One White Lie: Barrington Billionaire's Series: Book One by Jeannette Winters Page A

and fix whatever had gone wrong with them so maybe she could have her happily ever after. But if changing the past meant not having Nicholas, then she was okay with how things were.
    “I don’t know him that well anymore. But I do believe things will change after he completes what he is working on. The stress is evident by the hours he works.”
    “I hope so, Lena. So why don’t we talk about something happy?” Zoey smiled, yet her smile was obviously forced. “Have you any pictures of your little one?”
    If she said no, then Zoey would questions what type of mother isn’t out there bragging about her son, and if she did, that would only encourage the conversation to keep going. Grabbing her cell phone, she pretended to look at the time. “Oh, my. I forgot the time. I need to get back to the office. There is a call I have scheduled, and I am going to be late.” Getting up from her chair, she picked up her purse and put twenty dollars on the table to cover her sandwich. “I better run, but we will have to get together again soon.”
    Lena waved and quickly made her exit. Only when the brisk air hit her face did she realize she had been holding her breath. Not doing that again.

Chapter Ten

    T he rest of the week went off without issue. Brice stopped by her desk and asked how she was. He never mentioned the flowers, and she didn’t either. She and Brice had reached a good spot. Pleasant to each other. As one would expect in any other job.
    After her lunch with Zoey, she had to admit her mind frequently wandered back and forth between who Brice had been and who he was now. Every so often, a glimpse of what was could be seen in his eyes, when they were a soft gray, not so full of anger. But she knew Zoey was wrong. The change within him didn’t have anything to do with not being with her. That change may have happened the day they broke up, but it had taken place even before she’d laid eyes on him. If his family didn’t know the cause, how was she ever going to be able to figure it out? It’s none of my business. If he wants to be unhappy, that is on him. I don’t care in the least.
    If only that were true. The sadness in Zoey’s eyes as she spoke of her brother still troubled her. If Brice didn’t care, then he needed to know others did.
    Mustering all her confidence, she waited patiently for him to come by her desk for his coffee. Today was the day she would ask. What exactly wasn’t yet clear, but she was going to ask him something.
    Instead, that changed with an early call from Brice.
    “No calls today. Absolutely no one. Understood?”
    “Yes sir, Mr. Henderson.” A bit grumpier than usual. Glad you didn’t stop by today.
    The rest of the morning went by quickly. It was almost noon, and she was about to head out for lunch. When the phone rang, she almost let it go to voice mail, but something in her said to take the call. “Good morning, B&H Advance Engineering, Mr. Henderson’s office. How may I help you?”
    “Nancy, where is he? He’s not picking up his cell phone.”
    She didn’t recognize the voice or the number. He also seemed so angry he hadn’t noticed she wasn’t Nancy. We don’t sound anything alike. No matter who he was, she still wasn’t going to transfer him, so he might as well get ready to leave a message like everyone else. She wasn’t about to be bullied. Not by him or anyone else. “Excuse me, who’s calling please?”
    The man questioned, “Who is this?”
    “My name is Lena, and I am Mr. Henderson’s personal assistant.”
    “Since when?”
    Really? Don’t tell me this is another one of Brice’s brothers because this is ridiculous. She wasn’t about to divulge any information or play any of their games. I should have let it go to voice mail. Ignoring his question, she asked again but in a firmer tone. “And your name is?”
    “Barrington. Asher Barrington.”
    Lena felt her heart drop into the pit of her stomach. Brice’s partner. Shit!
    She’d never met him