章 32: CHAPTER 32: That's Who He Is

　　The air in the boardroom crackled with pre-meeting tension that subsided when the others realized it was just me who entered. I scanned the familiar faces, their expressions a mix of focused determination and nervous anticipation. I'd heard that everyone was intimidated by Alexander and even though he was not mean like his sister, Nicola, his mere presence at meetings made everyone's spine stiffen and I understood them completely.

　　Alexander had a presence that made everything look small close to him or maybe it was the fact that he was just well over six feet with a body that made suits stretch. Shaking my head at the fantasies that occupied my thoughts, my gaze landed on an empty seat next to Shawn, and a flicker of relief washed over me.

　　"Evie! Lovely to see you again," Shawn boomed, his voice thick with charm as I approached. A wide smile stretched across his face, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "And you look fantastic today."