Stealing the Heart of Mr. Steele
Heart 91

Chapter 91 [Cordella]

The only thing harder than running the fashion department at Steele Industries is trying to be friends with Atlas Steele and watching him fall in love with my sister all over again.

And I only have myself to blame. It was after all my idea.

I'm the one who ended things before they even began. He wanted to date me in secret. I don't want to be a secret, not if I am the type of secret that breaks my sister's heart. So I told him that we could only be friends at the office and nothing more.

The first few days I was fine with the new arrangement. If anything it was a relief. I finally have the space in my mind to dig deep into my work. Now that I've found a way to relate with everyone in the design and production departments, they are willing to listen to my ideas. The patterns from my collection are now scanned into the system and the cutting department and sewing department have been working hard to get everything made to my specifications.

Tonight, we will be working on our first big production push. I will be staying late to make sure it gets

done.

I still had to make it through the regular workday as well. I'm planning to leave midday for a very long nap.

Or at least that was my plan until I got a call from upper management demanding my immediate presence.

I knock quietly and when Atlas invites me in, I smile to see his warm gaze in my direction. Butterflies flutter in my belly and our baby gives me a little kick. I return his smile feeling warm all over. "Atlas, you wanted to see me."

11

And then I hear a dainty cough to my right.

"No," Angelica grins, as her girlfriends Summer, Melanie, and Meghan begin tittering at my embarrassment and confusion. "I wanted to see you."

"Why?" I don't even bother to be subtle. It is no secret that Angelica and I haven't been talking to one another for quite some time now. She is more than a little jealous that I am here at the office every day with her fiance and I am more than a little perturbed that I can't date my boyfriend because he is pretending to be her fiance.

It makes it hard to be friends when so many strong feelings are involved. As sisters, we have too much history.

Unfortunately, Atlas doesn't agree. "We thought it would be a nice opportunity for you and the rest of the wedding party to bond this afternoon through a little pre-wedding shopping." Atlas announces. "And then I'll pick you all up for a nice late lunch."

I look towards Atlas, and then back towards Angelica who has a small, satisfied smirk.

"No," I answer bluntly. "I'm too busy. I'm in the middle of finishing my first big production run and..."

"See..." Angelica bemoans. "I told you that she hates me, Atlas. She doesn't want to be at the wedding."

"I think I remember you kicking me out," I counter. "You wanted me out of the wedding."

+25 BONUS

Chapter 91

"That's because my feelings were so confused," she wipes her eyes. Her friends begin staring daggers at me. I can already tell by the tilt of their heads and the way they all fawn over Angelica's words that the four of us will not get along if we are all Angelica's bridesmaids. "But now that Atlas and I have come to a better understanding," she looks over at him demurely "I now know EXACTLY what I mean to him."

She blushes prettily and I feel my anger rise as I consider what they've been up to now that I'm out of the picture. Surely Atlas wouldn't have convinced her in a more physical way...right?

I look over at him for confirmation but he won't meet my gaze. My heart sinks.

"I really without you by my side as my Maid of Honor."

want my sister to be with me at the wedding," she grins shyly. "I couldn't imagine my big da

"I'm sure the department will be fine without you for a couple of hours," Atlas says as he looks out the window.

His words feel cold, distant, and final.

I have no choice.

"I guess so..." my voice trails.

"Perfect!" Angelica smiles a large, Cheshire cat smile, all teeth and false sincerity.

VictoryAnne Vice Author

Something tells me it is a mistake for her to go on this shopping

trip...