Page 76 of Fourth Point Of Contact

After the way things were with Patrick, it was hard to believe I had even loved James. “I think I made up how great he was in my head. I mean, even you told me you didn’t like him that much.”

“Yeah, but that’s just because he’s my boss. I have no idea what it’s like in the bedroom, and it’s not my place to judge.”

I remembered how heated it was with Patrick every single time I slept with him. There was no denying that the chemistry between us was hot, and nothing I ever had with James came close to that.

“Well, it doesn’t matter now. It’s over with him. Now I have to start over.”

“Do you know what you want to do?”

“I highly doubt I should go back into the secretarial pool. Somehow, I think James already spread the word, and if he hasn’t, he wouldn’t give me a glowing reference.”

“You may be right. You were always too good for that job, anyway. Maybe you should go into a different industry. Maybe try your luck at a dentist’s office or something.”

I hated the idea of working at the dentist. I didn’t like going to get my teeth cleaned, so being at one every day sounded dreadful. “I guess I could apply. But I need to work out my ID and everything else first. I doubt anyone will hire me if I can’t even prove who I am.”

“Well, I’ll help you in any way you need. I may be pissed about my shoes, but we’re still friends.”

“Thank you. And I really am sorry about the shoes. I really did try to save them.”

She rolled her eyes at me as she walked away. I wasn’t sure how I was going to make her believe me, but I’d have to find a way. Otherwise, this could really tear our friendship apart.

I went on several interviews,trying to find something that I qualified for, but also liked. It was slim pickings to start, but each day, I trudged out in search of a job. It didn’t help that I had no ID yet. I’d yet to find any of my important documents, and I knew the fastest way around that was to confront the man I despised more than anything in the world.

The last thing I wanted was to walk back into his building and see the happy look on his face when I crawled back to him for my things. Or worse, the pitying looks on the faces of everyone in the office. Then again, they might think this was exactly what I deserved.

Steeling my spine, I smiled at the man behind the desk in the lobby. “I need to see James Johnson.”

“Just one moment.” He picked up the phone and called upstairs. His eyes flashed to mine as someone spoke. I heard him give my name, though I hadn’t said a word. Obviously, they knew me. I’d worked here long enough, and it was no shock to anyone that I had been dating the boss. Everyone knew.

“You can go on up,” the man said, handing over a guest pass. “He’ll see you right away.”

My mouth dropped open in shock and I took the pass, hanging the lanyard around my neck as I headed to the elevator. Why had he let me up? Did he have the police waiting for me?After my last run-in with the police, I wasn’t exactly thrilled at seeing the inside of a jail cell again.

Butterflies took flight in my stomach as the elevator climbed to his floor. Instead of the excitement that I had always felt when I entered the building, now, I was only filled with dread. I was going to need a stiff drink by the time this was over. All too soon, the elevator opened and I stepped out onto his floor. The secretary pursed her lips at me, jerking her head for me to go back as she finished up a phone call.

Dread filled the pit of my stomach with each step I took. I wasn’t ready to see him again, nor did I want to find out why he was so willing to see me. But I was here and I had a mission to complete.

My mind instantly went to Patrick, wondering what he was doing and if he was okay. A flash of him kissing me in the back of the limo came to the forefront of my mind, but I instantly pushed it back. Now was not the time to think about him or his sexy body.

I was just about to knock on James’s door when it opened and the man himself stood there, shooting me a charming smile that I had not expected.

“Piper,” he crooned, stepping into my space and planting a kiss on my cheek, lingering just a tad too long.

I was so shocked that I just stood there, wondering what the hell was going on, but he must have taken it as a good sign because he wrapped his arm around my back and guided me into his office as if we were still together.

“I was so glad when I heard you were downstairs.”

He turned and slipped his hand in mine, giving me a little squeeze as he stared at me adoringly.

“You…were?” I asked, confused as hell. What was going on?

He sighed heavily, and then his knuckles brushed against my cheek in a loving gesture that had my eyes widening in confusion. What was happening? Was I in an alternate universe?

“Darling, I missed you so much.”

Again…What. The. Fuck. “Um…” I turned my head to the door and then back again. I had walked through that door and entered a parallel universe. That was the only explanation for what was happening.

“I’m sorry. Are you talking to me?”

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