Page 35 of One Month's Notice

“I needed to talk to him about something important.” Nat offered her defence, but Jamie was having none of it.

“Why not just drop him an email? And what’s the important thing you need to talk about?”

Nat stalled, desperately trying to think up an excuse, but getting nowhere.

“Is it that obvious?” She exhaled slowly, dragging her fingers through her hair and pulling it into a loose ponytail with the band on her wrist.

“Pretty impressing for someone who’s only just getting to know you, huh? Who says men don’t have any emotional intelligence?” A smirk formed on Jamie’s face. “Admit it, Nat, you’ve started catching feelings for him.”

“It’s not like that.” A reluctant smile fought against the annoyance etched on her face. Nat knew he was right, but admitting feelings for Michael felt like stepping onto shaky ground. Ground that she wasn’t ready for. “We should both get back to work.”

“Yes, boss!” Jamie lifted his hand in a salute and turned towards his screen.

Nat’s cursor hovered over an unopened email from Michael.

Subject line: URGENT–Investment Reports.

Natalie,

Spinigma are due at 2 p.m. Please get copies of the attached document printed and bring them to my office as soon as you can.

Regards,

Michael

Nat clicked the reply button and started to type.

Subject line: Re: URGENT–Investment Reports.

Michael,

Of course, I am doing it now.

Nat

She hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to end her signature with a brief ‘x’—a test to see how Michael might respond. How could a simple letter be loaded with such significance? Nat sent the message as it was, deciding she wasn’t ready to find out just yet and certainly not in a way that might leave a digital footprint of any rejection. She put the thought out of her mind and turned to Jamie.

“Looks like we’re close to sealing the deal with Spinigma.”

“It’s getting real.” Jamie clicked the end of his pen repeatedly. “As long as we’re willing to sell our souls to the devil, it could be a game-changer for the company.”

“It could be.” The sentiment in Nat’s tone didn’t match the excitement she knew others in the company were beginning to share about the deal. Especially knowing what it could mean if the court case was successful. She wanted to confide in Jamie, but there would be serious implications if Simon’s firm knew he was the source of what Nat had discovered. She would have to tread carefully.

The machine produced a final hum and beep to signal the printing had finished. Nat gathered the warm pages, tapping them into a neat stack. She walked with purpose down the corridor, trying to shake off the tension from her earlier encounter with Clara that clung to her like a second skin. Pushing open the door to Michael’s office, she found him engrossed in his computer screen, lines of concentration etched across his forehead. As she stepped inside, she inhaled deeply and braced for awkwardness, looking for any sign that Saturday’s kiss had lingered in his thoughts as well as hers.

“Here are the documents you needed.” Nat held her voice steady, despite the relentless fluttering in her chest.

“Ah, thank you, Natalie.” Michael didn’t look up. The use of her full name was a reminder of the formality and distance he liked to keep. He had fully returned to his business demeanour and Nat could sense no trace of the man who had looked at her so differently just days ago.

“The representatives will be here soon.” He finally glanced up. “We need to have everything prepared in the room.” Nat’s breath caught in her throat as she tried to read behind his piercing blue eyes.

“Of course.” A rush of mixed feelings washed over her. In some ways, Nat was relieved he was behaving as if nothing had happened between them. Working together could have been very awkward. But she couldn’t help but feel a tiny pang of hurt. Even though she knew getting into a relationship was a terrible idea, a part of her was intrigued to see where things might progress. Deep down, she had hoped to see even just a hint that he might feel the same.

Clara sauntered back into the office, her hair a fiery halo around her pointed features. She leaned in close to Michael, her fingertips grazing his shoulder.

“I’ve just seen the car pull up outside. Perhaps Natalie should get the coffee ready.” Her voice dripped with condescension. Nat hated the way she echoed Michael’s use of her full name. With him, it felt like a special connection—something just between them. But when Clara used her name, the word felt tainted—thick with layers of belittlement and disrespect.

“Actually, I—” Nat began, but a sharp look from Clara cut her off. “Sure, I’ll see to it.” Each word tasted sour on her tongue as she left the office.

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