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Chapter Two: Stafford, Present Day
The lift doors pinged, offering a second's notice that someone was about to walk into the office. Not that it mattered. Only one person had the balls to bypass the intercom system and let themselves in.
"I never should have given you the override code," I said to Ian, not looking up from my laptop.
"You're just saying that because the only time I use the code is when I know you wouldn't let me in."
"Exactly," I said through gritted teeth, glancing up at him.
I wasn't in the mood for visitors. I had a financial report to review and a recruitment fuck-up to wrap my head around. Both required intense concentration. Both required me to come up with a solution on how to move forwards.
"It's hard to tell whether you're pissed off or just being your usual stone-cold self, so I'm going to cut to the chase," Ian said, settling down in the chair opposite.
Humouring the conversation was usually the best way to get Ian off my back, so I shut the laptop lid and sank back in my seat, folding my arms. Taking that as a signal to continue, Ian launched straight into it.
"Imogen's the should-I-shouldn't-I girl, isn't she?"
I narrowed my eyes at him. "Pretty sure I've solved that predicament now."
"Shit." Ian released a long breath, leaning forwards and resting his hands on the desk. He trained his gaze on mine, as if expecting me to expand further.
"I don't want to talk about it, Ian."
It wasn't a hint; it was a clear statement that left no room for misinterpretation. Yet Ian ploughed ahead regardless.
"Have you still not spoken to her since you got back from Greece?"
"I sent her a message this morning. She didn't reply."
"Is that why you're so pissed off? Because she didn't reply?"
I tried to keep my frustration at bay. It wasn't Ian's fault that I'd found myself in this position. He did a fantastic job of taking the main brunt of my emotions in the workplace, but this extended beyond business.
"Of course not. She told me she was starting a new job at a publishing company. Last time I checked, we deal with furniture, not books."
"And I'm sure you were totally honest with her."
"Are you here to lecture me, Ian? Because I have a shit ton of work to do."
Ian sighed, his gaze softening. "No. I'm not. And I'm not here as a colleague either, Jason. I'm here as a friend. You need to talk to her. It's not fair on either of you to pretend nothing's happened, and you owe it to the company not to let this come in the way of business."
