The Love We Left Behind

lian's office, her puls

ired," he

ng about the way he said it, lik

a fresh start. Yet, the way Julian's eyes lingered on her, calculating and

lian continued, his voice smooth yet devoid of wa

d. "Thank you

but the smirk that follo

k me yet, M

r name sent a shiv

used to trace lazy circles on her palm as they

lian wa

o one to blam

an required, her nerves wound tight as

h crystal lights, and a massive digital screen displaying the latest updates about the company. E

g breath and approa

Cross assistant," she

ck blazer, barely glanced up befo

s she pressed the button. She hadn't seen Julian in se

id open with

th an air of quiet luxury-polished hardwood floors, gla

ulian's office, flip

t be Ros

ng brunette in her mid-thirties with a

per's executive assistant,"

Ms. Hayes," Rose said,

from head to toe, her

he said, turni

her heart poundi

, glass-walled office just a

sturing to the minimalist desk by the window. "Y

stiff

sonal a

what she had

d. "I was applying for a

"You'll be managing plenty of things-including Mr. Copper'

stomach

cou

because she was the be

ed her to

er under

em?" Victoria ask

traightened her shoulde

, clearly unimpressed

as dro

e had been bombarded with an overwhelming list of tasks. Scheduling meeting

Ju

knowledged h

ing orders with cool indifference, never onc

was far more calcul

, when he wasn't looking, she caught

was tes

see if she

't give him th

t

pped out onto the rooftop terrace-a quiet space

first

ria leaning against the

reath. "More like a r

ed. "Welcome t

he... treat all his

im of her cup. "No," she said a

nt a chill t

ec

a goo

nd, and Victoria

"Lunch break is almost over. You should head back bef

the lump in her

need to be

ck to Julian's offic

ted was to cross paths

never been

ffice to drop off a file, she fou

his desk, speaki

iefly before continu

his voice sharp. "I want the pro

e file on his desk, inte

s she turn

s Mo

fr

ck around, her heart

d set his phone down, hi

e stru

estion. It was

spine straight.

witched. "

s gaze hea

smile spread a

ing closer. "Then let's ma

ned. "What

now on, every mistake you make-every missed deadline

er spine. "What ki

amusement flicker

'll

ists, her nails dig

oss Group thinking she

walked straight i

no idea if s