Page 85 of Push

The knock on the office door almost shot her through the ceiling.

Elias had only inched inside before she scampered past him in a blaze of mumbled apologies to hide behind her desk. The knot in my stomach eased when I saw his dark eyebrow arch. He was just as confused.

He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “Is she okay?”

“She’s been on edge all morning. Do you think I scared her?” I leaned back in my chair, tapping my fingers on the armrest, thinking over everything I’d said since arriving. I thought I’d been nice. “Do I have a resting bitch face I don’t know about?”

His dark eyes rounded. “Your face is, um…no.” He cleared his throat. “You Crawfords can appear a little intimidating, but you look very professional. Very, um… lawyer-like?”

I skimmed my fingers along the pinstriped lapel of my new jacket. “It’s the suit, right?” I grinned. “Old school legal. Like a boss.”

“The suitsuitsyou.” His crooked smile didn’t last a full sweep of his eyes around the room. “How’s the office?”

I hummed a happy sigh and spun around on the oversized leather chair. My office was strangely cozy on the otherwise soulless floor, accented with light oak and too many white, fluffy things. Did I need sheepskin-covered seats in front of my desk? Apparently, yes.

It wasn’t the biggest office on the floor. I was wedged in the corner of the building between Marketing and the head of Human Resources, who my brother referred to as “Chief Pain in his Ass” in the email greeting me when I’d logged in. I’d already penciled a note in my diary to chat with Liam about sending emails like that.

I smiled up at Elias. “Everything’s wonderful. Perfect.” Precisely like a design you’d see in a glossy magazine. “Thank you.”

He plucked at the fluff of the sheepskin chair. “Are yousure?” His smile only got tighter.

I sighed. “Eli, you look stressed. Is everything okay with work?”

“Yeah, work’s a breeze. Plugging through the numbers, drowning in spreadsheets and data, I live for that shit. My problem isLiam.”

“What nefarious deed is he up to now?” I laughed. “And why do I get the feeling I’m going to say that phrase alotworking here?”

“Because you’re clever.” He relaxed his hip against the fluffy chair. “Liam’s out pitching to some clients this morning, but that doesn’t mean he’s not carrying on like a mother hen.” He rolled his eyes. “He pretends he doesn’t care you’re here, but then pecks at everyone all morning to remind us how we’resupposedto help you settle in.”

“Such as?”

“Those pillows.” Elias pointed to the couch in the corner. “Not chopped down the middle. That painting.” He pointed to the splotched canvas on the far wall. “Not what he authorized with the designer. Do you need the occupational therapist to come in and make sure your desk is set up ergonomically? Did we remember to offer you a coffee? A muffin? He’s driving me nuts.”

“At least that explains why Cassidy pops in every two minutes to check if I want a coffee.” I shook my head even as I smiled. “And why she’s terrified of me.”

Elias raked a hand through his dark curls. “I’ll talk to Cassidy. I’ll talk tohim, too.” He sighed. “I remind myself Liam’s nagging comes from a place of caring, butseriously—”

There was a cautious knock on the door.

Cassidy poked her head through the gap. “Ms. Sullivan. There’s a delivery for you.” She teetered toward my desk after I waved her in. An oversized bunch of wildflowers was stuffed haphazardly in the water pitcher she clutched for dear life. “My apologies for the vase.” She shuffled a few more steps. “It was the only thing big enough I could find. I’ll be sure to pop out to purchase something more suitable.”

Elias cleared his throat into his fist. “Your husband’s attempting to score some first-day brownie points, huh?”

“Toby has been known to go a little overboard. Flowers. Balloons.” I scrunched my nose. “One time, he sent a singing telegram.” Thank God, not this time.

“Nightmare fuel.” He cringed on my behalf. “Well, I’m escaping before we suffer round two of that. Cassidy. Out.” He leaned over the sheepskin chair, his voice lower when he said, “I’ll take care of thatotherstuffand touch base later?”

“That’d be great.”

I plucked the card out of the green stems and waved it at Elias, smiling at him as he took one last solemn look over his shoulder before shutting the door.

I flipped open the card.

Today’s your new start. You’re an inspiration. I’m so proud of you, beautiful.

I held the card closer, right under my nose, and read the message again.

HadToby sent the flowers?

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