The Billionaire’s Betrothed(31)

For once, my stomach actually growled slightly, reminding me that I had only coffee for breakfast. Perhaps it was all the concentration of the morning that awakened my tummy. I stared over the ready-made sandwiches, finally choosing a still warm grilled cheese.

I used to eat grilled cheese sandwiches all the time. It was one of the only things I could cook, if you called that cooking.

“$3.04.” The lunch lady yawned, sighing as I dug through my purse for a few extra pennies.

“Here ya go.” A woman said from beside me, handing me a nickel and smiling, “I always forget to bring the change too.”

“Oh, thank you.” I said, almost laughing, gathering up the sandwich.

“You’re the new girl, right?” She asked, trailing after me as she paid for her yogurt, “On the third floor?”

I nodded, “Today’s my first day. I haven’t made a great impression though, I don’t think.” I tried to laugh, uncomfortable with the woman’s wide and easy smile.

“I’ll guess Tess is training you then.” She sighed, rolling her eyes, “She gets off on making everyone else as miserable as she is.”

I shifted my gaze away, trying to decide where amongst the strangers I would find a seat. I felt like I was back in high school again.

“You can just eat at your desk.” The woman said quietly, “That’s why I did for the first month that I was here. It gets easier after that.”

“Oh, really? Tessa made it sound as though I had to stay here for my lunch break.” I said, frowning.

The woman’s brow creased slightly as she shook her head, “Nope.”

“She said I would miss my lunch slot…” I continued slowly, watching as the woman softly chuckled.

“Nope. The kitchen’s open for breakfast through late lunch. They close at three, I think.” She added, glancing at her watch, “Maybe that’s what she meant?”

Or maybe she was just messing with me. It didn’t seem as though it would be out of character for the bitter secretary.

“Okay.” I said, shrugging, “Well thanks.”

“Sheridan.” The woman added, “My name’s Sheridan. I work in finance, find me if you need anything.”

“I will.” I murmured, saying goodbye as I turned to walk back down the hall.

What kind of game was Tessa playing at? Telling me that we had designated lunch times. What a strange thing to lie about.

With a shake of my head, I decided not to worry about it. All that I wanted was to just settle down with those files and get right back into the swing of things. I wanted to work my fingers to the bone so that when I returned to my apartment that evening. I would be so exhausted I could do nothing but curl up in bed and go right to sleep.

I nodded firmly, peeling back the tinfoil wrapping of my sandwich as I took a generous bite of the soft white bread. It certainly wasn’t the best grilled cheese I’d ever tasted, but it was just gooey enough to make me sigh with pleasure.

By the time I reached Tessa’s desk, the black haired beauty was nowhere to be seen. In fact, most of the hall was empty. It appeared as though everyone else was either at lunch or taking a break.

That was just fine with me though, the quiet and solitude would be nice.

I glanced up and down the hall, shaking my head as I walked up to the closed office door.

Tugging it open, the first thing to cross my mind was how my files were getting crumpled on the floor where I had left them, the two pairs of feet tramping all over them.

I really shouldn’t have left them laying on the floor as I did, but then again, I wasn’t expecting anyone else to occupy the tiny office.

The final thought that crossed my mind was the wonderment at the angle to which Tessa was bent over backwards across her office chair, Jake Roma attacking her neck with his mouth, her legs tangled around him.

I suppose a chair would fit rather comfortably, after all.





Chapter Five





“You saw Tessa and…Jake?” Eric sputtered, staring at me incredulously from behind the rim of his beer glass, “Jake and Tessa are canoodling?”

I nodded sagely, choosing to ignore that a grown man used the term ‘canoodling’ as I consulted the lime depths of my margarita, “No doubt about it.”

“And did they see you?” He asked, leaning back in his chair, big brown eyes wide with awe.

Again, I nodded, “Tessa did, at least, but she certainly didn’t care.”

I could still see Tessa’s grin as she smirked at me. She was proud that I saw her, she’d wanted nothing more than to rub her relationship in my face for whatever reason. I’d had what, a single conversation with her lover? I honestly wasn’t sure if Jake had seen me, I got out of there as quickly as I could.