Chapter 222: His Jealousy

Holly’s POV

I walked into David’s office like I was marching to my own execution, chin high, shoulders squared, ice-queen mask locked in place. The door clicked shut behind me with a finality that made my stomach flip, but I didn’t look back.

He was already standing behind his desk, sleeves rolled up again, tie loosened just enough to make my mouth water. The second our eyes met, the air crackled.

“Holly,” he started, voice softer than I expected, “I’m sorry. What I did earlier, grabbing you like that, I crossed a line I shouldn’t have. I was out of my mind for a minute there.”

I crossed my arms, said nothing. Let him sweat.

He exhaled through his nose. “I have to go back to the meeting now…they’re waiting on final signatures. But when we’re done, let me take you out for lunch. Please. Let me apologize properly.”

Like a date?! David is asking me out on a date? Has my hard work finally paid off?

Inside, my heart did a ridiculous little cartwheel. Outside? Still stone. I couldn’t let him see how excited that simple request got me.

I lifted one brow, showing an unimpressed expression. “Lunch?”

“Yes. Anywhere you want. My treat.” He gave me that half-smile that should be illegal in all fifty states. “I owe you something sweet. Little girls deserve sweet things when someone’s been an asshole.”

The smile froze on his face the second the words left his mouth. Like he knew he messed up.

My face twisted. “I am not a little girl, David. And you are definitely not my brother.” I took one deliberate step toward the door. “I already have a lunch date, actually. So go find another little sister to buy ice cream for.”

His whole body went rigid. “You’re still going with Silver?”

I laughed, short, bratty, perfect. “God, no. What do you take me for? I have plans with a friend.”

“What friend?” The question came out sharp, possessive, before he could stop it.

I stopped at the door, hand on the handle, and turned just enough to give him a slow, smug smile. “You’re my boss, Mr. Hunt. Not my keeper, and definitely not my guardian. Even at work, I don’t answer to you… I answer to Norman. Have a nice meeting.”

I pulled the door open.

“Hey, hey, hey—”

His hand clamped around my wrist, firm but not bruising this time, and he tugged me back inside, shutting the door with his foot.

“You’re not walking out,” he said, voice low. “You’re still an employee here. You think you can just ditch work for some stupid lunch date with some stupid friend?”

“It’s not a stupid date, and he’s not a stupid friend,” I snapped, chin high. “And last I checked, employees are entitled to a lunch break. Or would you prefer I starve?”

He groaned, dragging a hand over his face. “That’s not what I’m saying and you know it. You can have lunch. With me.”

With him? Like, just the two of us? Alone?

My insides turned to liquid heat. Outwardly? Poker face of the century.

“Sorry,” I said coolly, steadying my racing heart. “I already have another engagement.”

He stared at me for a long beat, jaw working. Then he sighed, defeated. “Fine. Dinner, then. After work. Please.”

I pretended to think about it, tapping my finger against my lip like a spoiled little princess. “Hmm… only because you asked nicely.”

A flicker of relief flashed across his face. He released my wrist, fingers brushing my skin like he couldn’t help himself.

I turned to leave again, then paused halfway out the door. “Oh, one more thing. I’ve been trying to reach Justin. Can I have his home address?”

His expression turned sour immediately. “No.”

I blinked. “Excuse me?”

“I said no. I’ll tell him to call you. That’s final.”

And then he brushed past me, out the door, leaving me standing there with my mouth actually hanging open.

Naaah. He’s definitely jealous.

I can tell for a fact.

A giddy little giggle slipped out before I could stop it. Dinner tonight. With David.

Soon we’ll have our own little warm family, just like Ava and Orion.

Still grinning like an idiot, I floated back to my office.

I’d barely dropped into my chair when Amber appeared, pushing a metal trolley stacked so high with files it looked ready to topple.

“Mr. Hunt says we’re sorting these together,” she said, already sounding exhausted. “And calling every vendor on the list to confirm Q4 pricing.”

I stared at the mountain of paper. “Just the two of us?”

Amber sighed, rolling her neck. “Forget lunch, babe. We’re not moving until closing. Peter from HR is grabbing us takeout on his way back.”

My jaw dropped.

Of course.

He couldn’t stop me from having lunch with Tyler directly, so he buried me in busywork instead.

I was furious. But I couldn’t deny the heat that exploded in my belly and how my entire body came alive.

His jealousy? I love it! Epic. But I should appear mad, so he doesn’t think I’m easy.

I cleared my throat. “Where is Mr. Hunt right now?”

“Conference room. They’re closing the deal as we speak.” Amber started sorting folders like a woman possessed. Then she laughed under her breath. “By the way, did you hear? I’m being moved to Norman’s team permanently. You’re taking my old desk. Right outside David’s office.”

My head snapped up as I tried to act like I was surprised. “What? No way. That’s…sudden.”

Amber smirked, not looking up from the files. “If I didn’t know for a fact that Mr. Hunt already has a crazy girlfriend living in Manhattan, I’d swear you two were secretly dating. He’s been rather too interested in you lately.”

The world tilted as her words echoed in my ears, and I felt every drop of blood drain from my face.

“Girlfriend?” I heard myself whisper.

Amber finally glanced up, brow furrowing. “Yeah… some crazy lady. You okay? You look like you just saw a ghost.”

I wasn’t okay.

I was very, very not okay.