It's almost midnight by the time I trudge through the doorway of my apartment. My fingers are numb with cold as I lock the deadbolt and hurry straight to the bathroom. It's much too late for a bath now, but after a hot shower, I dress in my warmest pyjamas. Clambering under my Grandma's patchwork quilt, I sink into the soft mattress... alone. My body is beyond tired, but my head is still keyed up, no doubt thanks to my coffee laced dessert and thoughts of Jay. Huffing to myself, I reach for Elsie's clutch and extract my phone.

The envelope icon indicates unread messages, but I focus on setting an early phone alarm. If only there were some way of having a little sleep in, but I left my handbag filled with my study books at Elsie's. I'm undoubtedly going to be cranky tomorrow, and of course, it's back to back meetings in the office all morning, of which I'm the damn minute-taker. Thinking of that alone makes me groan out loud.

Ignoring all the other notifications on my phone, I click on Elsie's unread message. *Sure, hon, thanks again for everything tonight. Let me know when you get home safely. My shout on coffees tomorrow if you're still keen.*

*I'm home safe. See you tomorrow at Picasso's. Xo* After sending a text back, I lock the screen and stare at my bedroom ceiling. In hindsight, it wouldn't have been an unreasonable request to crash at Elsie's apartment. I would have probably been asleep an hour ago, plus she has a much nicer wardrobe to rummage through in the morning. It's not like she doesn't owe me a favour or anything, but I was foolishly clouded by jealousy and my reluctance to see Gymrat again. Another huff escapes my lips while I batter hopelessly at my wayward thoughts as they drift to a certain someone. But tall, dark and handsome haunts my semi-conscious state all night.

~

It's midday and slowly approaching my fourth hour of consecutive meetings. My eyelids droop as I tap on the laptop's keypad and listen to the monotonous business drivel. I'm definitely regretting not chucking a sickie* or at the very least, getting a double-shot in my latte this morning at Picasso's. While thinking of Picassos, my mind wanders out of the room.

I still feel rude about this morning, but I could scarcely stand to listen while Elsie gave me a rather extensive play by play of her night with Gymrat. As it turns out, Steroids didn't render him useless from the waist down after all. I shouldn't care, it's none of my business, yet there's something about Jay. Something unforgettable, and I can't quite comprehend why Elsie would throw that away. I shake my head, trying to clear the wayward thoughts. It's best to stop now before I begin daydreaming of Jay and his amazing lips.

"Miss McKay, I know you're quite the celebrity at the moment, but you are still employed here, and I expect you to take the minutes." I flush beet red and gape up like a fish. It was the director of the company who spoke. Finn's father, Mr Henry Blake, is more than a little intimidating. I'm utterly shocked he even knows my name, let alone has heard about my recent social media popularity. I've been cautiously avoiding those apps on my phone since Sunday, but perhaps it's gotten worse since then. Worse still, every manager in the room is eyeing me.

"Yes, Mr Blake," I mutter out, silently wishing the hideous swirl patterns on the meeting room carpet would swallow me down into oblivion.

"Come now. You've all been waffling on about golf for the last 15 minutes. I dare say the meetings over. Plus, it's eating into everyone's lunchtime." Finn swoops in, gallantly coming to my rescue. Bless his cotton socks. If I wasn't so profoundly mortified, I'd try to convey my gratefulness with a smile, but I can scarcely raise my eyes from the table.

"Fine. We can close out the meeting unless anyone has any further business?"

I hold my breath as the meeting room descends into silence. Thankfully no one pipes up with anything new at the final moment. I almost sigh aloud in relief as Mr Blake dismisses everyone, but the feelings are cut short as he addresses me. "I want the meeting minutes in my inbox before close of business today." He states, giving me a rather stern expression before exiting the room. Thank goodness I diligently typed up meeting notes before starting to drift off. The Managers file out of the room as I save my notes and power down the clunky meeting room laptop.

The clearing of a throat whips my head up, and I see Finn leaning lazily against the doorframe. He's smiling at me kindly, but still, I can't hold his gaze.

"Sorry about him. He's a bit... strict sometimes." My lips twitch into the ghost of a smile as I internally replace the word strict with something more colourful. Asshole.

