“They’re here,” Taylor, one of the editorial assistants, said, sticking her head in Liam’s office. “Carter wants you in the conference room.”

Liam nodded and pushed up from his desk. He felt like shit. He’d barely slept and the very last thing he wanted was to deal with Carter and this stupid competition.

Mia was at her desk as he stormed out of his office. “Come on,” he said to her over his shoulder. “Carter wants us.”

Mia scrambled after him but he didn’t shorten his stride. It was better if she stayed behind him. He couldn’t smell her shampoo or body lotion or perfume or whatever it was that...