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Seven

We all make concessions, I remind myself.

I can't help but ponder what Jason gave up and whether it was a worthwhile trade.

Jason

"Your 9 a.m., Mr. Shane."

Brett offers a smile and retreats from the doorway, revealing Mel. She's donning a pair of high heels I selected, and it's apparent that she's not at ease in them. I understand why; they're a good three inches high, a dark plum shade that complements her skin beautifully and makes her lipstick pop.

My attention is firmly fixated on her lips. I almost forget to rise when she enters. The door clicks shut, leaving us alone.

For the first time in years, words suddenly escape me. Panic takes hold as I falter, and the words remain stuck in my throat. Then my cell pings with a calendar reminder.

I remind myself to breathe and relax. "Would you like some coffee?" Relief rushes over me, and strangely, Mel seems relieved as well. Her eyes rove over the spacious office, and I abruptly realize her discomfort in this place.

"Yes, that sounds great."

A folder is clutched against her abdomen, presumably containing the NDA, though she never sent me any texts with questions or for clarifications. Hopefully, her signature graces the last line. Hopefully, this is where my frantic quest to provide Roy with a compelling reason to entrust the company to me finally culminates.

I keep the door open and hold my breath as Mel walks through. Brett watches us with a mildly surprised expression. I seldom step out of my office when someone comes to visit, preferring to keep them within my domain. But for the sake of making this appear authentic, Mel must be the exception.

We ride the elevator to the ground floor and commence the long walk to the lobby. It's a different elevator than the one employees use, granting us some privacy. I relish the solitude, which allows me to regain my composure. I'm realizing that being in close proximity to Mel makes me feel somewhat lightheaded, but in a strangely addictive manner.

The corridors are tranquil, as most people are already settling into their workday. Few individuals pay attention to us, thanks to my reputation.

Then a man turns the corner. I instantly recognize him and quickly pull Mel aside into a niche.

She gasps and stumbles against me. I spin us both and press her against the wall in the shadows. Her scent envelops me, her hair tickles my collar as I grip her waist.

"Hold still," I whisper before descending to capture her lips. There's a smaller gasp, which I eagerly breathe in as I deepen the kiss. I feel her body slightly weaken as she clings to my shoulders for support. Those heels, those infernal heels...they have us almost perfectly matched in height.

My mind gets lost in fantasies about that lipstick, too, and the marks it'll leave on both of us. I get so engrossed in running my tongue along her lower lip that I completely forget the purpose of this charade.

"Jason—?"

Roy is rightfully shocked.

I pull back and look to the right, where the old man stands frozen in the hallway. His eyes narrow behind his wire-rimmed glasses as he shifts his gaze to Mel. I loosen my grip around her waist as I step away.

"Roy. I apologize."

I grasp Mel's hand, disregarding the bewildered look she shoots me, a desperate request for an explanation.

"This isn't what it appears to be," I say.

He continues to seem somewhat indignant. I'm aware that this is an image he never anticipated encountering, particularly not from me.

"Let me introduce you to my fiancée, Mel Atkinson."

Mel blinks, and it's as though she instantly masks her emotions. She adjusts her expression into one of modest and polite deference as she extends her hand to shake Roy's.

"I apologize, Mr. Dupont. We haven't been introduced yet. I understand this must come as a surprise."

"It certainly is," Roy says, managing a strained chuckle. "A fiancée. You've been keeping this a secret, Jason?"

He wears a friendly smile, but the swift glance he gives me sets my gut into a state of apprehension. He's not entirely convinced just yet.

"It's a recent development, and we preferred to keep it low-key, for a few reasons," I respond. I slip my hands into my pockets, swaying casually on my heels. "In fact, we were just about to grab some coffee. Would you care to join us? I'll explain everything."

Mel flashes him a charming smile, and he agrees, appearing somewhat dazed. The three of us head to the lobby and make our way to the café. I end up paying a small fortune for two coffees and a tea. Mel cradles her coffee cup, her gaze locked onto the rising steam.

"No ring yet, Shane?" Roy teases.

I glance at Roy, who's scrutinizing my face, searching for any sign of deceit or vulnerability.

"Oh," Mel interjects quickly, looking between us. "It's because, well, we didn't want anyone to know just yet."

A frown creases Roy's brow, so I step in to clarify.

"Mel has recently been appointed as our head of marketing. When she was considering the position, we contemplated our options. I've already discussed it with HR," I assure him, having done so this morning as soon as Valeria, the HR head, arrived. "Everything is official and aboveboard."

I give Mel a subtle, suggestive smile that causes her cheeks to flush. Whether she's an excellent actress or still caught off guard by that kiss remains to be seen. My gaze drops to her lips.

"Except for the incident you walked in on," I add with a smirk. "I can't seem to control myself around her."

Roy shakes his head, grinning at both of us. "If HR has approved, then I'm sure you've handled the situation appropriately, Jason. I'm just surprised, considering all of our discussions..."

I understand the angle he's approaching. Why didn't you inform me about the engagement? Why keep it a secret when I explicitly stated my interest in your future and plans?

"I typically keep my personal and professional lives separate," I offer, though it's far from the truth. I have little privacy in my life. But Roy is unaware of this; he merely suspects it.

"So, you've been concealing her," Roy deduces. He gives Mel a kind smile, one she instantly warms to. At least she doesn't have to pretend to like him. Roy is one of the most authentic, benevolent people I've ever met.

This is why I feel remorseful about deceiving him.

"Yes, you're familiar with my dating history, Roy. What we have—what we share—I wanted to be certain. And I wanted to ensure that she'd say yes."

I reach for Mel's hand, gently stroking her knuckles. She's yet to realize it, but I have a ring in my office. I had intended to give it to her after this conversation, though I wasn't anticipating Roy's arrival.

Will she appreciate it?

Ultimately, it doesn't matter.

"Actually," Mel interjects, "I should probably head back to my floor. I need to meet with the copywriting team to ensure the content for the new website pages is ready to go."

"Of course, certainly," Roy responds, looking pleased yet still somewhat skeptical. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Mel. I wish I'd learned of you sooner, but Jason has always been close to his chest."

He gives me a knowing look, and Mel casts a curious glance in my direction.

"Jason, feel free to escort her back if you want," he suggests. "I'm sure you'll keep any further interactions professional. And don't forget, we have that presentation with Chiron Healthcare later today."

With a gracious smile, I stand and follow Mel, maintaining a respectable distance between us. It's enough to avoid looking overly attached, but also clear to anyone paying attention that there's a connection between us.

Once we're back in the dimly lit hallway, Mel whirls to face me. "What was that?"

"The execution of step one: making our relationship public."

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