I hugged my bag tighter to my chest, using it as a stupid barrier between us. The umbrella clinked against it as I tried to squeeze through a small space beside him, but he didn't budge.
His eyes flicked down to my arms. "What's in the bag?"
"Nothing."
He reached out and tugged it gently from me before I could even react.
"Hey—!"
But he was already unzipping it. My breath caught in my throat as he rummaged inside and pulled out the wrapped lunch Kieran had packed for me this morning.
Aaron blinked at it. "Since when do you bring lunch?"
I stammered. "I—I just—wanted to try it for a change."
He frowned, eyes narrowing like he was trying to piece something together. But I couldn't stand his scrutiny. I couldn't stand the idea of explaining Kieran or that someone else, someone not him, had cooked for me. It made the whole situation feel messier than it already was.
I reached for the bag, but he held it out of my reach, like a schoolteacher punishing a kid.
"Aaron, give it back."
"No. Not until you tell me what the hell is going on."
I clenched my fists. "Nothing is going on. I'm just tired, okay?"
He exhaled, stepping in closer this time. Not towering. Not intimidating. Just there, warm, close, unyielding.
"If you never say what's on your mind," he said, quieter now, "then how the hell am I supposed to know why you're mad?"
My jaw tightened. I looked up at him, all the embarrassment I'd swallowed since yesterday bubbling to the surface.
"If you really need me to spell it out," I said bitterly, "then maybe it's not even worth saying."
His eyes dropped to my lips.
And in the next breath, he kissed me.
It wasn't soft.
It wasn't gentle.
It was frustrated. Angry. Like he'd been holding it back for weeks. Like I'd been pissing him off and turning him on all at once. And my mind short-circuited. I froze. My fingers were still curled tight from arguing, but now they were curled around the lapel of his suit jacket.
He kissed me like he meant it. Like he was tired of all the pretending too.
And worst of all?
I kissed him back.
And before I could stop myself, I pushed him back. Or at least tried to. He barely moved, and instead of recoiling, he stepped into the force, grabbed me, pulled me with that stupid smugness.
"You always do this," I snapped, breathing hard. "You ignore me, avoid me, pretend like nothing happened, then suddenly act like—like this."
He didn't let me finish. He backed me up until I hit the door with a soft thud, his body pressing into mine, heat flaring between us like static.
I should've pushed harder. I should've left. But I couldn't. I couldn't stop picturing him.
Kieran.
It came out of nowhere. A flash of his eyes. His voice. The scar along his ribs. His shadow, dark and dangerous and impossible to forget. He hadn't left my head since that night, and now… with Aaron so close, it was him I was seeing instead.
My breath hitched, and I froze.
Aaron must've noticed. He pulled back immediately, jaw tightening. "I'm sorry."
I blinked. "For what?"
He paused. Something crossed his face... something close to regret.
"For not responding… on time."
I looked at him, trying to read him. The space between us buzzed with everything we hadn't said. I couldn't figure out if I wanted to scream or cry or kiss him again just to shut myself up.
But then, he turned, walked to his desk, and pulled open a drawer.
"I have something for you."
My heart flipped.
A small velvet box.
I froze.
Was this…?
My stomach twisted. I tried not to look too hopeful, but inside, everything in me lit up like fire. Maybe this was it. Maybe he was going to—
He opened the box.
A necklace.
Beautiful. Elegant. Silver with a thin sapphire pendant.
Not a ring.
All the breath left my body in a quiet rush. My chest ached with disappointment I didn't want to admit. I forced a smile, biting it back.
He walked over and held it up gently. "It reminded me of you."
Before I could respond, his fingers brushed my neck, and he clipped it on for me. The pendant rested cold and perfect against my chest.
"It's… beautiful," I said quietly.
He tilted his head, his gaze searching. "You don't like it?"
"I do," I said quickly. "I just—"
His phone rang. I could've kissed whoever was calling.
"You should get that," I said, stepping away.
I didn't even look back. I just walked out with the necklace around my neck and the ghost of a proposal that never came burning in my throat.
I wasn't even trying to run into her. I was just tired and wanted to go back to my floor quietly, head down, no drama. But of course, when I stepped out of the elevator, there she was.
Katherine.
Her heels clicked against the polished floor as she turned with that trademark look of disdain. Her lips curled like she'd just smelled something foul.
"Still here?" she murmured, eyes sweeping over me like I was a stain she couldn't bleach out.
I didn't say anything. I didn't have to. I just adjusted my bag on my shoulder and walked past her like she wasn't there. Like I was air. That usually pissed her off more than anything.
So she could choke on it.
I slipped into my department, relieved when I was finally behind my desk. The storm outside had died down, leaving the office bathed in a hazy gray glow. People were milling about, whispering excitedly. It was odd. Too much buzz for a busy day.
Just as I reached my desk, a buzz went out. A new intern was being introduced to the floor.
"Alex Kingston," our supervisor announced. "He'll be working under Kina for the time being."
Wait. Under me? And then my gaze met him.