Page 84 of See You Maybe
His emotional whiplash was killing her. “All I care about is protecting the company I’ve built. There won’t be a problem with us.”
“Good.” He shoved his shirt sleeves back down and reached for his suit jacket. Without another word, he strode away to the parking lot.
Olivia sank onto the picnic table, tears pricking at the corner of her eyes. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. She wasn’t sure which was worse, Declan not remembering her, or admitting he did, but still not choosing her. Her mouth filled with a metallic taste, and she realized she’d bitten the inside of her cheek until it bled.
Fine. Olivia stood, pressing her fingertips to catch the tears that threatened to fall.
It really was over.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Atlanta—Present Day
The door to the conference room was open when Olivia stepped off the elevator. Cecile sat on Declan’s left, her expression curious before she masked it. From the way everyone told her Kyle had raged as he was escorted out, Olivia was pretty sure most of the company assumed she was sleeping with Declan.
Olivia set her leather portfolio on the table in front of her. In the hours since she’d met Declan in the park, she’d locked away her emotions with steely resolve. This was now strictly business.
“What is your goal for Armstrong Electronics?” Olivia asked as she took her seat.
Cecile looked startled by Olivia’s preemptive strike and sent a sidelong glance at Declan. Olivia ignored it. Only the man across the table interested her. The corner of his mouth lifted before it smoothed into professional blandness.
Silence descended over the table, but Olivia refused to blink first.
“We are—” Cecile’s mouth snapped shut when Declan turned his stare on her.
“The purpose of these interviews and our activities over the next few weeks will be to assess the company’s general health. After that, we will make the necessary decisions regarding the future of Armstrong.”
“You must have a goal in mind,” she said, archly. “Bloom Capital aggressively sought to gain control of us. Why would you do that if you didn’t already have an end goal?”
“Aggressively?” Declan’s brow quirked.
“You overpaid for the shares necessary to gain the majority. Almost twice what you initially offered, and you accomplished it in secret, over a span of a few days.” Olivia’s lips lifted, but there was no humor in her smile. “I’d say that qualifies as aggressive.”
“I’d call it determined rather than aggressive.” Declan paused. “You’ve never seen me aggressive.”
Olivia hid the shiver the silky promise in his voice sent through her.
Strictly business, Olivia.
“Determined implies a goal, doesn’t it?”
Cecile cleared her throat. Olivia suspected Cecile wasn’t used to someone challenging Declan so openly. Particularly when they were supposed to be defending their job.
Good.
Declan stared at her, tension crackling in the air between them. She wasn’t the only one who noticed. Declan didn’t move, but Cecile shifted uncomfortably in her chair.
“I have many goals. None of which you currently need to be aware of. Now, if you’ve finished, perhaps we should begin.”
“Of course,” Cecile murmured, opening the file in front of her. “Ms. Adler.”
“Please, call me Olivia.”
“Not Livvy?”
She saw instantly that Declan hadn’t meant to say it out loud. His eyes dropped from hers, and he tapped his pen on the table.
“I prefer Olivia.”