Page 16 of Prickly Romance

I half-levitate out of my chair.

Such betrayal.

While Nova turns burning brown eyes on me, Adam steps behind his assistant and clasps both hands together pleadingly.

I grit my teeth and admit, “It is true. I did call him…”

“Mr. Sazuki,” Nova gives me a prim smile, “I’ve been working with Adam for over six years. You don’t have to cover for him.”

I dip my chin. “Very well then. I won’t.”

Adam’s eyes widen and he flings me an annoyed look.

I shrug and sip my tea, ready to enjoy the show.

Nova swivels on her heels. I have never seen her in anything flat, despite the fact that she is on her feet for hours thanks to Adam’s hectic schedule.

“You were supposed to be in a suit and tie for our meeting with the Rodney investors. I told you repeatedly not to forget.”

“I didn’t forget.” He shakes his head.

The tea is cold.

I lift my hand to order another.

Nova barrels toward Adam. Her head barely meets his shoulder, but one would not guess this by the way he shuffles back.

“Did you stay up all night working on that new invention when Iexplicitlyreminded you to be in bed by nine-thirty?”

“Nova, my brain works on its own time,” he explains. “Once I get an idea, I have to tinker with it—”

“Until four a.m.?” she hisses.

Fear flits into his eyes, but he hides it well and puffs out his chest. “If I choose to work on a project until four a.m. I can do as I damn please.”

A waitress arrives and sets a cup of tea in front of me. I thank her with a nod, lift it and sip all without taking my eyes off the two in front of me.

“Is that so?” Giving Adam a scalding look, Nova fishes in the pocket of her dark red pantsuit, pulls out a cell phone and slams it on the table.

Adam’s face drops immediately.

“I’ve failed my duties as your assistant,” Nova says. “You no longer respect me or my opinions. Since it’s clear you don’t need me, I’ll get out of your hair.”

“Nova, don’t be like that.” Adam reaches for her.

Nova holds up her hand curtly and, with a frosty glare, yanks a lanyard from around her neck.

It gets caught in her braids.

She turns to me. “Mr. Sazuki?”

“Ah, yes.” I set my tea down and gently pry the tail of the lanyard out of her coarse plaits.

Adam purses his lips. “Sazuki, don’t entertain her.”

Nova swipes the lanyard from my palm and smacks it on the table. “I’ll hand in my official notice this evening. You are free to attend the Rodney meeting or spit in the face of the investors. I don’t give a damn.”

I retrieve my tea and blow on top of it. Quite tasty.

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