Chapter 2

The next morning, I had barely reached the entrance of my office building when I saw Ryan's car.

He was leaning against the driver's side door with an elegant paper bag in one hand.

When he saw me coming, he straightened and held it out.

“Your favorite bagel place on the East Side. Just picked these up.”

His voice was gentle, like he was soothing a child throwing a tantrum.

I didn't take the bag.

“I already ate.”

Ryan frowned and pushed it into my hands anyway.

“Eat some more. Last night was my fault.”

He reached out as if to touch my face, then stopped.

“Why are your eyes so red? Didn't sleep well?”

I stepped back, avoiding his hand.

“I was reading some documents last night. Stayed up late.”

His hand froze in midair for a second before dropping naturally to his side.

“You're still mad about last night?”

“Tessa genuinely needed help. She lives alone, and a pipe burst in the middle of the night. I couldn't exactly ignore it.”

He studied me carefully.

“You usually blow up the second you get jealous. You're never like this.”

I looked down at the paper bag in my hands.

The bagel shop really was famous.

But I had never eaten the cream cheese filling because I hated the strange aftertaste.

Years ago, whenever Ryan bought them for me, he would scrape off the filling and eat it himself before handing me the bagel.

But that had been a long time ago.

“I'm not mad.”

I looked up, my voice calm.

Ryan stared at me for a few seconds, as if searching for a crack in my expression.

Eventually, he smiled and draped an arm around my shoulders.

“Good. I booked a restaurant for lunch. I'll make your birthday up to you.”

Just then, his phone rang.

A custom ringtone.

Tessa.

Ryan immediately released me and answered.

I couldn't hear what she said, but his expression changed at once.

“I'll be right there.”

He hung up and turned toward me with an apologetic look that somehow still felt completely entitled.

“Tessa's computer is acting up. She has files on it for a meeting today, so I need to go help her.”

“We'll cancel lunch. I'll make it up to you some other time.”

He didn't even bother asking whether I minded.

“Okay.”

I nodded.

My quick answer clearly caught him off guard.

He opened his mouth, then suddenly looked past me.

Daniel Foster had just walked out of the building.

Ryan raised an eyebrow, his usual contempt returning.

“Isn't that Foster? The guy who used to chase after you in college? Put him in a suit and he almost looks impressive. Shame you can't dress up a personality.”

Then he casually patted my shoulder.

“Be good.”

Ryan had always believed he couldn't lose.

He got into his car and sped away.

Within moments, he disappeared down the street.

I stood there and dropped the paper bag into the nearest trash can.

Once I got upstairs, I opened the HR system and confirmed the next steps for my Frankfurt assignment.

My manager messaged me almost immediately.

“Got your confirmation. Foster happens to be one of the project co-leads, so he'll coordinate the remaining documents with you.”

I pushed open the conference room door.

Daniel was sitting at the table reviewing paperwork.

When he saw me, he looked up and handed me a checklist.

“These are the documents you need to prepare: passport, medical clearance, and visa application.”

“The deadline's tight. Everything has to be submitted by next Friday.”

He paused, his voice warm.

“If you need help with anything, just let me know.”

“Thank you.”

I took the checklist from him.

His gaze was sincere and open.