Page 38 of Lovesick

Yeah, truly.

I nodded. “Yes, it helped for sure.”

“I’m glad. How about we get lunch together?”

I thought about it for a moment. Maybe it would be good to be around Leann. Though, I liked the idea of eating lunch in my office all by myself. Pursing my lips, I figured it wouldn’t really help me get out of that depression I lived through the past week. So, I smiled at her and said, “Sounds great.”

“Perfect! I’ve been craving tacos for so long. See you at lunch?”

I smiled again and nodded once. “See you then,” I said, then started toward my office. While my door was closed, his was halfway open. I didn’t want to look inside, but my eyes immediately found him sitting in his chair. He was facing the floor to ceiling windows, looking out over the city. Without having to see his face, I knew he was thinking.

Even with my heels clicking on the floor, he didn’t turn around, and I decided not to bother him. I had things to take care of, and a job to get back into. I needed a few moments to myself too before I could actually communicate with him again.

I pushed open my office door and walked inside, finding my desk as neatly as I had left it. I put the letters down next to my keyboard and sat down, taking in my reflection in the black computer screen before turning it on.

It felt good to be here, and I would make the best out of my first day back after my emotional breakdown. My mind was more focused and clearer, and I was ready to take on whatever tasks waited for me today.

At 9:40, I got up and grabbed a few papers and headed over to Dean’s office. His door was still open, but this time, he was looking at his computer. He looked up when he heard me approach, and I stopped in the doorway with a tight smile on my lips. “Morning. May I hand you a few things?”

He moved to the side and nodded, his smile more sincere than mine. “Of course.” His eyes followed me closely as I stepped toward his desk, and I could see the hope in his eyes. He was glad I was back, but the way he sat there, all relaxed, told me that he wouldn’t pressure me in any way. Just like he had promised he would.

“It’s good to have you back, Emilia. It’s been rough without you around here.” Because, as his assistant, my job was very important. And not many could keep up with his often busy and stressful schedule.

I nodded, my smile growing just slightly.

At least he had always truly appreciated me for one thing.

I handed him a folder without commenting on the other thing he said, needing to keep this interaction professional. “Here’s Thomas’ deposition prep for the Garner case. Thought you might want to look over it since you’ll be in the court room with him for this case.”

He looked at it for a moment before his eyes were back on mine. “Has Thomas gone over this already?”

“Yes. He has asked me to give it to you.” I broke eye contact to hand him the letter. “These are letters from past clients. They were addressed to me which I think was a mistake since they only invited you to dinner.”

He chuckled, taking the envelopes from me, and peeking inside one. “You’d think that hospitals and clinics were capable of sending out letters correctly.”

I didn’t laugh, but I did give him another tight smile. “They came while I was gone so they’re expecting a quick answer.” I didn’t wait for him to respond and kept going. “You’ve got a meeting with the Pritchard clients at ten-thirty, then lunch with Halvorson at one.”

“Got it. Thanks, Emilia.”

I nodded and turned to leave but paused at the door. “I also rescheduled the quarterly review with finance like you asked me to. It’s next Thursday now.”

“Great. I’ll need you to sit through that one with me. Last time, some things got lost in that heated argument Eric started. I don’t want anything to go missing or be misinterpreted this time.”

I pursed my lips, remembering the aftermath of that argument. Nobody talked to each other for at least two days, and once they decided to talk it out, another argument erupted. Dean was angry, and, come to think of it, that was shortly before we started…hooking up.

Because that’s what it was. Just sex. No feelings. No emotions. At least not from him.

“Of course. Anything else?” I asked, although, I didn’t want to do more for him today. I simply wanted to hide in my office and deal with some emails, then later go home and have a Chinese takeout on my couch.

“No, that’s all,” he said, smiling again. “Thank you. And…welcome back.”

His eyes were soft, and I could tell there was more on his mind. He wanted to talk to me for a while longer, but I left without looking back.

This was the arrangement I’d asked for between us. Civil and professional. Emotionally distant, just like he used to be. Now it was my turn to be cold. To show emotions only when I wanted to. And he simply had to accept it.

16

EMILIA

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