A night with Mr CEO

night, or you'll hate you

her voice barely rising above t

soft pink, chipped at the edges. She stared down at the ice cubes floating in her drink, her hazel eyes wide and

ured, the words catching in h

olden curls over her shoulder like a movie star. She looked confident, in he

do it. Go tell Na

and laughter, glass clinks, p

clung to the back of her neck, damp with sweat, and h

ispering, "But what if I thr

You'll be fine. You ju

va

on Nate since college. Either

p of her drink. The sharp tang of alcohol bu

e said, standing up slowly, h

cheered, giving her a p

she spotted him...tall, dark hair, broad shoulders, standing

hing couples. Every step made her more nervous. Her palms were slippe

and tapped his arm, her han

high-pitched with panic. "I love you, okay? I've always loved

leaned in and kissed him, whil

, but not like in her daydreams. Not soft o

under h

ened he

she remembered from Nate, but something totall

he loo

ing inside

sn't

was sharp and defined, his black hair neatly styled. His face was un

stomach

she whispered.

oice smooth, deep, and di

ing back like she

omeone else. I'm so sorry

ry. Not even annoy

ected," he said, h

ned and practically ran back i

e was wiping tears from her

! Wait...wh

la whispered, grabbi

ha

d the wr

urst out laughing

ng her face in her

*

loud knock sounded

voice called out. "You're g

ng at the morning light seeping through the c

!" her mom s

ight, panic flar

e?! O

ess, half up, half falling down in loose, wild waves. Her eyes wer

ttered. "I look

a desk. Clothes were thrown across the chair, and h

pen, arms crossed. "Did y

I mean... yes. But

e an interview at a big company t

e pulled on her skirt, wrinkled from being

n't mess

on't

her face, brushed her teeth in thirty seconds,

ered to herself in the m

bag, slipped on her black h

ing. The line was long. She bounced on her feet, checking the

straight in

d across the front

Ella cried. "

a napkin. His face was sharp, handsome. His watch loo

owed eyes. "Watch where you're g

"I'm really sorry.

already w

eart

to the day, hu

minutes late. The building was tall and intimidating.

oors. Tall ceilings. People in suits wal

e receptionist, pan

ght this way. The CEO

thought... isn't the

ll be conducting the

asn't normal. CEOs didn't i

eels clicked with every step. The walls were line

e door

lla f

ge glass desk was t

e she

who wasn

ifted to meet hers,

leaning back in his leather chair

he air was sucke

the door closed behind