Layers(83)

“Go ahead, Missy. I will take care of the bill.”

“I love you to the sky and back.” I hug her tight.

~~~

“Miss Grace, nice to see you again.”

“Hayley, Anne. Call me Hayley.” Will she ever get it? “Is he in?” I ask Daniel’s PA at the entrance to his office.

“Yes. He’s with people, but it’s nothing too important.” She pauses, then adds, “In any case, I have an open instruction to pass all your calls or let you in regardless of who’s with him.”

My instant grin could not be wider.

I knock on the door to hear Daniel’s annoyed voice reaching me through it.

“Yes.”

I open the door, somewhat hesitantly.

Meeting my eyes, his light up. “Hales.” A smile grows on his lips.

“Come in.” He rises as I approach him to welcome me with a kiss and a hug.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb, I just came to say hello.” I apologize to the guy sitting across the desk from Daniel’s chair. He shakes his head gesturing ‘no worries’.

“Wait, Hales, we’re almost done.”

“So just send me the complete plan and I’ll review it later on.” At Daniel’s words the guy stands to leave and with Daniel’s nod he does.

“No ‘thank you’?”

“That’s what the salary is for,” he replies, flatly. “This is a nice surprise.” He hugs me harder this time, and starts kissing my neck.

“Not that kind of visit,” I say, not giving it a chance to escalate, and giggle at his immediate fallen expression. “I need to get back to the office; I have a very busy day. Just had lunch with Tash and needed a Daniel fix.” I say, and am gifted with a heart-wobbling smile.

“Fix yourself out.” He pulls me closer, his hand on my butt.

His phone beeps and he answers with the speaker. “Anne,” he snaps.

Bet he pays her a lot, otherwise why would she tolerate him?

“Chris is here to see you,” she says.

Daniel sighs. “Let him in.”

When I try to move aside Daniel doesn’t let go of me. “It doesn’t mean you need to go anywhere.” He kisses my hair.

A tall chubby guy wearing an oversized polo and khakis enters the room, taken aback as he sees me.

“Mr. Stark, just a few moments.”

As he is about to sit down Daniel utters dryly, “A few moments isn’t enough to get comfortable.”

The guy looks completely ill at ease and remains standing. Inwardly I shake my head.

“Shock me,” Daniel says in a dull voice.

“There is progress with the program’s stability, but we still can’t have a full run cycle without a crash.”

Daniel heaves out a long sigh. His jaw starts working under his skin.

“Is it the décor in the room that makes people feel welcomed to piss me off?” he murmurs to himself. “Get everybody in here in thirty,” he says firmly, rubbing his hand over the side of his face. Without waiting for further instruction, Chris nods and leaves the room.

“Troubles?” I question.

“More than I can tolerate.” He answers crossly.

“Well, I’ll let you be. I also have work to do.”

“You are coming tonight.” Daniel states rather than asks.

Knowing how annoyed he is I just let it go. “Okay, I’ll see you tonight.” I hug his neck and press a lingering kiss on his lips. He cooperates quickly, seeming relaxed again.

“I should have you by my side twenty-four seven,” he says and adds, “You are my little blue pill.”

I am not sure if he does have a little blue pill or whether it is just a metaphor, but a pill like that might come in handy here and there.

“Glad to be. Love you.”

“Love you too, Hales.” He breathes, pecks my head and lets me go.





Chapter 33: The Stark Truth


“Gorgeous.” Ian’s familiar grin brightens my cubicle. He’s standing by the entrance with Josh. I inch up to hug him over my desk; Josh is all smiles, even more than usual.

“Let’s go, Ian. We have the interview and the focus group next.” Ian nods and follows him.

“Good luck,” I call after him and he sends me a quick, cocky wink.

Starting to work on my tasks, I get an upsetting call from the editor’s assistant accusing me of not sending a job on time, which gnaws at me as, unfortunately, she’s absolutely right. Fuck. I just hope this’ll go down okay with Josh, I hate the thought of disappointing him. A message from Tasha helps fuel my irritation.

Tasha: Hell is starting.

How bad?

Tasha: Snaps, workload and frowns … just peachy.

Hang in there. You did the right thing.

Asshole. Perhaps Daniel should fire him. I play with the appealing thought.

Through my sheer concentration a few hours pass in the blink of an eye. I pause and head to the kitchen for some water and a needed stretch. Surprised to find Josh and Ian, both with plastic cups in hand, looking far cozier than an interviewer and an interviewee would or should be.

“Hey.” I say, higher than my natural voice, observing them both closely, trying to read the undercurrent I sense going on.