Lauren, keeping her eyes off my neon-green sweater, bent down a bit, leveling her gaze with mine. “I’m so sorry I didn’t make it over here last week. I got your email, but I was in back-to-back meetings until the end of the day. How are you doing?”

In my misery on Friday, I’d sent her a short email detailing the misadventures I’d had the night before. I’d left out the part about spending the night at the boss’s house.

I liked Lauren, but I didn’t quite trust her. She was always a bit too interested when it came to our boss, which made me all the more tight-lipped when it came to Roman’s business.

“I’m better, I think,” I answered honestly. “My best friend, Melissa, flew in on Friday, and she helped calm me down over beer, pizza, and copious amounts of candy.”

She laughed. “I’m glad to hear it. I was worried all weekend when you didn’t show up at my place. I know you don’t have a lot of friends yet in the city, and I didn’t want you to end up alone in a hotel.”

“No, well… I mean, Melissa and I did spend one night in a hotel when she got here, but actually, Tyler gave me the apartment. Can you believe that?”

“Yes, I can,” she said flatly. “He should have after kicking you out in the middle of the night. You never did say where you went that night. I hope you didn’t wander the streets or something equally dangerous?”

“Oh, I forgot. I was in a hotel that night as well,” I lied, briefly looking away to hide the deceit in my eyes.

“Okay, well, I’m glad you’re all right. Everything else going smoothly? Boss hasn’t ripped your head off yet?”

“What? No. He’s harmless,” I said, instantly regretting the way I’d scoffed at her statement.

Everyone in this office feared Roman. If I wanted to fly under the radar—especially with Lauren, the gossip queen—I should fear him as well.

“Harmless?” she questioned.

“I mean, as long as I stay out of his way. We have a system.” I shrugged, trying to seem aloof and unaffected.

“Of course. Bethany said that as well. She said the best kind of assistant for Mr. Cavenaugh was the invisible kind.”

I laughed, hoping it wasn’t loud and off-putting.

It kind of was.

“Exactly,” I replied.

“Miss Hamilton, can I see you? Now.” Roman’s voice sounded over the intercom on my phone. He sounded mad and greatly put out.

My eyes met Lauren’s, and all the doubt and tension in the air dissipated instantly.

“Sounds bad. You’d better hustle,” she said, giving me a quick wink.

Rising from the chair, I nodded.

“Don’t let him get you down. Lunch later?”

“Yes, I’ll email you.”