Another week passed, and work had completely taken over my life. I'd given up doing my hair altogether, settling for a messy bun every morning. Aaron, of course, always looked like he had stepped out of a men's fashion ad—well-rested, clean-shaven, and aggravatingly perfect.
By mid-morning, I was barely functioning. I stood from my desk and dragged myself to the break room in desperate search of caffeine. Ryan was already there, gossiping with two coworkers, and waved me over.
"Morning, guys," I yawned, trying to sound alive.
One of the women gave me a once-over and winced. "Honey, you don't look so good. You need to lie down."
I offered a weak smile. "Just running on three hours of sleep and way too many emails."
They all exchanged concerned glances as I poured my coffee. I appreciated the sympathy, but I didn't have time to fall apart.
On my way back to my office, I heard Aaron's voice.
"Sorry, what was that?"
I turned to find him standing in his doorway, his brows furrowed.
"Are you okay?"
I nodded, but then caught a glimpse of myself in the glass behind him. The dark circles under my eyes, the dullness in my face—I looked like someone who hadn't seen a bed in days.
"Do you need help?" he asked, quieter now.
I tried to brush it off with a smile. "You're sweet, but I've got it."
He didn't respond. Instead, he glanced at the mountain of paperwork on my desk, then stepped into my office without another word. Rolling up his sleeves, he sat beside me and started working through the stack.
We worked in silence, the rhythm steady and surprisingly comfortable. In just an hour, the mountain became a neat, finished pile.
Exhausted, I let my head drop to my desk with a thud.
My computer screen lit up—an email from Trustpilot confirming Aaron's flight. I blinked at it, then sat up as he leaned over to look.
"Where's ticket?" he asked.
I glanced at him, confused. "I didn't know I was going with you."
Aaron stood and pulled out his phone, dialing without hesitation. He spoke a few quick words in Mandarin, then hung up.
"Book another ticket," he said. "I need my assistant with me."
A bit stunned, I booked the flight. When I showed him the confirmation, he nodded in approval and sank into the chair across from me.
"We don't really know much about each other, do we?" he asked, leaning back.
I kicked off my heels with a sigh. "Pretty sure that's your fault. Or do I need to remind you—I took ten shots to your seven."
He laughed, the sound easy and rich. "Still won."
I smirked, then tilted my head. "Fine. Let's play."
"Favorite color?"
"Sea-green," I answered. "Yours?"
"Yellow."
I raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
He just grinned. "Next question."
"Tattoos?"
Aaron tugged his shirt collar aside to reveal a bull inked over the left side of his chest. I rolled up my sleeve, showing him the small "infinity" symbol on my wrist.
"Senior ditch day," I said.
He chuckled. "Nice."
"Okay... favorite place to be kissed?"
His eyes locked on mine. "You already know."
My cheeks warmed as I opened my mouth to reply—but movement caught my eye. Ryan had poked his head around the corner, clearly eavesdropping. He vanished the moment Aaron turned his head.
"I heard you don't date staff," I said casually.
Aaron crossed his arms. "I don't. Usually. But for you, I'd take that risk."
I blinked. "That sounds like a PR nightmare waiting to happen."
He shrugged. "If people find out, they find out. Let's not fuel the fire. But let's not pretend it's not there either."
I stared at him, brow lifted. "Was that... you asking me out?"
"I thought that was clear when I invited you to dinner."
I laughed. "That was a date."
Aaron shifted closer, his tone low and deliberate. "I know I make you nervous. And I know every time we're near each other, you're fighting the urge to rip my clothes off."
I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "And how would you know that, Mr. Simmons?"
"Because I feel the same way."
My breath caught.
This man—confident, smooth, maddening—was saying the things I hadn't even admitted to myself.
More eyes peeked from the break room. Aaron noticed, his smirk returning.
"You think we're being obvious?"
"Oh, for sure. Way too obvious."
He reached for his phone. "You know, I don't have your number."
I handed him mine. He entered his info just as another text lit up my screen.
The second I read it, my expression must've changed because Aaron immediately took my phone.
He blocked the number without hesitation. "You don't need that kind of energy. Especially from someone who doesn't see your worth."
I sat in stunned silence. The man I'd been trying so hard not to fall for... had just shown up in the most unexpected way.
"Did he hurt you?" Aaron asked gently, his voice almost a whisper.
I didn't answer right away.
"That's... a story for another time," I said quietly.
Aaron took my hands, brushing his fingers across the faded, nervous scars I'd left on my own skin over the years.
"If you ever want to talk, I'm right across the hall," he said. "Or now, just a phone call away."