Page 127 of Money Reigns

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I don’t mean to.

But I do.

I step just far enough out of my office to watch her knock on Warren’s door. Hear his deep voice invite her in.

She smiles.

And shuts the door behind her.

Panic hits like a slap.

I freeze.

Do I interrupt? Knock? Pretend I didn’t see it?

I glance toward my desk. My laptop is still open to his shared calendar, the one I manage for him. The one I check every morning before I pour my own coffee.

No meetings today.

No woman listed.

Which means she’spersonal.

Not business.

My stomach knots. The bouquet suddenly feels stupid.

I sit down. Hard. Try to focus. Try to breathe.

His door is still closed.

I keep it in my periphery. The hallway is quiet.

My clock ticks.

Five minutes.

Ten.

Fifteen.

Maybe she’s a lawyer.

Maybe this is about the Parker Building.

Maybe she’s married. Maybe she’s a cousin. A PR rep. A—

Shut up, Olivia.

Twenty minutes.

I get up. Pace once.

Sit down.

Stand again.

Twenty-five.

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