"I appreciate what you said. I just don't understand what your father meant by that celebrity comment."

"Well, that was kind of my fault. He may have seen the photo of you and your twin at Embrz... He came into my office to grab a report and saw it on my screen."

"Oh god. The Director saw that? You were looking at it?" I gape across the room in horror, not even bothering to correct him about Elsie. Why does everyone seem to know about the photo? "Oh no. And now everyone in the office is going to know."

"Uh, I'm sorry to tell you this, Kyra, but everyone knew before Monday morning. I mean, the photo's on Embrz Facebook page and was even in the local Sunday paper. Didn't you know?" Finn's doing an excellent job of calming me down.

"I knew about the photo being on social media but the Sunday paper?" Finn nods, and I shake my head forlornly. Goodness, as if I need any more media coverage.

"That photo was such a huge mistake," I grumble out, more to myself. I desperately need to message Aiden and beg him to take the infernal thing down for good. Why on earth didn't I ask him over the weekend. Angrily I switch off the projector, still feeling Finn's eyes boring into me. "Thanks again, but I better get going and get started on these minutes." Finn moves aside to let me pass.

"Or... you could have lunch with me? My way of making up for my Dad's rudeness." He suggests as we walk out of the Meeting Room into the reception area. I glance around, noticing how a few curious eyes land on me and linger. Lisa, the Receptionist's glare, is more like daggers, but I choose to ignore her existence entirely. I'm so exhausted and hungry, but lunch now seems like a luxury I can't take. All I want is to slink back to my desk and hide behind my cubicle for the rest of the day, or better yet, the year.

I snap my head back up to Finn, who's waiting expectantly for my answer. Inviting me to the Friday sundowner is one thing, but lunch together is too much. He may have saved me from his Dad's wrath in the meeting room, but something in my gut warns me off. Perhaps it's because I don't want the rumour mill spinning anymore than it already is.

"Um, could I take a raincheck, please? Maybe another time when your Dad's not expecting the impossible. I already have a ton of work to catch up on, not to mention typing out the meeting minutes before 5 pm." I fidget with my hands as the cringe-worthy over-explanation tumbles out.

"Yeah, of course. Another time when you're free." Finn's eyes crinkle as he smiles, and I quickly scurry back to my desk and begin typing like a fire lit beneath me.

It's 5:30 by the time I've finished my day's work, and I lean back in my desk chair, feeling as all my muscles ache from the tense position they've been in. After shutting down my PC, I reach for my handbag to retrieve my phone. Oddly enough, it's the first time I've touched the device since stepping into the office.

*Hey Elsie, did you know our picture from Embrz was in the paper? Crazy, right!?*

*The paper? As in a newspaper?*

*Yes, a newspaper.*

*Wow, I didn't know people still read them. Is that a good or a bad thing?*

*I think it's bad. Like we need any more publicity!*

*I don't know what to tell you, girl. But that FB post is already plenty popular... What about the publicity do you hate?*

*All of it. I guess; I just liked flying under the radar, you know. Anyways how was your day?*

*Good. I ended things with Jay. He took it a lot better than expected, considering yesterday he wanted to date. He wasn't bitter or angry like I thought.*

*Well, that's good, I guess.*

It's not good. It's awful. Now I'll never get to see Jay again. I'm crestfallen, beyond miserable that she actually went through with it. Can today get any worse?

Almost as if the devil himself heard my thoughts. The familiar voice of Mr Blake sounds nearby, and I do the only logical thing my sleep-addled brain can conjure up. Duck! Like the fully functioning adult I am, I sink to the floor.

"Sorry to waste your time, I didn't think she'd left yet. Her computer log was from barely five minutes ago." The male voice is unfamiliar to me, but the second certainly is, and he doesn't sound happy. Oh shit!

"In any case, she needs to be told. Set up a meeting tomorrow morning... and best not include Finn." The sound of their voices and footsteps drift away as dread spreads through me.

Oh shit, I'm getting fired tomorrow.

~

Author's note: Take care, and thank you so much for reading. Xo

*Chucking a sickie = A great Australian tradition of taking a sick day when you aren't, in fact, unwell.