I blinked, snapping back to reality as I stared at the same receptionist who had once led me into this very building when I came to sign the contract. Now she was leaning slightly over the front desk, her expression politely blank, her voice lined with confusion.
“What?” I asked again, this time more sharply. I’d called his line earlier, sure. But I’d assumed he was just busy. Not… unavailable.
“Did he say why?” I asked, forcing my voice to stay even.
She squinted at the open file on her desk, her bright blue eyes narrowed slightly beneath long lashes. Dressed in a fitted black skirt and matching jacket, her high ponytail was perfectly slicked back—not a single hair out of place. She looked really pretty and professional.
“No, ma’am,” she said, looking up again. “He didn’t inform us. W
