𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑋𝑜𝑛𝑒

𝑉

Jared's curly head popped up over my cubicle wall, his raised brows and amused expression making it clear he'd been watching me fumble around, trying to get myself together. His curls were unusually shiny and defined that morning, and the casual way he leaned over suggested he was in no rush. I was completely focused on signing into my computer when I finally noticed him.

The shock of seeing him there made me jump, my heart pounding in my chest as if I had something to hide. He laughed at my startled reaction, stepping around the side of my desk to face me directly.

"You okay?" he teased, folding his arms with a smirk. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

I tried to regain my composure, offering a weak smile. "Just... didn't see you there," I muttered, still feeling the aftershocks of the morning and, of course, last night.

"Late start?" he asked, still grinning, clearly enjoying my discomfort.

"You could say that," I replied, not ready to dive into any real explanations.

"I was stood up last night," Jared said, folding his arms across his chest. The fitted button-up he wore accentuated his toned arms, and I couldn't help but notice how effortlessly he carried himself.

"Um, oh," I stammered, the memory of my night with Janet flooding my mind. My mouth gaped wide in surprise. "Jared, I'm so sorry. I was there, I promise, but I left."

He raised one brow, leaning on his hip, and his playful demeanor shifted to one of curiosity. "Why? Were you not feeling well?"

"Yeah, cramps," I said, trying to sound convincing as I held my stomach with an exaggerated wince.

He squinted his eyes at me, clearly not buying my excuse. "Really?"

Before I could respond, the sound of our manager, Craig, echoed through the office, sending us both jumping. "Mariah!" he called out, and the urgency in his voice was enough to send a jolt of nerves through me.

"Oops, that's Craig, and that's my cue to go back to my desk," Jared said, giving me a quick grin before turning away. I watched him walk back to his cubicle, feeling a mix of guilt and excitement swirl in my stomach. I had to shake off the lingering memories of the night before and focus on my work, but it was hard when my mind kept drifting back to Janet.

I stood up from my desk, smoothing out my blouse as I made my way to Craig's office. I could feel a few pairs of eyes on me, the curiosity evident in their gazes. "Hey, Mariah," one of my colleagues called out as I passed, and I waved at the familiar face, pushing a stray lock of hair behind my ear.

As I opened the door to Craig's office, the air shifted; it felt much colder inside, a stark contrast to the bustling warmth of the open office. Craig had adorned his walls with a collection of accolades and framed certificates, a testament to his relentless dedication. It was clear he had no life outside of this business, and his seriousness about work was both admirable and slightly intimidating.

"Mariah, come in," Craig said without looking up from his computer screen. I stepped inside, closing the door behind me. The moment felt heavy, as though I was stepping into a different world where all my personal distractions faded away.

"Good morning, Craig," I replied, trying to sound cheerful despite the whirlwind of thoughts about last night still swirling in my head.

"Morning," he said, finally glancing up, his expression unreadable. "I need to talk to you about the upcoming project. We have a tight deadline, and I want to ensure you're on track."

I nodded, mentally bracing myself for the conversation. "Of course, I'm all set. Just let me know what you need from me." I hoped I could focus enough to make it through without my thoughts wandering back to Janet.