Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband

299 Office Tension

(Winona's POV)

"We're pretty backed up with marketing results to go through. You think you can handle the load?" Phillip asks, leaning back in his chair.

I glance up from the stack of reports, catching his eye for just a second too long. "I've handled more."

His eyebrow lifts, clearly amused. "More, right."

I ignore the innuendo that seems to lace everything, flipping through the pages, pretending to focus We've got a five percent increase in revenue for Brennan Industries campaign," I say, steering the conversation back to the numbers. Your marketing tactics really paid off."

I glance up at him. Hell, this is not as easy as I thought it would be. I feel like we're a couple of teenagers who just kissed behind the school shed. This is no good. We need to be able to work together normally again.

Now it feels all awkward and that does not help me focus on the work I have to catch up on.

"I have another meeting with Judy this week. I think she's looking at adding some more funds to increase

our reach."

"That's great. A bigger package to work with is always welcome."

I look up at him and he holds my gaze as I feel my face burning. "Far out! This sucks." Arrggh. No, not sucks, any other word. My shoulders slump in defeat. I give up.

"Anything else?" I ask, keeping my voice as flat as possible. "Or are we done here?"

Phillip leans forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "Depends. Do you think we're done?"

I set the papers down. "Okay. I think we need to clear the air."

"Clear the air?" He tilts his head. "I'm fine. You're the one acting all... tense."

"I'm not tense," I snap, a little too quickly. "You aren't fine. You're balting me. You need to stop it. I want us back to being professional."

He chuckles again, his eyes never leaving mine. "Look, I'm just having a bit of fun. You'd prefer I pretend our club night never happened?"

"Yes. That was the arrangement." I narrow my eyes at him, trying to get back on track. "I want to make sure what happened between us doesn't affect our work life. This business is too important to let it be affected." "I'm not affected in the least." Phillip stands up and walks to the water cooler in the comer.

"Look, we need to move past this. What happened that night-maybe it shouldn't have." I know I can't change it but I don't know how to get past it right now either.

"Shouldn't have?" He raises an eyebrow. "Come on, Winona. You don't believe that. You were as into it as I was."

"I do want to get past it." My voice is firm, but inside, I'm wavering, "I'm in love with Jayden. We're getting

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299 Office Tension

married."

Phillip leans back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. There's a pause, and then he shrugs. "I'm not making it weird, you are."

I stare at him. Maybe he's right. It probably is just me feeling awkward. I guess having zero experience at this is not helping me know how to move past it.

"We need to focus on the company," I say, standing up. "Nothing else."

He stands too, his eyes never leaving mine. "I'm always focused, Winona. Laser focus. You don't have to draw me a map."

"Okay then. Let's just... get back to work," I say, turning my back on him and heading toward the door. But even as I walk away, I know his eyes are on me. "I'll take these into the back office." 11

"Anytime you're ready to... debrief, let me know," Phillip calls after me.

I don't respond, but my skin prickles. Damn it, I need to clear my head. Because this is going to drive me Insane if I don't figure out how to feel normal around him.

Maybe I need to ask Lisa. God knows she should have some tips.

My phone buzzes on the desk, jolting me out of my thoughts. I glance at the screen. It's Jayden. I hesitate. for a moment, then swipe to answer.

"Hey," I say, keeping my voice neutral as I lean back in my chair, trying to shake off the awkward tension. lingering from my conversation with Phillip. "Hey," Jayden replies.

"How's your day going?" I ask, shifting the stack of papers in front of me. My heart's still racing a bit, but I try to sound normal.

"Great. Yours?" His tone is light. I think.

"Busy. Lots to catch up on."

There's a pause. I can hear Jayden breathing on the other end of the line, like he's thinking about what to say next

"Is Phillip there?" he finally asks, and I can feel the tension coil again.

I sit up a little straighter. "Yes, he's in the front office. Why? Do you want to talk to him?"

"No. No... I was just wondering..." His voice trails off, and the way he says it sends a small wave of irritation through me.

I tap my fingers on the desk, trying to keep my voice calm. "Are you checking up on me?"

"Of course I'm not," h

says quickly, but I can hear the defensiveness creeping in. "Should I be?"

I feel the heat rise to my face, frustration bubbling up. "What sort of a question is that?"

Jayden sighs, "I only mean, are you handling it okay? You said you had a lot to catch up on. What do you

think I meant?"

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I push the papers away, the tension between us simmering under the surface. "Nothing. I'm just snowed under right now. My brain is mush."

"Okay," he says, but there's something in his voice that tells me he's not convinced. "We'll talk more later?"

"Yeah. I'm looking forward to dinner."

"About that..."

"What?"

"I can't make dinner."

"Why?"

"I'll only be an hour late. The Nexus Global CFO is flying in."

"Why can't he come to the penthouse?"

"I'm not sure that's appropriate for a business meet and greet. It's a little messy right now."

"Well, that's a family, right?"

"Yes. It sure is and I love it. But I need this meeting to be a little less cluttered." Jayden says, his voice softer now, almost tentative. "Right. Well, I guess I'll see you after dinner." I hide my disappointment, Judy's words ringing in my ears.

"Love you. Bye."

I force a smile, even though he can't see it. "Love you too."

I hang up, letting the phone drop onto the desk with a thud.