He falls first, boss x assistant, roommates.
Cassandra has been working for Ryder Lockhart for years now as his assistant.
It was inevitable that long hours together didn't turn their strictly professional relationship into a trusting friendship.
S...
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I'm exhausted, words barely registering in my brain when my phone rings.
I jolt in my desk and look down at the screen, a frown etching on my forehead.
"Hold on," I say to one of my project managers. I rise from my seat, walk out of the room, and pick up the call. "Hey, dude."
I look out the window into the busy street. People are leaving their offices, rushing home to finally rest. Meanwhile, I have fucking meetings until the end of time. Though it is worth it. Three uninterrupted days with the girl I love is worth an entire week locked in this fucking office.
"Hey," comes the serious tone. I swear this is why my best friend doesn't have girlfriends. His tones are all the same. He's mad? Serious tone. Happy and excited? Detached and dry. Dying? Cold. He missed his best friend? Bored.
You can never read him, even though I've known him for over a decade. This can drive anyone to the edge. Good thing I'm a patient man.
"I'm in the city for a few days and I want you to meet someone."
I scowl at that, rubbing a hand over my face. It's unusual he introduces me to someone but there have been strange occasions in which he thinks I'm a good match to some business partner he meets. "I'm actually seeing someone right now. And I'm very serious about her, Alaric."
"Hold on, you're seeing someone? Why hasn't Evelyn said anything about it?"
"Does my sister love to air all of my life updates to you?" I tease him because I can't picture it. Evie and Alaric are at each other's throats constantly, there's not much space for anything else.
"Evelyn loves to talk," I can only assume he's annoyed by it.
"She does, I bet you're having the time of your life working with her," I joke, though there is some truth behind my words. My sister is excellent. She can drive Alaric crazy with all the sarcastic comments, but at least, work-wise I bet she's doing an impeccable job.
"Peachy."
I smile, shaking my head. "Try not to be an ass to her. She's tough but still. Don't crush her spirit."
"I'm not the one breaking spirits," he growls. "Anyway, what do you mean by serious?" He changes topics so quickly I have to blink.
I feel my heart jumping in my chest just uttering the words out loud. My hands get clammy and my breathing is uneven. "Serious as in I'm not letting that girl go anywhere. I'm marrying her one day."
"Well, shit," he clears his throat.
"Yeah."
"Congrats...on finding the girl. And her actually wanting to be with your ugly ass."
I roll my eyes, amused. "I'll give you a heads up one year before the wedding day so you can clear up the space. God knows you're the busiest fucker I know."
