Page 753 of One More Kiss

Riley

Breathe, Riley, breathe. Everything is going to be just fine. You can do this.

It’s what I keep telling myself, but it still feels like nothing is fine. I should have stayed last night and talked to him, but I was too scared he was going to fire me or kick me off the project. He shouldn’t be able to do that, but let’s be realistic, he could if he wants to. He might not say the real reason out loud, but he could easily find some other one.

Walking into the boardroom for the third day in a row, I’m relieved to see Mark and John are already here and that I won’t be alone with Nicholas. Although that will come later. I need to talk to him, whether or not I want to.

As I take my seat, I pretend not to be affected by the man sitting at the head of the table. He’s commanding, arrogant, and grumpy. I pretend not to suck in a deep breath, enjoying the smell of his cologne.

And I pretend not to feel a flutter deep inside my gut every time I’m near him. Even as scared as I am of hearing what he has to say, I can’t deny the pull I have towards him.

“Morning,” I say, loud and clear this time. After another pep talk from Ross last night, I decided not to be intimidated by him. Or at the very least, not act like it. I put my big girl panties on this morning.

“If you act as though he can run all over you, he will.” Ross is usually right about these things, so I’m taking his word on it.

“Good morning,” Nicholas greets me without glancing my way.

The two other men across the table also greet me, but neither one of them is avoiding eye contact. Matter of fact, they are both gawking at me to the point that I’m wondering if I have something stuck in my teeth or a stain on my dress?

Running my tongue over my teeth, and my hands through my hair, I give myself a once over, but can’t find anything wrong with me.

A moment later, Naomi struts in like she is about to step foot onto the New York fashion week runway. I discreetly glance at my phone to check the time, 7:59 am.

I suppress a frown. I wish she would have been late again. Seeing her being put in her place was more satisfying than I’d like to admit. I barely know her, but I know of her, and I definitely know the kind of woman she is. She reminds me of every girl I hated in school. Self-absorbed, vain, thinks she can get away with everything just because of her looks. Girls like her are the reason I don’t have any girlfriends.

Okay, that’s a lie. I don’t have any friends besides Ross because I was a total nerd in school. My grades were everything to me and I had no time for friends. College was not any different, and once I took the job at Brooks enterprise, my schedule only got busier. Friends became my least priority. In fact, dating, friends, and anything outside of work got pushed onto the back burner.

“You look cute today,” Naomi compliments me.

“Huh?”

“I said you look cute today,” she chirps, flashing me her pearly white teeth with a bright smile. “The dress fits your curves nicely.”

The dress fits your curves nicely?

Why do I feel like this is a backhanded compliment?

Before I can come up with a proper response, Nicholas starts the morning meeting with a list of things he wants worked on and some changes we need to implement.

I listen to every word he says, take down notes, and make the changes in my head. I even give appropriate answers when asked something, which is a good step in the right direction. I’m feeling more like myself with each second that passes.

As the morning progresses, it becomes more and more apparent that Naomi is trying her hardest to flirt with Nicholas. It’s getting to the point of pathetic since he doesn’t show a single sign of being interested.

“I’m talking to Jonathan Berkley right now. He’s agreed to let us hold a fundraiser at his hotel. There, we’re going to announce the hospital and get as many donors as possible on board. The event is not set yet, but I’ve already picked a dress, you’re gonna love it,” she squeals, her voice making my ears bleed.

I suppress a gag.

Nicholas doesn’t answer, but that doesn’t stop her from continuing. “It has a bit of a low cut up front. If I’m not careful, a boob or two might slip out.” She giggles.

“Like they are now?”

My brain doesn’t realize I said that out loud until everybody in the room stops what they are doing to stare at me.

Shit.

John and Mike are simply staring at me, wide-eyed, while Naomi is shooting daggers at me through her eyeballs. I glance at Nicholas, who has the faintest grin tugging at the corner of his lips.

“At least I have a nice pair of tits,” Naomi sneers, and grabs her purse. “I have a lunch date with a potential donor.”

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