Chapter 20

**Blue**


This is another day I wish would finally end.

Not only did the lunch with Artemis end on a bad note but I had a panic attack in the bathroom. Thank god I made it there before it happened. For a second I thought I had passed but hearing all the things those women were saying had sent me over the edge so fast that I couldn’t even catch my breath.

I hate that I sent Rhea into a panic, but I couldn’t breathe let alone tell her what was happening or that it would pass. She brought Artemis to me hoping he could help, but he has no idea how to. It was a sweet gesture but it reminded me that this role I’m playing is just that…a role. This person isn’t me. Why did I agree to this? Artemis should have chosen someone else. Someone who fits with him even just a little bit.

Still, he was nice enough to take me straight to the car instead of back to that terrible lunch. Unfortunately, I hadn’t had a chance to eat and hadn’t eaten since lunch yesterday, so my stomach made sure that fact was known on the car ride back to the hotel. As if I wasn’t mortified by my panic attack, now my stomach is going off like a truck engine.

What the heck?

Artemis looks at me and my face goes up in flame.

I try to laugh it off. “I guess I forgot to eat for too long.”

“How long?” He asks sternly.

He looks angry again. Or that’s just his normal face. I still can’t tell.

“Bryant, stop by the nearest restaurant so we can get something for Blue to eat.”

“Of course sir,” Bryant says obediently.

“Bryant it’s fine just take us to the hotel,” I say.

He glances between Artemis and me through the rearview mirror feeling clearly torn.

“You need food,” Artemis says in a tone that makes it sound more like an order.

“Hotels have room service.” I remind him and then slump back into my seat. “I just want to veg out on a comfy bed and eat a hamburger with a movie on the TV.”

That sounds so good right now, and something I’ve never done before. It sounds like heaven right now.

“You want to eat the food on the bed?” Artemis sounds like he’s almost offended by the idea.

“Yeah! You’ve never done that before?”

By the disgusted look on his face, I’ll take that as a no.

“Come on doesn’t it sound fun?” I lean closer to him and wiggle my eyebrows at him. “Come on hubby, veg out with me.”

He raises a brow at me but doesn’t show any sign that he’s interested in agreeing.

I shrug and get comfortable again. “More for me then. Have fun eating at a proper table all by yourself.”

Bryant chuckles but quickly covers it by clearing his throat.

“I don’t see how eating in bed is enjoyable, but…” I sit up straight and wait for him to say what I think he is. “I guess I could try it.”

A rush of satisfaction runs through me and I throw a fist in the air with triumph.
“Calm down it’s no big deal.” He grumbles but I ignore him and hum happily.

I just convinced buttoned-up Artemis Rhodes to veg out with me! There is no way you could wipe away the satisfied smirk on my face right now. That was until we step off the elevator and I see Abigail standing at our room door.

“Abigail? What are you doing here?” I ask picking up my speed to meet her.

She smiles. “I have a gift.”

She opens her large purse and pulls out a box a little longer than her hand. It’s too big to be another ring box, and when she holds it out to me my mouth falls open like a goober.

“Mr. Rhodes said you would need a new one and now you can text me any time with any request and I’ll be there.” She holds the box out to me and I hesitate to take it.

It’s a very expensive phone I can see that from the box alone.

“Take it Blue,” Artemis says from behind me. “It’s not like I’m giving you a ring again.”

I hear a hint of annoyance in his voice but I don’t care because I have just been gifted the most beautiful piece of tech I’ve ever seen let alone touched.

“Come on I’ll help you set it up,” Abigail whispers to me.

We follow Artemis inside and I see him standing near the table with the phone provided by the hotel. He turns his back to us when he sees us walk in but I smile because I know what he’s doing.

“So, I see you’ve added something new to your wardrobe,” Abigail says pointing at the dress I’m wearing.

“Yep. Rhea came by and had me all dolled up for lunch today.”
I sit next to her on one of the couches and I get to work opening my new phone. Okay, I know I said I didn’t want any money from Artemis and I stand by that but…this is a really nice phone.

Once I take the top of the box off I see the phone sitting on top shining under the sunlight from the windows. It looks too pretty to touch, so I just stare at it.

“Everything okay?” Abigail asks.

“Yeah. It’s just…so pretty. I’m scared to touch it.”

Abigail laughs and carefully takes the box from me. I let her because she’s handled things like this before so she’ll know how to hold it without breaking it. She takes some protective film off the front of it and I nearly have a heart attack. Doesn’t that protect it?

Oh gosh, this is too much pressure.

“Careful…” I whisper.

She just laughs at me again. I’m glad my fear is amusing to her.

When every small piece of plastic is removed she powers it on. The thing lights up and all sorts of words appear. She works quickly to get through the first few prompts.

“Okay, we need to set up an account for the software to sign you in. What’s your email address?”

She is posed and ready to type it in but I don’t say anything. It’s such a small thing but it’s another thing I’ve never had before. I never bothered going into internet cafes either since I needed the money but also what would I do on a computer?

“I don’t have one.” I finally admit.

She looks at me confused but shrugs. “No problem. Let’s set that up first then.”

I watch her pull out a laptop from her big purse and I’m shocked to see how slim it is. It can’t be thicker than a magazine. How is that possible?

“Alright. So-“

“Add her to the company email,” Artemis says suddenly.

He sits across from us on the other couch and is no longer wearing his jacket. His tie is gone too and his sleeves are rolled up. Abigail blinks at him like he’s an alien from another planet. I guess she’s never seen his relaxed look. Well, I haven’t seen this exact look but I saw a lot more of him than he’s showing right now. The thought of her seeing him without clothes makes me wonder if they were ever a…thing.

Isn’t that a big thing in office settings? The boss has a fling with his assistant. I mean Abigail is gorgeous, so I could see any man wanting to be with her. Suddenly my appetite is gone and I want to slump back into my room and shut myself in there. I’ll make sure to lock the door so asshole Artemis has to find somewhere else to sleep.

“Okay, what should your email address be?” Abigail asks but I can’t think about anything else now.

Why do I care if they had or have a thing? It’s not like Artemis and I do either. Rhea said he was not the type to commit infidelity but we aren’t married yet. Did they hook up in his office? On the couch, I had been sitting on?

I think I’m going to be sick.

“Make it Blue Rhodes,” Artemis says answering for me.

Oh hell no!

“No,” I say firmly and glare at him.

“What?” He asks like he didn’t hear me.

“I said no. I don’t want it to be that. I want something else.”

“Why? It’s going to be your name, and what people will know you by. It makes the most sense.” He leans forward and rests his elbows on his knees.

He reminds me of a lion ready to pounce on its prey. From the look he’s giving me I think I’m about to get bitten and not in a sexy way.

“We aren’t married yet Artemis. There is still time for me to change my mind.”

I know the second I said it that I’ve made a big mistake.