Begin Again novel Chapter 81

A gentle tap on the door pulled Liam away from his laptop, and he was surprised when Eden walked in with a file in her hand.

He didn't expect to see her before the marketing meeting after lunch, and he certainly didn't think she would ever want to come to his office again willingly considering their last showdown in this very room.

This sudden turn of events pleased him greatly.

He gawked at her openly, taking in every little thing about her, from her side-swept hair to the black knee-length dress and matching pumps she wore.

Was she always so pretty, or did it happen overnight?

Was that even possible?

Good grief, why was he even noticing how pretty she is when he should still be annoyed with her?

"Mr Anderson," Eden said from the door, and he waved her over.

"What can I do for you?" Liam asked softly, praying he doesn't say something stupid to mess up this golden opportunity.

Now's his chance to make things right with her and start working on his plan to win her over.

Matthew's stern words about the lawyer had bothered him the whole weekend, and he'd come to a firm conclusion. There's no way he'd push her into the attorney's arms and allow whatever it is that Isaac Jones was trying to start with her to flourish—

"—The research you asked for on influencers," Eden said, dropping the folder on his desk. "I know it's been a month already, but Gibby kept me busy with the training and handover. If it's too late, you can always discard it."

It was too late; his research team had already compiled all the data he needed. But he didn't have the heart to disappoint her.

"You could have emailed it," he murmured, hoping his voice was gentle.

It wasn't.

Eden looked ill at ease as she avoided his gaze.

"I didn't know what your preference is," she replied, still looking at the furniture in the room and her pretty shoes. "Anyway, thanks for loaning me your blazer. It's at the dry cleaner’s. It should be ready in a day or two. I'll return it soon."

Liam didn't care about the jacket; she can keep it for all he cares; after all, she kept his shirt. One more item—maybe his pants—and she'll have a full outfit of his.

What he did care about though was her headspace.

The edge in his voice made her think twice. She paused mid-step, her shoulders sagging in defeat.

Liam's heart leapt out of control when he finally stood in front of her, every part of him aching for her. "Look at me."

Eden finally looked up, tears glimmering in her eyes.

He gently pulled her close and wiped them away. "I know I haven't been good to you over the past few weeks. The stuff with Linda, I admit I could have handled it better. As you're well aware, I need you for my recovery, and the last thing I want is to push you away. Please give me a chance to fix things."

He kissed her forehead, and he felt her tense up in his arms, and he knew there, and then it would take a whole lot more than a sorry to get in her good books.

She was furious with him, and her tears were not a sign of her hurt only, but her anger too.

"This is not appropriate behaviour between boss and employee." Her words hit him like a bucket of cold water, and for an insane minute he thought he'd imagined them.

"I know you held me at La Famiglia, and that was my fault, I shouldn't have allowed that." Eden carried on, raising her chin stubbornly. "But I thought I made myself clear last week, Mr Anderson. You shouldn't touch me or hold me or kiss me in any way. You are my boss."

She was right, of course. As much as it pained him to let her go, he released her from his grasp.