Chapter 2

They say Cancers are born worriers. Mix that with my mom’s perfectionist DNA, and you’ve got someone who sees a red flag in every tiny change to routine.

Normally when a guy shaves at night, he’s heading to a business dinner. But Nathan? He’s got his routine down to a science – dinner at one of his regular spots, then straight home. No cocktail hours, no networking events, nothing

So what could possibly make Manhattan’s most powerful CEO break his golden rule? Was there some crisis at Pierce & Associates he was shielding me from?

I had to see for myself. If everything was fine, great. If not, we’d face it together.

I called Sarah. We’d been roommates all through Harvard, and now she was CFO at Pierce & Associates. Back when her family lost everything in the 2008 crash, I’d helped her get back on her feet and convinced Nathan to give her a shot at the firm.

She practically sprinted across the marble lobby when she saw me.

“Emma!” She pulled me into a hug before whisking me toward the private elevator. “You need to visit more often! The whole office lights up when you’re here. Even Nathan’s death glare takes a vacation.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “Everything okay around here lately?”

– huge news!”

My stomach dropped.

getting massive bonuses!” Sarah’s whole face lit up. That’s what I’ve always. loved about her life knocked her down hard, but

we passed the executive floor, I noticed a cluster of unfamiliar faces – all young, female, and looking like they’d stepped off

nasty little thought crept in: Was this why he’d suddenly

Nathan Pierce, for God’s sake. The same man who’d hosted the Miss Manhattan pageant at

okay? You’ve got that look,” Sarah nudged

lip. “New

is booming, so Nathan set up a dedicated external relations department. His idea, actually – said it was the only way to keep

you were literally on Vanity Fair’s ’30 Under 30‘

Chapter 2

I’m being ridiculous,” laughed weakly.

“Your overthinking is going to give you premature wrinkles. Relax- they handle client events. Nathan barely knows

she left, I sank into Nathan’s chair, staring at the gallery of our photos on his desk. Photos from

thriving. No other woman. Maybe he just got a fancy new electric razor from his Birchbox. Maybe he just felt like

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255