It was my first day working for Grayson. He wasn't kidding when he said he needed someone right away. I've done secretarial work before in my long list of odd jobs, but I don't think anything could have prepared me for the stack of paperwork on the desk outside his office.

"I'm sorry it's a little messy. I've been borrowing my friend's secretary when he can spare her, but we've got a big case we're working on right now." Grayson explains hurriedly. "I would normally bring Marcie here to show you the ropes, but I'm just going to have to give you a quick crash course for now if that's okay?"

I nod, feeling the bun my hair was in start to slip with the movement. I'll put it in a ponytail when he's done showing me around.

A few people say hello, but most just dip their head at Grayson. Most of it was pretty explanatory: how he likes his coffee, where the break room is, where the filing room is, etc. "Most of the calls you'll get will come from other floors or offices in the firm. If it's a client themselves calling, make sure it's an emergency before interrupting what I'm doing to transfer the call to my office. If it's my mom... just tell her I'm in a meeting or not in the office. That information is probably the most important thing you'll do here." I smile at first, but then I realize he's serious.

"Got it. Meeting or out of the office." I repeat writing down the key things on the notepad in my hand.

"Marcie is a freak about knowing everything that goes on so she likes to use her phone to listen in on my calls. It is helpful because she has appointments scheduled before the call even ends." Grayson tells me which I make another note of.

"So what is this big case you guys have right now?" I ask keeping up with him as we walk back towards my desk and Grayson's office.

"You know how Hayes is the CEO of Benson Pharmaceuticals and that Maddox is the COO?" He asks glancing back at me to make sure I'm paying attention.

I nod, beckoning him to continue. Dean gave me a quick run down of the family business and how Hayes has been trying to get control of the company.

"Well for a while we've been building a case to remove the last few stragglers from his dad's days of owning the company. We finally got what we need to get rid of them while getting their shares in the company for a low price. The next few days we'll be crossing our t's and dotting our i's to make sure that we caught any loophole they could find. It's been a long time coming so we have to catch everything."

When Dean told me that Hayes didn't have complete control, I was shocked. I mean isn't that kinda what a CEO is supposed to have over their company?

"Got it," I say and Grayson smiles at me.

"I really appreciate you taking the job. It's a big help to me. Tessa volunteered to try, but I've always said I would keep work and family separate. I've got some work to do, but most of the files on your desk just need copied and sorted into the files in the bottom drawer."

Even with all the files on my desk to go through, it gives me something to do. My limp is practically gone from the fire two weeks ago and I was able to ditch my crutches Tuesday. The booties I'm wearing today hid the yellowing bruise on my ankle and I'm happy to report that I'm no longer walking like Bambi.

I was surprised to hear from Dean on Sunday, but it was a nice surprise.

Quinn was in front of the coffeemaker pouring a glass with rings of dark makeup under her eyes, wearing only a large t-shirt that barely covers everything. I was reading some magazine talking about the upcoming fashions for the year I'm sure Ruth will want to debate later. I should probably call her to let her know how last night went.

Honestly though, I'm not sure how last night went. Dean was hot and cold all night which made sense after Paige showed up. It was obvious to me, but none of the others noticed how weird they were acting around each other.

Oh god, and then when Paige asked what my story was? My story is so much more confusing than the one I told last night because I'm not about to bare my soul to people I met once. Well Dean three times. Still no reason to get into it yet.

It was strange though being in the same room as people I've read about in magazines for years. They were all surprisingly down to earth. I had no idea what to expect from any of them, but Cassidy seemed to be the most relatable one.

She understood how overwhelming it was to meet all of them considering she went through the same thing not so long ago. I remember seeing all the articles last year about how her and Maddox's relationship and then Paige coming back.

At dinner, I hadn't quite placed where I knew Paige from, but once I figured it out I had a lot more respect for her. Paige was hard to figure out; how she went through everything as a prisoner and still made it back is incredible. I'm just not quite sure what to think about her and Dean. She was Maddox's fiancé after all.

Based on the short conversation Dean and I had about it last night, I don't think he knows what to think either. Dean might think they're just messing around, but based on the looks she gave me all night for coming with him, I have a suspicion Paige likes him a bit more than she lets on.

