Page 27 of Imperial: The Corvidae Family
Emir: Not a chance in hell. You’re my new favorite distraction. Be easy, beautiful.
Like always I fucking smiled because his attention had me giddy as hell and that was dangerous, but I couldn’t do anything about it.
Work was still hectic,but after Emir’s unexpected yet appreciated food delivery, I pushed through the rest of my day without overthinking it.
Mostly.
Now, a few hours later, I was sliding into a booth across from Rachelle, who already sat stirring a drink with her straw, giving me a knowing look.
“I need that,” I muttered and pointed before setting my bag beside me.
“Rough day?”
“You have no idea.”
I signaled the waiter and ordered a strawberry margarita, needing something strong. Rachelle was already a drink in and had a lazy smile on her face.
“You wanna tell me what’s got you looking like you’re having a personal crisis?”
“I do not look like I’m having a personal crisis.” I touched the screen of my phone again to see if I had any messages.
“Baylyn, you’ve checked that damn thing three times in the last thirty seconds. Either you’re waiting on life-changing news or you’re spiraling.”
Or wondering if my new obsession was still out shooting people or just ignoring me…
I sighed, leaning back against the seat. “Neither.”
Rachelle narrowed her eyes, but before she could push more, my drink arrived. I lifted my glass hoping it would help me erase the fact that I was crushing on a killer.A very sexy, very demanding killer.
“Fine,” she said, setting her glass down. “We’ll start easy. How was work?”
I shrugged. “Busy. You know how it is. Too many events, not enough time, and somehow people still expect miracles which I deliver because I’m the shit.” I flashed a cocky smile and she laughed.
“Girl yes. I had a client tell me that they ‘loved’ my proposal but wanted to change literally every part of it. Like… what the fuck?” Rachelle was an interior designer who, like me, worked under one of the greats but was hoping to branch out one day and have her own thing.
“So basically, they didn’t love it.”
“Exactly. I need people to stop being fucking annoying.”
I grinned, finally relaxing. This was exactly what I needed to take my mind off him, but of course, Rachelle decided to ruin it.
“Now, tell me what’s really up with you.”
I sighed. “Nothing.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You hesitated.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Don’t try me friend. I’m the Baylyn whisperer. You hesitated and that means you’re lying. The audacity…”
I grinned, finishing my drink. “I’m not lying. I’m just avoiding.”
“Oh, so there is something to avoid?”
Damn it.
“It’s nothing serious.”
