When heart collides

. The air inside his office felt heavier than the day before, like the room itself was a

," Alicia said, stepping fur

ng her with those sharp, unreadable gray eyes. "Ms. H

'on time,'" she quipped, remembering

she could fully register it. "I appreciate the effort," he said. "Le

professional. She would not give him the sat

ther-bound folder. "I've gathered the plans for the existing layout," she s

kid

at you need," Alicia sai

r. Too close. "I expect a progress update by the end

iver it," sh

nt-a silent clash of wills.

ned his head slig

oward the window, signaling

d Evelyn out of the office, tensio

-

rics. Evelyn had set her up in a sleek, modern workspace down the hall from Alexander'

job could change her life if she

her concentration. She gl

her face as she answe

e been up since six. I had to prep for a client

sion easing from her shoul

n the billionaire's

etween her fingers. "Exhausting already. Alexande

g and rich? Sound

know my type is emotionally

ted. "So, when do I get to

ssible," Ali

la said breezily. "Anyway, lun

ing toward her growing pil

arned. "And hey, don't let guys

licia murmure

-

picking at the sandwich he didn't feel like eating. The low hum of teenage chaos buz

dy halfway through a bag of chips. "Dude, wh

pill his thoughts, not about Chase's latest stunt

e said, mouth full. "That guy's been

," Noah said darkly. "

ak of the devil. Chase Whitmore, all cocky smirks and expensi

wn since the first day of senior year. Her dark curls framed her fac

ing again,"

staring,"

to the seat across from them. Cool and effortlessly

," Noah grumbled, t

one making heart eyes at Lily Carter

e the others,"

nning. "Total opposite of you,

ah said firmly. "Not when Ch

Chase stop you from any

brushing her hair back. For a split second, their eyes met

s surprise,

low whistle. "D

t stop the smile tugging at his lip

-

ddle of refining her design presentation when the s

en C

h easy charm and a smile that could melt ice. His perfectly tailored gray s

extending a hand. "Damien Cross, COO and oc

curiosity piqued. "Alicia

aid, settling onto the edge of her des

re I am," sh

arm, too warm. "I

ut his charm feeling a touch too poli

ien said easily. "And to tell you, don't let

"I don't scare e

es glinting with something unre

king at Blackwood Enterprises was only