*At Juliet’s desk (Juliet’s POV)*

Okay so I shouldn’t be pissed off at Justin but right now I am. I mean where does he come off asking me what my heart wants. Okay, I’ll admit I’m not pissed off at him I’m just… I don’t know…confused. Yeah, confused. I mean I don’t want to go back to Kieran but he’s all I’ve known. I mean I’m 24 now and we’ve been dating for 5 years. If it was that easy to walk away I would and not look back. Justin makes it seem so easy. It would be for him, he’s confident, he’s good looking, and he’s talented as hell. He’s everything I’m not. Which is why he will never understand. I so need a smoke break right now.

I pass by his office headed to the outside of the building trying to ignore any eye contact with him right now. “Hey Jules, you going to go smoke?” Trace asks me as I pass his office.

“Yeah, you want me to wait for you?” I ask politely hoping he’ll say no so I don’t have to feel Justin’s questioning gaze any longer than necessary.

“Yeah give me like two seconds,” he says as he gathers up some papers and his pack of cigarettes before falling in step beside me.

“You know, we should stop having little dates like this, the office might get the wrong idea,” he says as he wiggles his eyebrows at me, instantly making all my problems disappear. I really do love working with Trace.

“Oh yeah? Baby I thought the whole office already knew about us. Isn’t that why Katie called me the office mattress?” I say with a laugh as we head out of the building to the little smoke area.

“No honey, that was Angela and was on an episode of the office. I think your TV. Reality and your real reality are getting mixed up,” he explains in all seriousness before bumping my shoulder. “What’s up between you and my boy?”

“Okay, no you can’t do that Trace,” I say as I hit my pack before pulling out a cigarette and lighting it, taking a long drag before expelling the smoke from my lungs, “You can’t joke with me then pull the Justin card.”

“I’m not pulling the Justin card, its just ya’ll have been attached at the hip lately and now you’re rushing past his office like he’s Tom.” He explains as he lights up his cigarette and takes a drag. “Besides you only smoke when you’re stressed out. Which is rarely.”

“He just said some things that got me thinking… things I should have thought about a long time ago.” I say with a sigh.

“About Kieran, because we’ve had this talk before about how you could do better. Don’t go back to him because he’s comfortable. Go back to him because you truly love him and can’t be without him.” He says as I nod my head. My wise little hobbit, he is.

“I know… I know… and that is what Justin said he just worded it better. You evil hobbit,” I say as I crinkle my nose at him and he bumps me with his shoulder causing me to laugh.

“You know you love me. But I better go I have a close up with Alex. I’m gonna go work it.” Trace says trying to act all arrogant but just ends up looking silly and making me laugh again. I can see why he’s Justin’s best friend.

*In the camera interview*

“Okay so just introduce yourself. Tell me what you do.” Alex says as Trace takes a seat in front of him.

“Hi,” Trace says as he gives the camera a small wave, “I’m Trace Ayala, I’m a co-founder of William Rast. I basically oversee everything Justin doesn’t. This is our company, our line and we want to make it the best it can be… can I do that over?” Trace asked as he looked at Alex, “I mean that sounded like I was recruiting for the Army or something.”

“No, its good…we can edit it out if you want.” Alex says throwing Trace a tight smile, “Are you happy with all the employees here?”

“I think we have a great bunch of employees. Everyone knows their job and does it well.” Trace says nervously looking off the side of the camera.

“Really? Justin gave me the impression you all weren’t too happy with Tom.”

“Um… really? We haven’t discussed that.” Trace said sucking in a deep breath.

“Okay, well let’s discuss that… how is Tom doing in the company?”

“There could be improvements but their manageable.” Trace said trying to remain as tight lipped as possible.

“So, it’s not such a great bunch after all.”

“I never said that… the employees that we have working here-” Trace started to say.

“I think we’ve got all we need.” Alex said as he cut him off motioning for the camera guys to wrap it up.

“I wasn’t done…” Trace said as Alex and the camera crew left him in the conference room… alone.

*At Justin’s office (Juliet’s POV) *

“I’m sorry Justin,” I say as walk into his office placing a Pepsi on his desk.

“What’s the Pepsi for?” He asks me as he raises his eyebrow in question. He really is adorable sometimes.

“A peace offering. I didn’t know what you liked so I figured Pepsi was a safe bet.” I explain as I take a seat across from him.

“You have nothing to apologize for Juliet.” He tells me concern shining in his blue eyes.

“No I really should. I’m just confused and torn over this whole Kieran thing. You were right I should listen to my heart,” I say with a sigh before turning from his gaze and see Trace walking out of the conference room with a pissed off look heading to straight to Justin’s office. “This is not good,” I mutter before Trace storms into Justin’s office slamming the door behind him locking him, Justin, and I in it.

“How dare that fucking little prick cut me the hell off like that!” He shouts causing me to jump back in my chair.

“Who?” I ask confused before it dawns on me, “Alex?”

“Yes fucking Alex.” Trace shouts at me.

“Hey, don’t yell at her man. She didn’t do anything,” Justin says as he raises his voice capturing Trace’s attention, “What happened man?”

“He asked me about the employees here. I said they were all great employees right, then he says you implied that Tom wasn’t one of those great employees and I said well there is just some things that need to be tweaked and then he was all like ‘So, its not a great bunch after all.’” Trace says mimicking Alex, “So then I try to explain myself and he fucking cuts me off and walks out of the conference room. So now I look like the frickin’ prick lying on camera.

“I’m sorry Trace, I’ll talk to him. I mean if he wasn’t such a good friend he wouldn’t be here in the first place. I’ll deal with it.” I tell him instantly feeling sorry for ever introducing Alex to them and my workplace.

“Its not your fault. I think Justin and I should have a talk with him first though. I can’t have him starting shit like this.” Trace says in all seriousness. I’ve never seen Trace this upset about anything.

“Okay.” I say quietly as I get up to leave them alone.

“Jules, seriously its not your fault. I want you to know that.” Trace says as he walks up to me and gives me a huge hug lifting me off the ground.