He wants to stay.

KAILEE

“You’re late.”

That was the first thing Ashton said when I walked into his office.

I glanced at my wristwatch, trying to remain polite.

“It’s only seven thirty-two a.m., Mr. Lancaster.”

His eyes narrowed slightly as he stood up. “Official resumption time is seven. I expect everyone on my team to respect that.”

“Noted.”

I didn’t want to argue on my first day. It was already bad enough that I was working in the same space as him.

He led the way out of his office, his intimidating figure blocking my view as I followed behind him.

“I’ll be overseeing this project personally. Don’t forget that.”

“Okay, Mr. Lancaster.”

He stopped in front of a door that had the tag ‘Designers only’ and opened it.

“You’ll be working closely with the designers here. Make sure you’re diligent and punctual.”

I was tempted to ask him why he’d changed his mind, but the first face I saw after walking in made me swallow my question.

She turned around and immediately locked eyes with me. Her eyes widened slightly in shock before settling into something pretentious.

“Kailee,” Lavinia whispered. “It’s so good to see you again.”

We both knew that was a lie.

“Same, Ms. Lancaster.”

“Good morning, babe.”

Another woman walked past me and pressed a kiss on Ashton’s lips.

My throat tightened as I watched her hug him before pulling away. Ashton cleared his throat then answered quietly.

“Morning.”

I stared at her, already knowing who she was.

Lorelei Sinclair.

Top Model and face of Lancaster Beauty & Fashion.

The same woman his family wanted him to marry and start a family with.

“Lavinia,” Ashton’s voice broke the silence a few seconds later. “Kailee Donovan is the lead designer for Bloom Fashion. She’ll be joining our team for the next six months.”

Lavinia raked her eyes over my figure, her lips parting into another soft whisper.

“I see.”

“Good.”

He left after giving a few orders. Lavinia turned to me fully, closing the space between us.

“What a surprise, Kailee. It’s been what, six years?”

“Five, actually.”

“Right. Back here to swing poles?”

A few of the staff members laughed, but I wasn’t surprised at her remarks. Typical Lavinia.

“A gentle reminder,” she continued after I’d ignored her. “Ashton still hates you, and that feeling isn’t going to fade away anytime soon.”

After that conversation, I did everything to avoid Lavinia. Not because I was scared of her, but I had a lot more important things to worry about.

That afternoon, I saw Dexter on my way to the cafeteria. He brought food to me, and I thanked him for being thoughtful.

“I was about to grab something,” I said. “But you’ve just saved me from the stress.”

He smiled. “How’s your first day going?”

“Honestly,” I sighed. “Lavinia is still the same, and I never expected Ashton to return. He’s been so cold to me. I don’t know what to think about it.”

“Don’t let his behavior bother you. He’s been like that since… you know when.”

I nodded. “That’s understandable. But letting that ruin our professional lives? I’m not sure I’ll survive the next six months.”

Delaney, one of my newest coworkers, approached me.

“Mr. Lancaster wants you in his office.”

I glanced at Dexter and murmured. “Only God knows what he wants now.”

Ashton stood behind his chair, staring out the window as I walked in.

“You wanted to see me?”

I didn’t realize he had AirPods on until he pulled out the left one.

“I don’t appreciate workers loitering around during work hours.”

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “But I wasn’t neglecting my duties. I went to the cafeteria during my lunch break.”

He stepped forward, his jaw tightening.

“And spent additional time chatting with another employee.”

“Dexter? Our conversation was brief.”

“Brief,” he scoffed, closing the distance between us. “Then I trust you won’t have a problem keeping it that way during work hours.”

“I don’t get it. What’s wrong with chatting with a friend?”

His expression hardened. “When I give the rules, Ms. Donovan, you follow it without talking back to me.”

I bit my lower lip to refrain from talking back. Ashton held my gaze intentionally, as though he wanted me to do the slightest thing wrong so he could find a reason to reprimand me.

I took a step back and lowered my gaze. “It won’t happen again, Mr. Lancaster.”

“Good. I expect full commitment to this collaboration.”

“I’m fully committed, Mr. Lancaster.”

“You’re dismissed.”

I watched him return to the position I found him in, his back against me once again.

My blood boiled. His attitude irritated me, but I was determined to pull through the collaboration.

I didn’t talk to anyone else and focused on work. By seven p.m., everyone started getting ready to leave.

Xander’s babysitter called and I promised to get him before eight p.m.

Ashton saw me packing up and gave orders to the others, deliberately leaving me out.

“The rest of you are free to leave and resume working tomorrow morning. Except you, Ms. Donovan.”

My sketchbook slipped off my hands as I stared at him in disbelief.

“What?”

“You heard me.”

“But, it’s closing time. Why do I have to stay back?”

“You’re not leaving until nine p.m.,” he said flatly. “As the lead representative for Bloom Fashion, I expect high standards from you. And I want you to prepare the alternative concepts before the next meeting.”

I suppressed my anger and took a deep breath. Ashton was pushing me to react in a way that wouldn’t end well for both of us.

He returned to his office while I stood there, watching as the office gradually turned empty.

Reluctantly, I sat down, thinking of a way to get Xander. I had never left him until nine p.m. Sasha always made sure I closed early because of him.

Minutes later, Dexter walked in and saw me still working. He sat next to me, and I explained the situation to him.

“I’ll call Miranda to get Xander.”

Miranda was his housekeeper. She’d taken care of him since childhood and was like his mother.

“I honestly don’t want to trouble her with my issues. I’ll just text the babysitter to wait a little longer.”

“No,” he replied, already dialing Miranda’s number. “He needs to be in bed before nine.”

He made the phone call and I was relieved to hear Miranda excited about picking Xander for the night.

Ashton walked out a while later and found us arguing about Dexter’s decision to stay with me until I was done working.

“Why are you here?” He threw the question at his best friend.

“You told Kailee to work late, so I’m staying to make sure she’s not alone.”

Ashton stared at me, his eyes lingering a second too long before looking away.

“There are other people in the company who are working late.”

“Yet you’re about to leave. Kailee is the only person left working in this department.”

“Dexter,” Ashton called sternly, making me uncomfortable. “Go home. Ms. Donovan can handle her assignment alone, and there’s absolutely no reason for you to stay.”

I swallowed hard, trying to make Dexter change his mind before the exchange grew intense.

“The main issue has been resolved. I’ll be fine alone.”

He reached for my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

“I’m not going against any company rule. I’m staying, and we’re leaving after you’re done.”

I glanced at Ashton again and he was fuming. His expression was unreadable, but behind that calm exterior was a man who hated being challenged.

“Fine.” He dropped his suitcase. “If you leave, then I’ll stay back to oversee the work myself.”

My eyes widened in surprise. Ashton pulled out a chair and sat down across from us.

“You should go home, Ashton,” Dexter said.

“I’ll stay with Ms. Donovan until she’s done. You can leave now.”

Dexter and I exchanged glances. He squeezed my hand gently, then stood up to leave.

“Be good, Kailee. Stay safe and call me if you need anything.”

“I’m here,” Ashton spoke up before I got the chance. “She won’t need anything.”

My eyes darted to him, and an unsettling feeling swam in my stomach.

Of all the people I could be forced to have an evening with, it had to be Ashton Lancaster.