Page 35 of Forever After All

"Yep." I nod glancing at her without turning my head.

"Iknewit. That man has got it bad for you." She gives me a proud look—one I can’t help smiling at.

"He really doesn't, we're just friends. He was in the right place at the right time," I try to lie.

"Oh, I bet he was." She smirks at me from her side of the desk, and I can't help but return a similar look.

"Tell meeverything." Brenna bounces in her seat, awaiting more information.

"Maybe we can get a drink after work? Too many ears listening." I gesture around our very big, open foyer.

"Sure thing, babe." She nods at me and quickly turns back to professional mode.

"Good morning, Calder Marketing, Brenna speaking," she answers the phone again as I pull my phone out from my bag and start typing a message under the desk.

Me: Are you fucking kidding me, Carter?

The little dots appear immediately.

Carter: I never kid.

Carter: Wait, about what?

Me: A meeting with Anna? Really?

Carter: I didn't realise I needed your permission to attend a meeting, Alice.

Me: You don't.

Me: It would have been nice to know.

Carter: How else was I supposed to see you when you'd rather work for twelve days straight?

Me:I probably won't be here when you come in later, I've got some stuff to do in the offices upstairs, good luck in your meeting.

Carter: You'd better be there. Make sure you are.

My breath hitches a little at the demand.

Me: Like I said, I've got some stuff to do in the offices upstairs.

Carter: See you later, Alice.

I put my phone back into my bag, answer a few calls, schedule a few meetings, and before I know it it's time for lunch.

"I'm upstairs this afternoon, Brenna. There’s some stuff I need to take care of for this charity event. It's why I was here all weekend. I said I'd help with some planning. I'll be back down around four, then maybe we can go for that drink?" I ask my colleague.

"Not hanging around to see your beau, then?" she asks playfully.

"One, he is not my beau, and two, I am actively avoiding him today." I try to sound serious, but I fail.

"I definitely won't tell him where you're working this afternoon then." She winks at me.

"I'm serious, Brenna," I say, trying once more.

"So am I." She drums the desk a few times with her nails as I disappear behind the doors.

Desperate to pee, I head to the closest restroom. I look at my outfit in the mirror, red dress that clings to my boobs and my hips, some black flat pumps, and a little white cardigan. I braided my hair in a waterfall braid this morning and pulled some little wisps of hair free around my face to frame it. I re-apply a wash of red lip balm to my lips and push them together a few times to distribute the colour evenly. I’m not a vain woman, but working in this type of environment means that I like to look my best where I can. You’re surrounded by sports professionals most of the time, and when you're not surrounded by them you're surrounded by their agents, so it doesn't hurt to always look professional.

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