Marriage Contract with the CEO

zed above, casting a pale, sterile glow over the dull gray walls and plastic chairs. Cecilia Brooks sat s

ind that settled deep in you

a voice called

ront of her navy blouse, a

Administrative Office. Her glasses were perched low on her nose,

across the desk. "Due to budget cuts and restructuring,

d here for five years. My performance r

issue. The department's downsizing. Unfortunately, seve

istrative assistant. I handled case scheduling,

d said this a hundred times before. "Your severance will be proc

tared at

r spending in the travel budget. She hadn't accused anyone-she'

ghtly as she picked u

-

le who once shared coffee breaks with her avoided her eyes, no

ked what

sun glared off the sidewalks of downtown Atlan

the street and heading toward t

for rent in

npaid uti

in her check

her landlord: "Last warning.

n't cried yet, but her eyes b

ls began pinching her feet. She slipped them off an

grilled cheese and garlic fries wafting into the air. H

ept w

for snacks. She barely

e had stability. A government paycheck, modest but dep

or the pedestrian light to change. Her gaze drifte

e. Maybe a temp agency would have something. Maybe her sist

OOO

ar horn tore thr

street without realizin

eed. The driver slammed the brakes, tires shri

lia

hing s

iver's-dark, sharp,

, im

r tumbling to the ground. Pain shot through her elbow as

through near

door f

ll, well-built, and far too good-looking for a moment like this. His black hair w

. "Are you okay? Ar

up, wincing. "I thi

one was firm but calm.

cratch." She sat up despite

signs of distress. "You s

. "I don't need one. I

believe her. "I hi

et without looking. I'm

ght off guard.

d me enough today. I

like he didn't know whether

a good look at

. I kno

running a hand through hi

aw dr

brilliant, and chronically featured in business magazines and social media g

e'd hit her

cou

. "Well, I guess the unive

nt. "You really don't wan

bruised, I

noticed someone across the st

idened. "P

t as a second

mn

began crow

her gather her things. "Come on. B