Page 21 of Reconciling With the Rival

Nope. My mind isnotgoing there. Not today. Not ever again.

“It’s nice to meet you, Leo. And don’t worry, I won’t let Ella’s stories cloud my judgment of you. That’s not who I am.”

I shoot her a glare, knowing that’s exactly how we operate here. If I hate someone, so does she. If Rae declares someone is an asshole, then they go on my mental list of people to avoid. But Leo doesn't need to know that.

“Wonderful,” he says as his eyes meet mine again. “I’ll be in my office.”

And then he walks out of mine and closes the door behind him.

“Wow. Talk about tension,” Adam says. “I wish I had the confidence he has. God, I think he’s my hero. Did you see how he walked in here?”

“They totally want to fuck each other again,” Rae quips, and I have to hesitate before I throw my stapler at her.

“I’ve never been less horny in my life,” I say as I look at my watch. “And we have a meeting to get to, so let’s go.”

“I have to grab my laptop, so I’ll meet you guys in the conference room,” Adam says before he leaves.

Rae stands and follows, heading back to her office, and I remember I have to grab the devil's spawn for this meeting. He is my shadow, after all.

I knock twice on his door and hear him mumble through it. I let myself in, and I hate that I can see directly into my office from inside of his. He’s able to see me when I’m sitting at my desk because of how our offices are set up.

“Ella, I’m aware we have a meeting. You didn't need to come get me. I’m a big boy; I can handle myself.”

Before I roll my eyes again, I stop myself. “You’re my shadow, Leo. I’m supposed to teach you how the office runs, so that’s what I’m doing.”

“And I appreciate that, but I’m capable of walking a few steps to get to a meeting.”

“You know what, Leo—”

Before I can finish my sentence, he shuts his door and corners me in front of it.

“What, Ella? What insult is going to come out of your mouth this time? Something about my outfit? Or are you going to go right for how annoying you find me?”

Well, it is pretty annoying you’re in my personal space right now.“Careful, Zimmerman. You’re so close to me, I could spit on you and ruin your perfectly styled hair.”

He tilts his head at me, a smirk crossing his face. “Ah, so the hair this time. Got it.”

“It’s not my fault it looks like you smeared gallons of gel on your head. Maybe youshouldtry using spit next time. I think it would look better, less crunchy.”

“Help me out then,” he says, a challenge in his gaze.He’s not serious?

I hold his stare for a few seconds, his chocolate brown eyes staring through my soul as I reach out and grab his tie hanging between us.

And I yank it.

“Let’s go, Zimmerman. We can’t be late.”

And I swear, I hear him laugh under his breath as he grabs his laptop and follows me to the conference room.

7

Dior Sauvage and Pretentiousness

College

I am so fuckingexhausted.

Not only did I stay up all night working on my homework, but as I walk into my internship, it starts raining, and the asshole in front of me doesn't bother to hold the door.

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