Manage My Heart (New Year New Me 2)

“I believe we’ll be in touch soon, sir.”

Scott smiles and claps my back. “Good man.”

I’m beginning to believe I dodged a serious bullet.

“I appreciate your time, Mr. Rogers.” Agent Pilot nods at me as they leave.

I’m even more eager to escape after that. I don’t want to be in the same building once Scott rejects the merger. My mind turns to Adora. Who still won’t take my calls or answer my texts. I even broke down and emailed her. The silence has me uneasy. It’s unusual for us to go more than a day without some form of contact. Now it’s been two. She’d slid into my life so easily and filled the empty spaces. My gifts will start arriving soon. I can only hope they’ll be well received.

Chapter Five

Adora

“Sis. I think these are for you,” Jenay calls.

I push away from my desk and stretch my arms over my head. I’ve thrown myself into the children’s book all about a magical unicorn who lives in a candy forest. The pastel colors and whimsical style have kept me from sinking into the depths of depression. I pad out of the office and find my sister standing at the front door with an arm full of sunflowers.

“What in the world?” I walk over, and she hands me a tiny, white envelope. “Did you do this to cheer me up?” I ask suspiciously.

“No, ma’am.” Jenay shakes her head.

I hand her the crystal vase and open the envelope.

My day isn’t complete without talking to you at least once, West.

“What are you up to?” I whisper.

“Is it from West?” Jenay asks excitedly.

“Yes. Though I don’t know why he’s sending me things.” I frown.

“Maybe you were wrong about his feelings.”

“No. The expression on his face was clear.” I refuse to allow hope back into my heart.

She lifts her hand. “Okay.”

“Damnit, West.” My mind is flooded with thoughts of him. We were more than boss and employee. There were plenty of weekends spent in front of Netflix, out to eat, or burning the midnight oil at the local coffee shop. Our relationship has been blurry for far longer than I care to admit.

“You should eat anyway,” Jenay says.

I pad into the kitchen and busy myself making a sandwich. Maybe I should text him. The thought makes me uncomfortable. I’m still exploring my own emotions. I don’t have space or energy to add his into the mix. For once, he can wait for me. I nibble at the ham, cheese, and mayo sandwich as I stand by the bar.

“You have to give him points for remembering your favorite flower,” Jenay says as she traces one of the bright yellow petals.

I sniff. “Unlike his other women, I can’t be bought.”

“It seems like a lot of work for a man who doesn’t care.” Jenay rests her chin on her fist as she peers at me from over the bar.

“He just wants me to come back to work. The man’s a menace when left to his own devices.” I roll my eyes.

“I’m not so sure I agree with you. He’s an asshole for how he handled things, but maybe think about hearing him out?”

“No.” I shove the rest of the sandwich into my mouth and slink back to my lair.

I’m neck-deep in Candy Cane Lane when Jenay calls my name again. Growling, I rise.

“What?” I poke my head out of the doorway, and my jaw drops. She’s holding a bouquet of mouthwatering mini donuts and cake pops. Wrapped in pale pink tissue paper and surrounded by a pink and gold bow, they call to me. My stomach rumbles.