Wish Upon A Sunset

The Ol' Beater

Emma

My office door burst open, startling me from my intense focus on the insurance screen on my computer. I jumped to my feet, my heart in my throat as I looked up to see Dr. Bader stride in, his face flushed with excitement. The sound of the door hitting the wall intensified the moment.

Behind him followed a tall, imposing figure that commanded attention, and when he entered the room, a strong feeling of unease came over me.

"Emma!" Dr. Bader beamed, his voice carrying an unusual lilt of enthusiasm. "I want you to meet our newest team member, Liam!"

My eyes locked onto the newcomer, my breath catching in my throat. Liam, with his handsome appearance, chiseled features, and piercing green eyes, seemed to see right through me. His dark hair was impeccably styled, and he wore a tailored suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and lean frame. He flashed a dazzling smile, extending a hand.

He reminded me a little of Zack.

"It's a pleasure, Emma," Liam purred, his voice smooth as silk.

As our hands met, goosebumps erupted up my arm, making me pull back quicker than I intended. Liam's touch sent a chill down my spine, his grip icy and unyielding.

My mind raced, trying to process the unease slithering through me. There was something about Liam that set my nerves on edge, despite his charm.

Dr. Bader, oblivious to my discomfort, clapped Liam on the shoulder. "Liam's taking over most of Mrs. Bader's responsibilities. To free up some of her time. He comes highly recommended!"

I forced a smile, even as my instincts screamed caution. "Welcome to the team, Liam," I managed, my voice steadier than I expected.

Liam's gaze lingered on my face, then roamed from my hair to my feet and back up again. His smile never wavered, but there was something predatory about the way he looked at me. "I look forward to working closely with you, Emma," he said, his voice low and intimate, as if we were sharing a secret.

I swallowed hard and nodded, not trusting myself to speak further, and tried to ignore the discomfort that prickled at my skin.

As Dr. Bader led Liam away, chattering enthusiastically, I sank back into my chair. My heart performed an erratic drumroll against my ribs, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about our new colleague. I noticed the way Liam moved, his steps calculated and almost too smooth, like a panther stalking its prey. I shivered, rubbing my arms as if to ward off a sudden chill.

Liam glanced back at me just before exiting the room, his eyes meeting mine with an intensity that made my stomach knot. I turned away, pretending to be busy with the papers on my desk, but I could feel his gaze boring into my back until the door closed behind him.

I took a deep breath, shaking my head at myself. Maybe I was just being paranoid, letting my imagination run wild after everything that had been happening recently. The stress from the last few months had me on edge, jumping at shadows and seeing threats where there were none. Even though I felt stronger and more resilient after Logan and I's escapade into that abandoned building, saving his life had been one of the most horrible experiences I had ever gone through. Combined with everything else that had happened since I had come home, my mind could just be in overdrive from the events I had been forced into lately.

Liam was most likely just a confident new hire, nothing more.

I snorted in wry amusement, the sound a slight comfort to my peace of mind, and pushed my doubts aside. I needed to focus on my work, not concoct wild scenarios.

As I finished typing up a report, my coworker, Sarah, walked over and perched on the edge of my desk. "Hey, Emma. How are you holding up?"

I raised my gaze, appreciating the genuine care reflected in Sarah's eyes. "I'm okay, actually. Just really thankful that Michelle's safe."