Page 126 of Money Reigns
“Don’t miss me too much,” he murmurs, already walking backward into his office.
I roll my eyes and turn toward mine.
I barely make it two steps in before I see them.
Peonies.
A full, lush bouquet sitting on my desk, blushing pinks and creams like the inside of a love letter. My breath catches.
I walk to them slowly, fingers grazing the soft petals before I spot the card tucked inside.
Scrawled in dark, slanted handwriting.
For the woman who makes my walls worth rebuilding.
We’ll add soundproofing to the bedroom.
—W.
I sit down hard, heart in my throat, and chuckle.
He’s infuriatingly good at making me blush.
My lips curve before I can stop them. I press the card to my chest for a second too long, then set it down and open my laptop.
There’s work to do.
The Parker Building is finally under renovation, and our new hotel chain,Beaumont Luxe, is moving from dream to blueprint. I spend hours sorting through floorplans, confirming room redesigns, checking on contractors, and linen vendors, and digital keys.
I get so deep in the numbers I forget where I am, until the knock comes.
Three soft taps.
My heart leaps.
Warren.
I smile, already halfway to standing, when the door opens—
And it’s not him.
It’s aher.
Tall. Thin. Blonde. The kind of blonde that glints almost white under the office lights. Her body is lean, sculpted, perfect. The kind of perfect that doesn’t happen by accident.
She smiles politely, though it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “Sorry, I was told this was Warren Beaumont’s office. Reception must’ve gotten it wrong.”
My stomach drops.
Her voice is smooth. Confident. The kind of voice that doesn’t apologize much.
I force a smile I don’t feel. “His office is the next one over.”
She thanks me, teeth flashing, then turns and walks down the hall, heels clicking sharp against the tile.
Something ugly twists in my chest.
I follow her.
