Unfinished Business

Cassie’s POV

I straightened my blazer and took a deep breath before entering the R.R. Conglomerate Holdings glass building. Another client. Another job. That was it.

I'd been repeating the words like a mantra, though my hands still trembled slightly on my leatherbound notebook. The corporate headquarters towered over me, mirrored windows glinting with the city skyline. A far cry from high school. But I'd built myself again: built myself into a person who was unsmashable… or so I repeated to myself.

My boss, Claire Lawson, nodded professionally as I entered the meeting room.

"You'll be handling a high-profile case. The client needs immediate damage control." I nodded, pulling my notepad out of my bag.

"Who is it?" I passed a file across the table.

"Jeffery Richards," my world tilted. My fingers tightened around the edges of the folder as memories from high school slammed into me—the kiss, the betrayal, the embarrassment.

"Cassie?" Claire's voice snapped me back into the present.

I subdued my reaction with an impassive, controlled countenance. "Understood."

***

Less than five minutes later, I waited in a luxurious conference room. My stomach knotted with apprehension when the door opened.

Jeffery came in a few minutes late, but without any apology, holding himself with easy confidence. He was taller than I remembered, and the custom cut of his suit made the most of the shoulder he had that made the high school girls all swoon. He dominated the room with his presence, but when his eyes met mine, there was a flicker of... something. Shock. Recognition. Regret?

"Cassie," he murmured.

I tilted my chin up. "Mr. Richards."

We both remained silent for a moment. The room felt too small, and the air was too heavy with memories I didn't want to bring up. At least, not in front of another person.

Finally, Jeffery chuckled, bringing back the cocky guy I'd grown to know so well from my past.

"Didn't expect to see you here."

"Neither did I," I returned evenly. "Shall we get started?"

And without another second wasted, the meeting began. I presented the PR plan with all the professionalism that I could muster. Outline a few word points I'd been thinking about, making sure to not betray one iota of emotion. This wasn't high school, after all. And I wasn't the girl I used to be. Jeffery Richards might have turned me into a starry-eyed princess chasing after a dream back when we were both in school, but I wasn't going to allow him to back me into a corner now.

"You need to control the narrative. I suggest controlling the narrative by putting yourself in the best light possible. Limit all news outlets you interact with, and issue practiced responses only. We must twist in your favor what we can't make go away."

His shock finally gave up its space for acknowledgement, his arms crossing before his chest as he leaned back against his chair.

"And you think you can orchestrate what I can say and do in favor of my reputation?"

"I don't think, Mr. Richards. I know." And for one brief second, I saw it. The uncertainty that registered on his face quickly morphed into trust. Until it was gone and replaced with irritation.

"Impressive." Jeffery glanced at me. "You've changed."

"People grow up."

"Yeah." His gaze searched mine. "Some more than others."

***

After the meeting, I gathered my notes in my file, but before I could leave, Jeffery spoke again. "Cassie, wait."

I hesitated but refused to look vulnerable. "Is this about business, or are we delving into the past? Because if it's the latter, I'm not interested."

Jeffery exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Look, I know I was a—"

"Don't," I cut him off, voice sharp. "This is work. Let's keep it that way."

His jaw tightened. "Fine. But we're going to have to talk about it eventually."

I walked toward the door, pausing briefly. "No, Jeffery. We don't." We had a past, and it's over."

He grimaced, "Have Cassie, we have a past and will talk about it!"

Without another glance, I left the building, my heels clicking against the marble floor, leaving him standing there as he watched me go.

The game had started again.

And this time, I intended to win.