Page 45 of Kisses and Paperclips

“Never been much for decorating.”

Her smile tightened. “You adjusting okay?”

“To the office? Sure.”

She walked further in, smoothing her skirt before perching on the edge of one of the guest chairs. “And Serena? How are things between the two of you?”

There it was.

“She’s smart. Capable. Seems like she runs a tight ship.”

“That’s it?” Her brow arched. “Because from what I observed during the meeting, there’s tension, and not the productive kind.”

“You invited me here to talk about office politics?”

She didn’t answered right away. She looked at me for a long moment, her expression softening. “No. I asked you to come here because I thought we could reconnect.”

I leaned forward slightly, watching her closely. “Reconnect… or keep tabs?”

That made her blink.

“Because you said you had answers for me. About the past. About why you left. But so far, all you’ve given me is a title and a keycard.”

Her mouth parted like she wanted to protest, but she stopped herself. Her spine straightened, shoulders resetting.

“This transition is complicated, Julien. More than you know.”

“Then help me understand. Why am I really here?”

She exhaled slowly, then leaned in, lowering her voice. “Because I need someone I trust in that office. And right now, I’m not sure Serena’s who she says she is.”

I frowned. “You don’t trust her?”

“I trust her to do the job. But I don’t trust everyone around her. Something’s off. And I need someone who won’t be afraid to look past loyalty and see the truth.”

So that’s what this was. I wasn’t just here to reconnect. I was here to watch. To monitor.

“You want me to spy on her.”

“I want you to observe. Report back if something doesn’t make sense. You’re sharp, Julien. You see things most people don’t.”

I leaned back in my chair, jaw tight. “So that’s why I’m here.”

She stood, smoothing the front of her blazer. “You’re here because you’re a Brooks. Because I need you.”

“And what happens if I find something?”

Her pause told me more than any answer could.

She turned to leave but stopped at the door. “Try to keep it professional with Serena. You’re going to be spending a lot of time together.”

The door closed behind her, and I stared at it for a long moment.

Professional? Sure.

But after last night? After what I saw in her office?

This wasn’t just about business anymore.

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