CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR – SHE WAS SET UP!

Karina felt her stomach drop at Ashley's words, dread pooling in her gut. Of course the one person she desperately wanted to avoid after the massively inappropriate kiss was now requesting her presence. She struggled to keep her expression neutral, not wanting to reveal her inner turmoil to Ashley. "I'm not sure why Mr. Hardy wants to see me," she replied evenly, hoping her voice sounded more composed than she felt. "But I'll head up to his office once we're finished here, like he requested." Ashley watched her reaction closely for a moment before seeming to accept Karina's claim of nonchalance. "Well, try not to look so petrified," she teased lightly. "I'm sure it's nothing too scandalous. He probably just wants to discuss work things." Nodding wordlessly, Karina excused herself to the restroom for a few minutes of reprieve. She splashed some cool water on her face, taking deep breaths to calm her rattled nerves. This was it - the moment she had been dreading. John was surely goin