Page 9 of Mr. Almost

“Do you want to get dinner tonight?”

“Sure.”

“If you need, Iris can call and have your place stocked before the end of the day.”

“Thanks for the offer, but Alex went ahead and did that for me,” I say, mentioning my assistant.

“Hey, Mason,” Iris says as she comes into view with Eli.

“Hi, how have you been?” I ask. We both step forward and kiss each other’s cheeks while Eli and Max say hello.

“How do you want to do this?” Max asks.

“You two go in first, then Eli and I will follow. Hopefully, catching everyone off guard,” I tell him.

Max nods and holds out a hand, silently telling Iris to go in first.

She rolls her eyes but does it anyway.

Eli chuckles quietly. “I keep waiting for them to get together.”

“You and me both.” I sigh. “What did Iris say?”

Eli sobers. “We’re going to be here a while. It seems like we need to clean house.”

“And get a forensic accountant,” I mutter.

“Goddammit,” Eli hisses.

I brush by Eli as I hear Iris talk. “Let’s get this over with. I’m going to need a drink when we’re done.”

“You and me both.”

I scan the room as I step inside, and everyone looks our way. My eyes snag on a woman, and I have to do a double take.

Olivia.

I smile as the memories of our night come rushing back. Shit, that was a great night. What was that four, five years ago?

It takes me a moment to register that she doesn’t seem happy to see me, and I frown.

What could she possibly be upset about? She left me.

“Stop staring,” Eli hisses as he elbows me.

I clear my throat and address the room. “Thank you all for coming. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Mason, the CEO of The Williamson Group.”

Eli cuts in and introduces himself and tells them what to expect while we’re here. The entire time, Olivia avoids eye contact, meanwhile I can’t look away as my mind races.

When did she start working here?

Does she like it?

Does she have a boyfriend?

Does she think about that night like I do every year?

Hell, did she start working here because of me?

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