Page 21 of One Month's Notice

“Don’t be silly.” His face relaxed into a smile. “It would be nice to have some company while I eat for a change.”

“OK, as long as I don’t have to eat in complete silence.”

“No, you don’t!” Michael laughed, and the sound triggered a tiny flutter in her stomach. “But you’re going to have to ask the questions. I’ve never been great at small talk.”

“OK, tell me all about yourself. Where are you from? Have you got any siblings? What do you like to do outside of work?” Nat placed a piece of sushi in her mouth and looked at Michael, her eyes wide and expectant.

“Wow, going straight into the deep stuff!” He picked up his chopsticks, taking his time to align them into the perfect position before picking up a California roll.

“Well, you did say I could ask the questions. And you have an advantage over me as you interviewed me.” She paused to focus on aligning her chopsticks again. “I, on the other hand, know very little about you. Apart from the fact you are very serious and live in an apartment that looks like a show home.”

“I didn’t realise I was going to get an inquisition!” Michael picked up a napkin, folded it, and gently wiped the corner of his mouth. “I also didn’t know I was that serious.”

“You are kidding me?” Nat snorted, lifting her hand to catch a piece of rice before it fell and made a mess on the pristine table.

Michael shrugged his shoulders. “OK, I suppose I can be a little serious at times.”

“When we first met, I told you my name was Nat, but you still choose to call me Natalie.” She narrowed her eyes a fraction. “And I suppose you hate it if people call you Mike, rather than Michael?”

“I just prefer proper names, that’s all.”

“Don’t you think that’s a bit formal, and maybe why you come across as serious?”

“It’s just who I am.”

“Fair enough.” Nat was starting to think stubbornness should be added to his list of personality traits. “So, where are you from?”

“I grew up in the Cotswolds with my mum and dad. No siblings. I left to go to university in London, travelled around for a while, then came back and set up my company.”

Nat waited for him to carry on talking, but he kept his attention on the food.

“That’s it? That’s all you’re going to give me?”

Michael nodded. “There’s not much of a story to tell.”

“Everybody has a story.” Nat held his gaze for a moment. “You just have to want to tell it.” As the intensity grew between them, she looked away and focused on eating the last bits scattered on her plate.

With lunch finally finished, Michael cleared his throat and stood up. “I’ll get these dishes put away and then we’d better get back to work.”

As the rest of the afternoon passed by, Nat noticed more and more of Michael’s little habits. The way he paced up and down when he was talking on the phone. How when he concentrated, he fiddled with his watch strap and ran his tongue along his top teeth. That was by far the most distracting habit of his. She wondered whether she had similar quirks and if he had noticed them. As her mind drifted, imagining him concentrating on her and what he could do with his tongue, she felt a sudden heat rising up her neck and scolded herself for thinking about her boss like that. She knew it would be inappropriate for them to start any kind of relationship. Not that he would be remotely interested in her anyway, and she certainly wasn’t ready for anything since her messy break-up with Joe.

A loud buzz from the intercom interrupted her wandering thoughts. Michael checked the screen and pressed the button to let a visitor into the building. Nat looked expectantly at Michael, but just as he was about to speak, his phone rang. The call connected, and he was immediately deep in conversation. A few moments later, there was a loud knock on the door and he motioned for Nat to answer it.

“Hey!” Nat greeted the visitor as she pulled the door open.

“Oh, hi! I’m Enzo.” The newcomer extended his hand with a friendly infectious smile, his deep brown eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. “And you aren’t who I was expecting to answer the door!”

“Yes, sorry!” Nat laughed and shook his hand. “I’m Nat, Michael’s new PA.”

“Of course, he did mention you.” He raised an eyebrow. “You’ve made quite an impression.”

“Hmmm, not in a good way, unfortunately.”

“You’d be surprised.” Enzo laughed when he saw the puzzled look on Nat’s face. “Anyway, don’t mind him. He’s very serious and his standards are incredibly high, but deep down he’s a real softie. We’ve been best friends since primary school, so I should know!” Enzo’s laughter was contagious, and Nat smiled in return.

He walked into the apartment, Nat following behind him. He was tall and lean, with flawless olive skin and a face framed by curly blonde hair. His whole demeanour exuded charisma, making him instantly likable. Nat couldn’t help but notice the contrast between the quiet calm of Michael and Enzo’s exuberant charm. She wondered how these two seemingly different people had become such good friends.

Michael had just finished his call and slipped his phone into his back pocket.

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