LAUREN'S POV

“You want me to purposely refuse you this job opportunity without even getting to know if you’re fit for the job because you think I might take revenge on you for how you spoke to me last night?” he asked, his voice firm and steady, while leaning back in his chair like he had all the time in the world. His eyes locked on me, sharp but unreadable, and that casual confidence in his tone made me shift uncomfortably in my seat.

“I don’t think so, I know so,” I replied, refusing to break eye contact. My words came out harsher than I intended, but my chest was...