Chapter 26

Caroline

*****

"Ever played hooky before?"

I looked up from my laptop to see Marshall walking towards me, two bowls of salad in his hands. He wore his usual classic black suit, a matching tie loosely hanging around his nape. His mouth just barely tilted upwards. I've learnt that his most genuine smiles are the smallest ones. Holding out one of the bowls, he sinks down onto the sofa beside me. I catch a whiff of strawberries and pecans and then a stronger scent of sandalwood and tobacco.

Jesus, he smelled delicious. I accepted the salad bowl and glanced down at the leafy, green contents. There were apple chunks, orange slices, halved strawberries, spinach, diced pecans, cucumber slices, and pieces of baked chicken. I'd never craved a salad more than right then.

"Ah," I said, swallowing while I stabbed a few greens with my fork. "No, actually I mean, I've left for appointments and things but I've never just skipped."

He smirked at me around his fork. "You're almost done with your high s