The Truce (London Suits 1)

“Good girl,” Eddie praised me. “One fresh cup coming right up.” He blew me a kiss and strolled into the kitchenette.

I buried myself in my work, spending the next hour consulting with one of our clients via video chat regarding a social media campaign we were setting up for them. Adding the proposed deadline to my calendar, I noticed a reminder notification pop up on my screen to say that my meeting with Ethan was due to begin in five minutes.

I could have sworn there was no meeting in my calendar when I’d checked it the day before. Confused, I dialled Ethan’s internal number from my desk phone.

“Hi, Delia,” I said, when Ethan’s assistant answered. “It’s Olivia. Am I meant to be attending a meeting with Ethan?”

“Yes, that’s correct. He asked me to schedule a meeting with yourself and Luke as soon as I got to work this morning.”

“Oh, okay. Thanks. Um, I’ll be there in a minute.”

Time to steel myself for what was sure to be an awkward gathering.

Grabbing my third coffee of the day, I made my way to Ethan’s office.

“Head on in.” Delia inclined her head towards the open door, her warm brown eyes twinkling merrily at me, crinkling in the corners. I nodded and walked into Ethan’s spacious office. Luke was already in there, of course, debating the merits of some football player or other. As soon as I sat down next to him, he stiffened and went silent, then glared daggers at me.

I gasped at the venom in his gaze and responded by subtly giving him the middle finger, pretending I was scratching the side of my face.

Ethan frowned unhappily at us both.

“Must you two act like children all the time?”

“He started it,” I muttered.

“Oh, that’s fucking rich—” Luke began.

“Enough!”

Ethan slammed his palms on his desk. I was quite literally shocked into silence. My boss was one of the most level-headed and calm people I knew.

I shrank back into my seat.

“Ethan, I’m so sorry,” I whispered.

He held up a hand.

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nbsp; “I don’t want to hear it. You two are severely testing my patience with your bickering. I’d hoped you would be over this childish behaviour by now, but if anything, it’s getting worse.”

I flushed, chastised. Glancing at Luke’s profile, I saw him breathing like an angry bull, and his jaw was clenched so hard I could see a muscle ticking. I’d bet anything he was seconds away from exploding.

“Right. Let’s start again,” Ethan instructed. “I have something important I need to talk to you both about, so can you please try to be civil while you’re in here.”

“Yes.” My voice came out as a croaky whisper.

Luke nodded once, jerkily.

Ethan leaned back in his seat, looking more relaxed. “Good.” He clapped his hands together. “I have a proposal.”

He looked at each of us in turn, his stern gaze boring into us.

“The atmosphere in the office has become more strained of late. I take responsibility—I should’ve seen how bad it had become between you two.” He sighed heavily. “I hired you, Olivia, because I felt that you would be a perfect fit at Barrett London.”

The colour drained from my face—what was he insinuating?

Ethan must’ve seen my panicked expression because he hastened to reassure me.