BENEATH THE COLD CONTRACT

pte

line

re gl

ropped my bag onto the

aying. You've been spending all this time with Mr. Billi

shoes. "Yes, Gina. It's a

ng me there are no side glances? No accidental tou

without smiling. Gina is such a crazy girl. S

idened. "O

d. "Gina

ed at me dramatically. "You hesitate

d threw it at her. "N

it with e

kitchen. "I'm starving. Did yo

e defl

u're an

at's what best f

th Kane was... u

sions, late-night planning sessions. He was meticulous,

love...like when he complimented a piece of mine with a rare, genuine smile. "T

He didn't even look away when our eyes met. Kane I knew the

, and can al

h that I could feel the heat of him. Or the moments when our c

I noticed t

Yes, his gentleness made me like h

o that trap. Not when I was carryi

verthinki

atching me. We were sitting in his office,

a smile

is look when you're lost in thought. Lik

d. If only

othing,

but he let it go. "Alr

event layout on his laptop. But just as he sta

mach t

ing the armres

t

already knew what was wrong

ogether, breathing

not aware of what w

g myself to sit still. M

me. this time,

d the desk. I clenched my jaw

y noticed.

tight smi

He frowned.

oo fast. "Fine

k convinced.

st need s

n it hi

ver my mouth, and

hot thr

conds be

olted from my chair, spri

after me.

dn't

e I collapsed in front of the

gripped the cold porcelai

ring footsteps. Finall

ne's voice was

I cu

ped the sink for support. I coul

oor." His voice was f

uth, taking s

ull myself

ad

ooked awful. My face was pale, my eyes looked tired, and no mat

d again. "A

t in the wa

cing my voice to soun

and threw up," he said dryly.

shut. "I think I

ong silence. Then.

I blur

pt si

as softer now, almost g

nted

I wan

, he'd start asking questions. An

dn't r

e, took another deep breath

mine immediately, peepin

look okay

nonchalantly. "I'm fine

red with doubt.

," I

see it in his expression. Bu

ght. But if you need to l

mile. "I app

lyze me further, walking back toward

, my heart

etting har

ner or

going to