Chapter 10 – Am I Really Ready for This?

Chapter 10 – Am I Really Ready for This?

Juliet Pierce

I got home, took the longest shower of my life, and fell into bed still tasting Noah on my lips. When I woke up on Sunday morning, Atlas had already sent a message: the electrical issue hadn’t been solved yet. No club tonight.

And if I’m being completely honest… I was relieved. Not because I didn’t want to see Noah (God, that was the only thing I wanted), but because I had absolutely no idea how I would act when our eyes met again.

Sunday passed in the sweetest blur. I soaked up every second with my kids. We had a big family lunch: me, my babies, Celeste, Samy, and Oliver (who showed up out of nowhere with three huge tubs of ice cream and refused to leave when I told him to stay).

I went to bed early. Monday I had an important interview at a big company. It was past time I put my degree to good use.

I woke up before the sun, nerves already crackling under my skin. Black pencil skirt, sky-blue silk blouse, black blazer, low heels: the perfect armor. The club money would be really good by the end of the month, but it wasn’t enough to feel safe. I needed a real, steady job.

“It’s going to work. It has to.”

I repeated it like a prayer the entire subway ride to Manhattan.

The building was a mirror-covered giant that reflected the whole sky. I walked into the lobby with my shoulders back and my best confident smile.

“Good morning,” I greeted the receptionist.

“Good morning! How can I help you?”

“Juliet Pierce. I have an interview scheduled for ten o’clock.”

The woman’s smile faltered. “Miss Pierce, we tried calling earlier… the position you applied for was filled on Friday.”

My stomach dropped.

“But the e-mail said interviews were today.”

“Yes, but there was an emergency and they had to move the hiring up.”

I forced a polite smile while my heart shattered. I needed this job to complement the club money. I couldn’t risk having to move again. Brooklyn was still the safest place, more than a thousand miles from Charleston… from George.

“That’s… such a shame. I was really counting on this opportunity. Thank you anyway, Jenny.” I read her badge and turned to leave.

I pulled out my phone to text Samy the bad news when I heard Jenny on the phone behind the counter.

“Yes… executive assistant to the CEO… all four candidates canceled… yes, right now…”

I froze.

Turned around slowly.

“Jenny… sorry, I couldn’t help overhearing. Did you say there’s an opening for executive assistant?”

She hung up and flashed me a conspiratorial grin.

“You heard right. But Mr. Blake almost never hires women for that role.”

Blake.

The name hit like a slap.

No… it can’t be him. Blake is common.

“I understand…” I murmured while her phone rang again. She signaled “one second” and, after hanging up, looked at me with a mischievous smile.

“Looks like it’s your lucky day. All four scheduled candidates just bailed. HR is desperate.”

“And where’s the luck? You said he doesn’t hire women.”

“He doesn’t usually… but miracles happen.” My smile grew. I just needed to convince this CEO I was the perfect assistant. “I’m going to talk to the director. If he approves, I’ll squeeze you in.”

“Won’t that get you in trouble?”

She shook her head. “Mr. Blake needs someone yesterday.”

“Thank you so, so much, Jenny.”

“Thank me after the director says yes.”

She made the call. He didn’t object. He told her to send me straight up.

Jenny printed my visitor badge, handed me a quick form, and gave me a temporary code.

“Top floor. End of the hallway, right side. Good luck. Mr. Blake is intense, but I have a feeling you’ll handle him just fine.”

I thanked her until my throat hurt and stepped into the elevator.

The ride up felt eternal. Even the cheesy elevator music was mocking my anxiety.

I hadn’t done an interview in years. I had given up my dream job to help that bastard, sacrificed everything so he could take the position I had fought for. All for a love that never existed and a marriage built on fear.

The doors opened.

Lost in memories of my ex-husband, I stepped out without looking and turned right, straight into a solid wall of expensive suit and familiar cologne.

“Oh my God!” I gasped. “I’m so sorry, I wasn’t—”

“It’s okay, it happens,” he said, steadying me with a hand on my arm.

That voice.

I looked up.

Declan Reed.

He tilted his head, studying my face like he was trying to place me.

“Have we met?”

I shook my head like a crazy woman.

Please don’t recognize me, please don’t recognize me…

“Jenny said the original position was filled, but you’re here for the assistant role?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Your file hasn’t arrived yet, but we can go ahead. The CEO decided to do this interview himself.”

Of course he did.

“I’m Declan Reed, by the way.” He offered his hand.

“Pierce… Juliet Pierce.”

He frowned for half a second, damn it, he’s trying to remember, then motioned for me to follow.

“Wait here, Miss Pierce. I’ll let Blake know you’re here.”

Blake.

The last tiny hope that it was coincidence died.

His phone buzzed. He glanced at it and smiled.

“No need. Blake just texted: send her in.”

“Thank you.”

I walked toward the door. Before I could knock, Reed called out one last time.

“Oh, Miss Pierce? Don’t let him intimidate you. He growls, but he doesn’t bite.”

If only you knew…

His words only made my heart beat faster.

Will Noah recognize me? And when he does, what am I going to say? Working weekends with him is already torture. Seeing him every single day? Under his command?

Am I ready for this?

I should leave. Go downstairs, thank Jenny, disappear before he sees me.

That’s it.

But before I could move, the door opened.

And there he was.

Black suit, black shirt, sleeves rolled up just enough to show the ink on his forearms, looking like he owned the world and everyone in it.

Those rare green eyes locked on mine.

And with a trembling voice I said the one thing that gave me away completely:

“Good morning… Mr. Noah.”