“Not so smart now, huh?” A victorious smile spreads from one cheek to the other, and I want to slap it off her arrogant face. That’s all it takes for the tightly pulled thread of my control to break. What the actual fuck? Where I was upset a few moments ago, right now my blood is boiling. I won’t break down any further in front of this piece of trash.

“I’m not going to stand here and listen to your shit. The only thing you should be saying to me is, ‘I’m sorry,’ not this bullshit. You went after a man that wasn’t yours! You were my friend, or at least I thought you were. Then you try to give me crap about going after Jackson? Fuck you! I’m done here.”

“Well I’m not done yet,” she sneers.

There’s no way this bitch is going to call the shots. “I have nothing left to say to you, and I couldn’t give two shits about whatever you want.” I take a step toward her and smother the urge to choke her. “I won. I got the account and you got Neil—which was the best fucking thing that could’ve happened to me.”

She lifts her bag and turns to me, her eyes narrowed. “Just so you know, Neil came to me. Not the other way around. I didn’t need to go after him. He obviously wasn’t happy with what he was getting at home. I think that says something, don’t you?” She raises her brow and takes a few steps toward the door. Without looking back, she says, “I wonder how long until Jackson gets bored with you.” Then she shrugs and strides out of the office. I guess she couldn’t resist digging the knife in a little deeper.

I’m crazy to think I have any shot with a man like Jackson, not that I’m trying for anything with him anyway. If I don’t get out of here now, I’m going to break down. I know I shouldn’t let her affect me, but she managed to remind me of every insecurity I’ve ever had in a matter of five minutes.

I grab my belongings and rush out the door only to crash into a hard chest. All my papers fly out of my bag and flutter around me. As they settle, I let out a sardonic laugh and hear a deep, familiar chuckle, letting me know I’ve run into Jackson yet again. Will the humiliation ever end? I look up and see his captivating eyes change as he takes me in. I haven’t had a chance to school my features, so I have no idea what he’s seeing right now. He’s close enough that I can feel his chest rise and fall. I can feel his warmth. Neither of us has spoken. He hasn’t said anything obnoxious. He’s staring at me inquisitively.

“Are you okay?” he asks in a soft voice as he crouches down to collect the papers. His concern makes my heart ache. “What was that about?”

Oh God, did he hear what Piper said? I clear my throat, bend down across from him, and try to force the conversation with Piper—and all the emotions that came along with it—out of my mind. “Yes, I’m fine. It was nothing I can’t handle,” I say as I pick up the last paper.

His penetrating eyes lock onto mine and he cocks his head to the side, trying to determine if I’m telling the truth. Giving me a half smile, he silently hands me the papers he gathered and we both stand. I stuff them back in my bag and return my gaze to Jackson’s. Deciding to break the awkward silence, I speak first. “Well, thank you for helping me. I should go.”

“No thanks needed.” He looks like he wants to say more but is debating internally. Without another word, he grabs my bag off my shoulder and places his hand on the small of my back to guide me. “I’ll walk you out.”

When we arrive at the front desk, he hands me back my bag and smiles warmly. “I’ll see you in a few days.”

I grab his arm, stopping him in his tracks. I’m not sure why—I couldn’t let him walk away. Quickly, I try to think of something to say to justify my behavior. “I … I meant to ask you about …” I stumble over my words, feeling more and more foolish. “You know what? It’s fine.” I smile awkwardly, hoping he lets it go.

Jackson leans forward, dropping his voice so only I can hear. His eyes give away nothing, and I can only imagine the myriad of emotions my own eyes show. “I was having a hard time walking away from you too.” He leans back and grins at me as his words float into my brain.

“Yeah,” I say breathlessly. Wait, what? That isn’t what I wanted to say! Dammit! I had a great come back and that is what comes out of my mouth? Shoot me now, please.

He raises his eyebrow and gives me a full mega-watt smile, enjoying my discomfort. “This trip is going to be fun. I’ll see you soon, Catherine.” His voice drips with the promise of things to come.

I smother my groan and decide to try to play it smart and casual. “Good-bye, Jackson.” I turn and walk to the elevator, hoping he’s watching as I sway my hips a little more than normal. I look over my shoulder, smiling when I see his eyes are exactly where I want them to be.

“Ugh! Where the hell is my black dress?” I yell out my bedroom door. Ashton is sitting on the couch laughing at something on TV.

“Stressed much?” she replies from the other room.

“I need your help! Get your ass off the couch!” I say in my pouty voice and stomp my feet like a twelve-year-old. I need her to calm me down and pack for me. It’s been four days since I last saw Jackson. I’ve gotten almost nothing accomplished because every time I sit to start something, I find myself daydreaming of his face or imagining his lips leaning down to kiss me. Lost in yet another fantasy of Jackson, I sigh and hear Ashton laugh again, only this time she’s in my doorway, staring at me.

“Lost in Jacksonland again, are we?” She snorts and heads into my room. “You got it bad.”

“Shut up. I do not!”

“Really?” Ashton tilts her head up and taps her finger on her chin as if she’s debating something. “Well if that’s true, then where’s his business card? I could always call him since I’m single.” She shrugs, gauging my reaction.

I glare at her. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Hmmm. You said he’s hot though, right?” She grins before continuing, “I really would like to see for myself. Who knows? Maybe we’ll hit it off.”

“You’re so full of shit. You wouldn’t do that to me.” I turn and look in my drawer for the damn black dress that’s not in my closet.

“If you’re not interested, why should it matter?” In the mirror I see her raise an eyebrow, goading me.

“I’m not interested, but that doesn’t mean I want him hanging around here.” I know she’ll never buy it, but that’s all I’ve got.

“I’ll make sure not to bring him around. I know he’s your client and all.” I turn and look at her smiling face. She’s waiting for me to either have an epic tantrum or call her on it.

Fine. Two can play at this game. “The card is on the dresser,” I walk over to the card Jackson placed in my hand last week. “Go ahead and give him a call. I’ll be right here.” I hold it out to Ashton, willing her to take it, hoping she doesn’t.

She grabs the card and reaches for the phone. She types the numbers and smiles the whole time as I gape at her. I can’t believe she’s calling him. I know what I said, but I never thought she’d actually do it. She knows me better than that. I’m about to say something when I look closer and realize she has my phone in her hand. I leap over the pile of clothes on the floor and lunge for the phone. She falls back on the bed, laughing hysterically as I claw my way up and rip it out of her hand. “You bitch!” I try to contain my laughter as I scroll through the call log to see if she dialed. “I’m gonna kill you! Thank God you didn’t freaking call him!”

“Nope, I wouldn’t call him. That would be sooo embarrassing.” She stands and heads into my closet.

Just as I’m about to go back to packing, my phone vibrates in my hand. I look down and open the text message from a number I don’t recognize.

Unknown: Can’t wait to see you either.