You Broke Us First

A

, casting a warm glow over my minimalist room. I rolled over, away from the rising sun, trying to shake off the remnants of exhaus

in a mouthful of air as my fingertips gingerly traced his face in the picture. The cold, calculating eyes staring back

led out the phone from the tangles of my bedcovers. My fingers moved with practiced ease, unlocking the device as my eyes lande

oice was still h

ow was your

halant. Gran knew me a bit too well though

or you to be up already

your room ready." She said, voice fil

gran, today is

was a brief pause. "You're still coming right?" Uncertai

ice. Thanksgiving or not, I'd already planned on spending the weekend at Gran's. As I rolled out of bed, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. The

my steps faltered for a moment

some eggs from the fridge, popping the door closed with one hip. "Do you

I'll so much love to add some pound

't wait. So see

see yo

could either beg James to opt me out of it or ask Tessa to lead the team instead; she's just as good as I am. But the big question

ated pan. I would have to make a decision soon. The project

She was a disheveled mess of hair and makeup with dried mascara smudged underneath her

d failing to keep a straight face

ed the elevator's handrail tightly. "A friend invited me to the club to celebrate her...b

?" I laughed, unab

ffeine and a week of uninterrupted sleep. And to t

to tame down her hair, smoothing the knot and tangles with

I saw at the club yesterday

" I asked di

ask me back, girl." She excla

or not?" I rai

ng slightly on her toes. "Jul

lowly lowered my phone and lea

stice to him. He looked so hot and broody in that bad bo

led quietly to m

project." She rolled her eyes, "Shouldn't you at lea

that." I responded numbly

Haze." She exclaimed, trailing after

for lunch later, yo

o catch up on some sleep, might not be able to on the flight home tonight." T

said, "I'll see

s if the mere thought of no

ad my nose buried in some assessment papers

dn't you?" His smooth vo

minutes." I scrambled out of my cubicle heading for the elevator, I

h Haze, I'm in front of you building. I'll

car door across my building, absentmindedly t

gain when I got to him. He rus

okay, just go

h. After sitting, we scanned through the menu together and placed our orders. I went for the grilled chicken sandwich while he opted for a turkey and avocado wrap, I also ordered a s

that. I'm certain she's holed up somewhere trying to sleep off her hangover." I chuckled, she was prett

He asked. I had called him late last n

or him doesn't necessarily mean I'll work with him."

n when you guys meet

lifetime. We literally live in different worlds." I don'

is seat, "Do you re

napped. "Can we just go

or

ping me with her while I getaway for the weekend and instead of being gratef

erve the break more than anyone. Moreover, I'm always happy

much Aiden."

riends for?

oon enough, it was time for me to get back to the office. He got the bill

d he let the engine idle as he faced m

e finally said. "I'll pick

." Giving him a smile,

an NDA needed from me. I headed straight to James' office with the papers before I would wuss

arters for the duration of this project, Ms. Waverley." James

ught I was just going in for a day or two to pi

severity and impact of having the Bl

my fist, "N

get anything done." He said, inspecting his nails like I wa

ust at the name. "

to him. Whether it was my anger speaking or my need to prove the

in