Page 38 of Business Casual

I glanced over my shoulder as she looked between us suspiciously.

“Sorry to interrupt,” she said with a slight bite in her tone that felt pointed.

Quickly, I turned back toward my bag and started pulling out my paperwork.

“All of the banks are confirmed for this afternoon. The board will be here for lunch. And your father would like for you to give him a call before your morning meeting.”

“Thank you, Josephine.”

“You’re welcome.” She paused. “Ms. Jones, would you like a coffee or tea?”

I gulped. “No, thank you.” Shuffling my papers around, I glanced over my shoulder. “I’ll just grab a water before my presentation.”

“Very well.”

When she left, I let out a sigh. With my palms flat on the table, and my head bowed down, I squeezed my eyes shut. Even if Tre was in denial about what was going on, I knew Josephine knew. I knew deep in my gut that she didn’t buy whatever bullshit story he’d concocted as our cover. And while I didn’t care that she knew, I cared if she told Mr. Franklin. I cared if it affected my job. I cared if it affected Tre’s job. And I hated that my livelihood and reputation were at risk for something that I’d only gotten to enjoy for one night.

If Mr. Franklin comes back in two weeks, that’s probably all the time I have to either make my mark or convince Josephine not to snitch.

A chill ran down my spine when Tre’s hand rested on the center of my back.

“You okay?” he asked, his voice low.

I opened my mouth to tell him what was on my mind, but I snapped it shut. My focus needed to be on my presentation.

I swallowed hard. “Yeah,I’m okay.”

“Look at me,” he demanded gently.

I turned my face to his, but the intensity of his gaze was too much. I dropped my chin to my chest again so I wouldn’t lose focus.

Hooking his forefinger under my chin, he lifted my head. With his fingertips dancing over my skin, he moved a little closer. “Talk to me.”

“I can’t.”

“What do you mean?”

“I know you don’t want to think that Josephine knows, but she does,” I whispered.

His fingertips stroked my jawline. “She’s loyal to my father. If she knew anything, she would’ve said something to him. And he would’ve said something to me. And he would’ve made a point to be here for this presentation if he thought my judgment was compromised.”

His touch stoked the yearning my body felt in his presence.

“Tre,” I whispered. “I can tell by the way that she’s looked at me all morning.”

“I don’t want you to be paranoid about anything, but I’m telling you, we’re good. There’s no way Josephine knows anything because my father would’ve called.”

I pouted. “If she hasn’t already, she’s going to tell your father and it’ll be bad for the both of us.”

There was nothing but adoration in his eyes as he searched mine. “I don’t think she knows, and you think she does. We’re just going to have to agree to disagree”—he cupped my face— “because right now, the only thing I want you thinking about is your presentation. That’s the only thing that matters right now.”

My eyes dipped to his lips as I leaned into his words and his hands. “Yeah,” I agreed breathily.

His tongue ran from one corner of his mouth to the other. “Yeah.”

I’d never wanted to kiss someone as bad as I wanted to kiss him in that moment. Just as I was about to lean forward, he took a couple steps back.

“It’s hard for me to think straight when you’re so close,” he explained, adjusting himself before he took his seat.

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