"How was your night?" I ask as Quinn turns around to sip on her coffee.

"It was a blast, I would have invited you, but I'm pretty sure it isn't your scene." Her chuckle tells me that it probably definitely wasn't my scene.

"Oh gotcha," I nod, choosing to look back at my magazine. That's how pretty much ever conversation with Quinn goes and it's exhausting living with her. Not that I would ever admit it to everyone.

She's not all bad, just a little hard to find the good sometimes.

"What did you do last night?" She asks more out of politeness than interest. Her bored tone clearly expresses that.

"I went out to dinner with some friends. Just a low-key night," I say even though it was anything but low-key.

"Oh fun." She hums taking another drink of coffee. A knock at the door saves us from the rest of an awkward conversation where we tiptoe around the other. "I'll get it," Quinn volunteers, moving to open the door. It's probably one of her friends so it's probably time for me to hide in my room.

"Hey, you must be Lacey's roommate. Is she here?" I hear a familiar voice ask and my attention shoots to the door.

Quinn opens it further revealing me on the couch, "It's for you."

I set the magazine down as I attempt to straighten my clothes out. "Dean what are you doing here?"

He holds up a brown bag and two cups on a drink carrier. "I promised you a drink last night and didn't follow through. Figured I would stop by with coffee and donuts."

"I thought cops were the ones that liked donuts?" I ask as Quinn resumes her position in the kitchen. Dean gives her a short smile before passing me a cup and the bag.

"I happen to love donuts so I think it's stereotypical of you to assume that cops are the only ones who enjoy them." He scoffs taking a seat next to me on the couch. "I'm sorry to just drop by, I would have called but I was in the neighborhood."

I smile at him, shaking my head. "It's not a problem, I just didn't think I'd be seeing you so soon."

Dean shrugs giving me his heart-stopping smile. "I'm full of surprises."

"Last night proved that," I mumble taking a sip of my coffee.

Over Dean's shoulder I can see Quinn staring at us-well not us-at Dean. I thought her type was the kind with too much eyeliner and ripped jeans. Not a guy with messy curls and nice clothes. The only thing that would really make sense is the leather jacket, but still.

I've put a small dent in the workload on my desk when a dark haired man in a suit approaches the desk, "Who are you?"

I give him a smile and offer him my hand, "Lacey Edwards. I'm filling in on Grayson's desk for a bit. Can I help you?"

"Will Thompson. Where did he find you?" He asks giving me a smile and I resist the urge to laugh. This guy is way older than me which makes it even funnier.

"At a dinner with Dean Benson." I reply maintaining my smile. I take a gamble using his name which I know I shouldn't do, but it's not like it's a lie. Just me omitting that we were there as friends.

He puts his hands up in defeat, "Got it. Is Gray busy?"

I check the phone sitting next to me which has been hooked up to show when he's on a call. "Actually it looks like he's on a call right now. Can I take a message?"

"No, it's okay. I'll just catch him later. Nice meeting you Lacey, I think you'll fit in just fine here."

Gosh, I really hope so. "Thank you. I really appreciate that."

After Will walks away, I hit the button to listen into Grayson's call. The call must have gone straight to his office line because it wasn't sent to me first. "-ing. We have to do this by the first of the month. Gray, I don't think I need to tell you it has to be perfect. If my dad catches wind that we're planning to boot his last ties to the company, it's not going to go well."

"Hayes you're telling me something I already know. It's tight lipped within the group I've got working on it. The only people who know we're planning on getting rid of a third of your board is me, you, and Maddox. I didn't even tell Will." Grayson's voice filters through and I flip through another document as the conversation continues.

"I'm sorry, I need this to go smoothly. I'm a little on edge if you can't tell. Ever since he got the all clear from his doctor, I think he's going to try and take back over. He's been poking through our financials, " Hayes says tiredly. I feel bad for him. I can't imagine going through what he's going through. My parents have never been anything but supportive.

A short sound starts to play from my phone signaling an alarm. I put the phone down having heard enough to have a gist of what's going on, but these are more important that hearing that conversation.