My wife and the boss's kiss

and straight into the fluorescent-lit present. I jumped, clutching at my papers, but it was no use-the sharp blast of cold air from

. My bag slid off my chair and thumped onto the floor beside me, but I ignored i

akers, all a threat to my sanity. The chaos of lunchtime in the coffee house didn't slow,

ed-up-in-her-own-w

I was merely an assistant editor amongst many, of course, but our main senior commission editor had decided to put my name in the bowl when the main editor at the time had decide

spite my achievements, I still

s, biting my lip as I noted how out of order they now were. Five minutes of frantic gathering later, I

ands behind my ear. My hazel eyes darted nervously around the coffee house, sweeping the slightly c

down. No one else was ho

st

awkwardly amidst a sea of peo

to just curl into a ball under my table and di

warm, smooth timbre to it that somehow cut

ripping over my ow

e he

sp white shirt tucked neatly into dark blue business pants, the jacket of his suit casually draped over one arm. In his fr

aze, the blush creeping up my neck hotter tha

ing them to my chest like a lifeline. Without daring another glance upward, I turned on

to blend into the crowd. My footsteps quickened automatically, the tip-tap of my heels matching the thu

still buzzing ins

man carrying a tray of sandwiches as I squeez

he other end before a voice answered, cl

. I need to speak to you regarding the new author

d never meant anythin

and phone from falling to the ground in a messy display of

d manuscript, and started toward the office with purpose. My bag thumped against my

but it lingered like an echo. His voice. Those eyes.

man drown in a puddle of paper. Either way, the mortification remained. I was used to being

ked like they belonged on the

dio and a florist-and I exhaled a shaky breath. The familiar revolving doors welcomed me wit

of caffeine withdrawal. The moment I stepped out, the scent of burnt espresso and paper greeted m

ered, beckoning me ins

amble, clicking the door shut behind me. "You

said, adjusting my grip on the slightly

"Just... a twist. Langford's not just some fresh-faced writer from nowhere. Turns out, he

I blinked

ou." Her eyes glittered. "And he's a

mach d

he's he

ying my panic. "And I suggest

w in confusion. "

t finish th

the door

the man from t

th stormy

a new ma

ng direct