Love was not.
When the final contract issue had been resolved, the Benedettis began gathering their papers.
One of them looked at me.
“Good catch on page 18, Miss Hayes.”
“Thank you.”
Another nodded toward Preston.
“You should listen to her more often.”
Preston’s gaze settled on me.
“I do.”
Two quiet words.
My pulse stumbled.
The Benedettis filed toward the doors.
I began stacking the marked contracts, grateful for something to do with my hands.
Veronica stayed.
Of course she did.
The moment the doors closed behind the last guest, she turned toward Preston.
“That was unnecessary.”
He remained seated.
“What was?”
“Making a spectacle out of me.”
I looked up.
Preston’s expression did not change.
“You told one of my employees she didn’t belong in a meeting after I had specifically placed her there.”
“I was trying to protect the tone of the negotiation.”
“No.
You were trying to embarrass her.”
Veronica crossed her arms.
“This is ridiculous.
She’s been staring at you like a lovesick schoolgirl for months, and suddenly everyone is pretending she’s indispensable because she found one clause in a contract.”
Heat rushed into my face so quickly I felt dizzy.
There it was.
The secret I had protected more carefully than any confidential file on Preston’s desk, thrown into the room like trash.
“Veronica,” I whispered.
She turned on me.
“Oh, don’t look shocked.
Everyone can see it.”
I wanted the floor to open beneath my chair.
I could survive being insulted.
I could survive being underestimated.
I was not sure I could survive Preston hearing the truth from her.
So I stood.
“I’ll finish the notes outside.”
“No,” Preston said.
I stopped.
His voice was quiet.
“Stay.”
Veronica gave a small, triumphant laugh.
“Why? Are you finally going to put the poor thing out of her misery?”
Preston rose.
He was not angry in the loud way some men were angry.
That would have been easier.
Preston became still.
Every motion disappeared from him until all that remained was attention.
He looked at Veronica.
“You told Paige I would never look at her twice.”
My heart stopped.
