“I've been going through the details and drafting a proposal.”

"I noticed you haven't come in to ask any questions."

Kiera hesitates for a moment before nodding. "I've got it under control.”

I raise an eyebrow. "Are you sure? It's a challenging case, and I want to make sure you have all the information you need."

Her response is a polite smile. “I’ve got it.”

Kiera seems determined to tackle the task independently, but I lower myself to the floor, sitting down next to her.

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