Page 42 of Wrong Idea

“We never even went out on a date or to the movies,” I whispered. “We never really started.” I wanted to take the words back the moment they slipped past my lips, but I stood my ground.

“You might think that, baby girl, but it’s nowhere close to the truth. And we both know it,” he growled before sealing his lips against mine. Carver’s kiss was demanding and firm yet somehow tender. My body plastered itself to his as we kissed and got lost in the moment that ended all too quickly when he pulled away and walked out of the penthouse room, leaving me wondering what the hell I had done.

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“These are nice.”I smiled tightly as I took a uniform jacket Stan was handing out at an employee meeting

It had been two long days since I woke up in the penthouse room and Carver had walked away from me.He didn’t walk away. He said he was giving you space,a voice in my head reminded me. It felt like he had walked away from me. He hadn’t even texted me once.

Maybe he realized I wasn’t a distraction worth his time?I wondered and sighed.

“Mr. Storm got everyone one of these“—Stan lifted the jacket so everyone in the small conference room could see—“and the new shirts as well.” You could see everyone nodding, obviously impressed by the quality and the fact the new owners cared enough about keeping us warm.

“Everyone have their things?” Stan asked, and everyone nodded. “Good. Now, the Storms have also started a new rewards program for their employees as well as a new benefits package.”

“Shit,” Oli muttered next to me. “Just as I was starting to daydream about leaving this place,” she mumbled. My lips twitched.You and me both,I wanted to say but kept the wordsto myself. If I said it, there would be too many questions. It was bad enough that Stan knew and kept looking at me like he was expecting me to break out into tears at any moment.

“Now, don’t forget, we are hosting a hiring fair at the end of the month in the ball room. Every department will have openings. So, please tell your friends, neighbors, and family. The Storms are looking to hire over a hundred people by summer,” Stan shared before waving everyone by and stepping down and heading towards us. Oli was on my right, and Bertie was on my left.

“These are nice!” Bertie said, feeling the material of the new jackets and uniform polos. “Very soft. They didn’t cheap out this time, that’s for sure.”

“Right.” I smiled.

“I’ll be right back.” Olive patted my shoulder, and Bertie and I watched her hurry over to one of the ski instructors.

“I wonder what that’s about.” Bertie wagged her brows, and I smiled politely.

“I’m not sure. You know Oli.”

“Hmm… I sure do. I know all of you. You know…” Bertie paused as she looked around the room. “I was here when everyone here started at The Crown.”

“You ready to retire?”

“Maybe.” She winked before her eyes turned softer but in a way that was laced with concern. “Stan told me what happened.” My body locked. “Don’t do that. Don’t make that face. A strong breeze, and it will get stuck like that,” Bertie teased gently, leaning in. Her hand took mine. “You okay, honey?” I shrugged because I wasn’t sure what I was.

“I’m… I will be,” I finally answered, and Bertie nodded slowly.

“Of course, you will be. You’re made of strong stuff.”

“Thanks, Bertie. I should probably go get started in the laundry?—“

“You know… something funny happened the other day,” she cut me off, and I had a weird feeling she was going to bring up Carver.

“Oh?”

“Yeah… about a couple of days ago, Stan asked me to go to the offices. He wanted me to make sure the offices were tidy. You know, nothing heavy-duty because he worries like a mother hen, but he wanted me to clear out the trash bins, vacuum, that kind of thing. And you will never believe what I saw?”

“What?”

“Mr. Storm. Your Mr. Storm?—“

“He’s not mine, Bertie,” I too loudly hushed.

“Your Mr. Storm,” Bertie repeated with a Cheshire grin, “all dressed in one of his designer suits! Kneeled down, scrubbing his carpets. Butreallycleaning them. So much I think he might have even broken a sweat. I swear if I had that tik-toky thing everyone has on their phone, I could have gone famous?—“

“Viral,” I corrected

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