From Sweethearts to Strangers: A Tale of Broken Promises novel Chapter 4

After that team outing, Sophia seemed to have it out for me.

She kept messing up on the project we were both working on, then bailed, claiming she wasn't cut out for it.

The deadline was breathing down our necks, and the client's calls were nonstop.

The project was full of holes, and I was drowning.

Everyone was pulling overtime, and I'd already pulled three all-nighters in a row.

Only Lucas didn't show.

He and Sophia both refused to work late.

A coworker was furious and called Lucas.

Before she could finish, I heard... noises on the other end of the line.

And Sophia's voice, saying, "The office has plenty of people. They don't need you."

The call ended abruptly.

The team was livid.

Someone walked past the door, and without even looking, a coworker shouted, "Lucas is completely whipped by that drama queen—"

After three sleepless nights, I finally patched up the mess.

I stumbled home to crash.

The front door slammed open, and the smell of alcohol hit me.

I barely opened my eyes.

There was Lucas, disheveled and furious.

"Emily, did you snitch to Mr. Anderson about me not doing any work?"

He yanked me out of bed.

"You have no idea. If it weren't for that call, I'd have been on third base by now!"

I thought I was still dreaming.

Did I just hear that?

I stared at him, confused.

Lucas was beyond annoyed.

"You're the one who wanted me to come back and work, right?"

"So why are you lying around? Let's go, back to the office."

"Sleep? Who cares if you're tired? If you're so tired, just die already!"

Finally, I snapped awake.

I shoved him off with all my strength.

He stumbled back but caught himself.

"Stop pretending."

"You think I don't see through your little games?"

"Don't mess with me again, or you'll regret it."

Three days of nonstop work had left me voiceless.

I pointed at the door, gesturing for him to get out.

When I finally shut the door behind him, his dark expression stuck in my mind.

After that, I came down with a fever.

The doctor said it was from overworking and my immune system crashing.

Work can't be rushed.

I had to ask Mr. Anderson for a day off.

I cut her off before she could strip right in front of me.

"Spare me the details."

She adjusted her shirt, giving me a pitying look.

"You're so uptight. He doesn't like girls who play hard to get."

"Chasing after him won't work. It'll just annoy him more."

"Do yourself a favor and give up."

"I heard you two haven't even held hands."

She looked down at me like I was beneath her.

"I don't like wasting time with women, so don't blame me for what happens next."

Before I could process what she meant, she slapped herself—hard.

I froze.

"What are you doing?"

Just then, Lucas came out of the bedroom.

He was shirtless, scratch marks visible on his back.

And he reeked.

Sophia immediately threw herself into his arms, sobbing.

"Lucas, I didn't know you two were a thing."

"She saw me here, got mad, and slapped me. It's my fault. I'll just go—"

Lucas glared at me, his eyes blazing.

"Emily, can you stop being so dramatic?"