Page 23 of It Starts With A No

“Five, including me.”

“And you’re the oldest?”

He shook his head. If only—then he could make the final decisions himself. “Zane’s the oldest. I’m second.”

“Do you think it’d help if I told Mr. E that you’re looking for him?”

Seth drew a deep breath through his nose. “I’m not sure.”

She licked her lips. “I was thinking: If he isn’t willing to give you the loan, it’s better to find out right away so you can make alternative arrangements, right? It would be better than dragging this out until the very last minute.”

“I don’t have any alternative arrangements.” He sighed heavily. “The robotics arm may not be earning a lot of money, but it is profitable. And its value would increase significantly if it accepted government deals. People usually have to go chasing such projects, but we were approached.”

“Then just take the deal. You won’t even need the loan then.”

He shook his head. “I wouldn’t allow our technology to be weaponized.”

“Oh.”

“So once word gets out that Movement’s board wants to sell the robotics arm, there will be competition.” He leaned back in his chair. “I’ve been trying to play nice with the board, hoping it’d help with the negotiations once I got the loan. But …” He ran his hand through his hair.

Seth had thought having Edward Eolenfeld’s word was enough, but he was wrong. He should never have placed his trust in that old man.

Poking his tongue into his cheek, he shook his head. “I need to settle this fast.”

Clary’s lips disappeared between her teeth.

“And it isn’t just for Oliver,” he said, not sure why he wanted to convince her that the robotics arm of Movement was so much more. “We build high-tech arms and legs for amputees. We’ve developed technologies for businesses that make work safer and more efficient.” He interlaced his fingers. “Have you ever seen Star Wars?”

She shook her head.

His brows rose, and she laughed.

“Oh, how could I ever be forgiven for committing such an atrocity?”

He grinned. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone weirder than I am.”

“I’m perfectly normal. You know why?” She leaned forward. “Because everyone is weird. Everyone has their weird habits and preferences.” She waved off what she’d said, again with an air of nonchalance.

Yet her words wouldn’t stop bouncing around in his mind. “So you don’t think I’m messed up? Despite the fact that as an adult, after over a decade of not seeing or even thinking about Holly Eolenfeld, I still can’t stand another person’s touch.”

Clary’s tongue darted across her lips. “I still faint when I see too much blood—even after years of therapy.”

“That’s a common condition. Lots of people can’t stand the sight of blood.”

“I’ve seen …” she sighed softly, “way too many children who react like you.”

“They’re children. I’m an adult.”

She laughed and shook her head. “Why do people think that becoming an adult will fix everything, or that we’re supposed to grow out of anything? Is there a magic potion that one’s supposed to drink that will miraculously solve all our problems when we enter adulthood? Because you and I must’ve missed it.”

He gave her a wry smile.

“I’m sorry to tell you this, but you’re not that special. Not in that way. People who are agoraphobic can’t stand people touching them either, so …” She shrugged and gave the glass container a nudge. “You don’t want anymore? If you’re done, I’ll put it back into the fridge.”

Seth pushed aside his plate, then pulled the whole glass container closer. “Let’s not waste food.”

Chapter 5

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