Page 83 of Strictly Business

Heat creeps up my neck. “I’m not answering that.”

Jade scoffs. “No need, babe. Your face says it all. But Sophie’s right. There’s no way you’re keeping your emotions out of this for another two months.”

I gulp, realizing they’re both right. I hadn’t let myself think about it, but now I can’t ignore the fact that I’m already starting to blur the lines between what’s real and what isn’t. And I know these feelings will only grow stronger.

“I’ll be fine,” I say, though I don’t sound very convincing. “Can we please move on? Don’t you two have work to do?”

Jade laughs. “Absolutely not. This is way more entertaining.”

My phone buzzes on the desk, saving me from their relentless teasing.

“Shit,” I say, glancing at the screen.

“What is it?” Sophie asks.

“My sister,” I say, scrolling through the flood of texts.

Annie:

Are you seriously going to pretend like these photos are fake?

Attached is an image of me and Nicholas at the gala, his hand on my waist, and me smiling up at him.

Annie:

You’re engaged? I thought you were dating Liam. What the hell is going on, Amara?

I swallow hard, feeling a lump form in my throat. “She and my grandma found out about Nicholas.”

She blinks. “Wait. You hadn’t told them you’re engaged?”

I shake my head, guilt gnawing at me. “No. I couldn’t tell them the truth and I didn’t want to lie, so I just told them it wasn’t real. But my sister saw the photos from the hotel opening.”

Another groan slips from my lips when I see another one of my Annie’s texts. “They want to meet him.”

Jade lets out a laugh, crossing her legs as she sits on the edge of my desk. “Oh, this is going to be so good.”

Before I can spiral any further, the intercom rings.

“Boss wants to see you,” Jade singsongs, her smirk widening.

I roll my eyes and stand, slipping my phone into my pocket.

When I reach Nicholas’s office, I hesitate for a moment before knocking.

“Come in,” his voice calls from inside.

I push the door open and step inside, my heart pounding in my chest. Nicholas is sitting at his desk, his tie slightly loosened, the top button of his shirt undone. He looks up, his dark eyes locking onto mine, and the corners of his mouth tug into a lazy smile.

“Hi,” I say, closing the door behind me. “You wanted to see me?”

He leans back in his chair, his gaze sweeping over me, the corners of his mouth twitching into a grin. “Yes, but now I’m wondering if I can actually be professional with you in here.”

I roll my eyes, trying to ignore the way my pulse kicks into overdrive. “Be serious.”

“I am serious,” he replies, a smirk playing on his lips as he rises from his chair. “Come here.”

As soon as I’m within arm’s reach, his hand shoots out, gripping my wrist and pulling me toward him. Before I can protest, his lips find mine, slow, sweet, unhurried at first… but the kiss deepens quickly as his fingers tangle in my hair, tugging me closer.

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