Page 11 of His Long-Lost Baby
My stomach twists at his words. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. “That sounds horrible.”
David chuckles. “It can be. But it’s not all bad. There are good people here too. Like me,” he adds with a grin.
I can’t help but smile back at him. “I’m glad to hear that. It’s nice to have someone friendly around.”
Whether his friendliness is genuine or not, I can’t tell. It could be that he’s trying to get me to trust him in order to keep a closer eye on me.
I hate thinking that way, but so far this whole office is giving off extreme mean-girl vibes. It feels like I’m back in high school.
“Do you have any questions?” David asks.
“Um.” I look at the desk in front of me. “Is there an office supplies closet?”
“Yep. One floor down.”
“Thanks.”
I give him a smile and stand up. There are a few things in my cubicle I noticed I need, and I already feel constrained by this place. A few minutes of stretching my legs would be nice.
David goes back to his seat and I make my way over to the elevators. The one on the end opens immediately, and I step into the empty space.
Whew. All right. A moment alone to breathe.
“Hold on!” a man yells, and a second later he darts through the closing doors, barely making it on.
I start to say hello to him, but my mouth ends up falling open with no sounds coming out.
It’s James Garris.
I’m standing right next to my daughter’s biological father.
He stares straight ahead, smoothing his suit, not even noticing my staring.
Good God, he smells amazing. Like sandalwood and citrus. I can’t help but take a deep breath, trying to commit the scent to memory.
The elevator starts descending, and I try to steady my breathing. This is not the time or place to be getting all hot and bothered over a man, especially not him.
But damn, it’s hard not to. James is tall and lean, with chiseled features and piercing blue eyes. He’s the kind of guy who turns heads wherever he goes, and he knows it.
I tear my gaze away from him and focus on the elevator doors. I just need to get through this quick ride…
Wait. What am I thinking?
This is the opportunity I came here for!
Gathering all my courage, I clear my throat. “I’m Billie. Today is my first day. I’m a…”
He gives me a withering look, and the words die in my throat. With that one expression, he says everything.
What is a pleb like you doing talking to me? Are you really going to say something?
Go ahead. Be my guest.
As if to prove my point, his phone buzzes and he fishes it out of his pocket. He glances at the screen and types out a quick message before putting it back.
I’m staring at the back of his head, seething.
I want to yell. I want to punch something.