Sweet Addiction: A Meet/Cute Romantic Comedy

Chapter 54

We stop by the bakery on the way to his office. The men who are in charge of replacing the window are just finishing up and have me sign a few pieces of paper before they give it a final wipe down and leave. Joey and I both watch the security guys go over how to arm and disarm the system, giving us both the code and a few forms to sign as well before they too hit the road. My mom sent me a text informing me that my father has purchased a door with an insane amount of locks and he will be stopping by later on today to install it. I won't have to stick around, because other than Joey and myself, my parents also have a key to the bakery. So, after piling back into the Civic, we finish the short drive to the Walker & Associates building.

"How nervous are you right now?" he asks me as I sit in the car, and trying to find out where the fuck all my bravery has disappeared to. We've been parked outside the building for at least ten minutes and I haven't budged.

"Uh, a lot. Maybe this is a bad idea?"

"Fuck that." My seatbelt is unbuckled for me as he reaches across my body and opens my door, giving me a quick, but gentle, shove out of the car. "Go do it, Dylan. That man in there loves you fiercely. It's written all over his beautiful face. But I'm afraid you might be the one to have to say it first. Damn it, I had my money on Reese being the one to crack before you did, but oh, well." I quickly run my fingers through my hair and give him a weak smile. I'm certain he means what he says, no doubt a small wager having gone on between him and Juls. She'll never let him hear the end of losing to this one.

"Okay, thanks, Joey." He winks at me as I close the door and walk into the building and toward the back of the lobby where the elevators are lined up. My hands are clenched into fists and I'm shaking a bit, but I'm here and I'm fucking doing this.

Stepping off the elevators and onto the twelfth floor, I walk straight past the first reception area and toward Reese's office. I haven't even thought about the fact that I'll be seeing a new face sitting behind his reception desk until I see it. And it is a lot manlier.

"Good afternoon. How may I help you?" The young man, dressed sharply in a dark suit greets me with a crooked smile. His dark brown hair is slicked to the side with some sort of product. Hmm. I like him already.

"Hello. I was wondering if Mr. Carroll is available."

"Oh, actually he is in Mr. Thomas' office right now with a few more associates having lunch. Would you like me to call him?" He reaches for his phone but I shoot my hand up to halt him.

"Oh, no, that's okay. I know where Mr. Thomas' office is."

He gives me a warm smile and places the phone back down. "Wonderful. Well, go right on and knock since his receptionist is out at lunch. Have a nice day."

"Thanks, you too."

Man, he is cheery. I can't help but giggle at the fact that Reese hired a man to be his receptionist instead of a woman. I walk quickly toward Ian's office, seeing the door already a few inches open, and go to knock when my favorite voice halts me.

"She's fucking psychotic. I've never had a girl go that nuts on me after I tell her I'm done fucking her," he says through a partially full mouth. The man does love to talk with his mouth full. I smile slightly and shake my head.

"Yeah, well, I'm pretty sure most women you stop fucking usually flip out on you in some way or another. But that's really fucked up that she targeted Dylan like that." I recognize Ian's voice and cross my arms over my chest, leaning against the wall as I listen in. "She obviously hasn't had the pleasure of seeing Dylan's pissed off side. Pretty dumb move on her part."

A third voice chimes in that I'm not familiar with. "Who is this Dylan chick anyway? She hot?" Ahhh, yes, so glad I arrived here at this exact moment. Nothing like a little ego boost to brighten a Monday.

I hear chip bags ruffle. "Hot doesn't even begin to describe her. She's fucking beautiful," Reese answers and I bite my lip.

"He met her at Mr. Walter's daughter's wedding a few weekends ago. She's Juls' best friend and one hell of a baker. She owns Dylan's Sweet Tooth on Fayette. That's the store that got the brick thrown through the window," Ian says through a mouthful.

"Shit. So, you like this girl or is she just another one of the many women that Reese Carroll destroys in his path?" The third voice asks and I brace myself. Jesus Christ, that sounds horrible. Although, I can totally see how it applies. He is a force of nature.

Silence fills the room, several long seconds of silence. I hear a few throats clear and then his voice.

"It's not serious if that's what you're asking me. You know I don't do that shit. I like fucking her, so I do."

My mouth and my heart drop at the same time as I hear Ian's voice say something in response to his description of our situation, but I don't register it. Instead, I run quickly for the elevators and slip in the first one that opens.