Chapter 53

TESSA

One Year Ago

I’m walking down the hallway, hunting for Mr. Harris—my boss who definitely gets a kick out of mispronouncing my last name.

It’s Orlov.

Not Ralov.

Thanks for nothing, Dad. Pretty much the only thing he gave me was a last name people can’t say right.

Just as I’m about to round the corner, someone yanks me into an open door.

I nearly scream—until I see him.

Those grey-blue eyes. That stupid heart-melting smile.

“You really couldn’t wait ‘til I clocked out, huh?” I breathe out, pulse still racing.

Lyle’s standing there, leaning in close. His strawberry blond hair is damp—probably sweat—and somehow, it makes him look even hotter. It should be illegal.

My heart skips. Then trips. Then forgets how to beat entirely.

“It takes everything in me not to lock you in my apartment and throw away the key,” he says, voice low and rough, “just so no one else can even look at you.”

God. He really k