Page 68 of Yours Temporarily

“While I don’t think I’m qualified to take on the role of regional manager, I’m not here to discuss the job.” His eyes hooded, he crosses his arms. “Thanks for thinking about me, but the position also involves you training me. So, first, we’d better settle our personal issues.”

He can receive training from the previous manager, but if I train him myself, he’ll know what I expect from him, rather than having to learn as he goes. “If you’re interested, make sure to send your application to HR by next Friday. It’s a competitive position.”

He sucks in a breath before drawing it out. “I’m here to talk about Zuri.”

A knot tightens my stomach, my defenses going up. “Damien—”

“Don’t even start with me about your office not being the place for personal talk.” He shakes his head and puts on that firm leadership persona he’ll need should he be the regional manager.

I have no choice but to lean my hands on the desk and give him a few minutes of my time. “I have a meeting in”—I glance at my watch—“thirty minutes.”

“Why did you do it?”

I can’t pretend not to know what he’s talking about.

“My sister is miserable, and if you were just acting around her, then you had no right to make her fall for the wrong guy.”

I palm the back of my neck, my muscles tensing. “You said it yourself. I’m not the right person for your sister.”

Perhaps I’m also seeking Damien’s approval. Still, I can’t look at him, so I face the window. The city is active now, near lunchtime.

“Do you like Zuri or not?”

At his question, my gaze jerks his way, unbidden. His nostrils flare, and his pain is a gut punch, forcing me to confront the situation.

“From the start, it was… complicated.” I move my hand on the desktop, needing to stay busy, and reach for my pen beside the keyboard. “The day I slid the ring on her finger, everything clicked. I saw myself spending the rest of my life with her.”

Emotion lodges in my throat, and I struggle to talk around it. So, I tap my pen on my chin, not daring to look at him and reveal how deep I’d fallen. I’m the boss here, and breaking down in front of my employee won’t go in the books.

“At least, you asked her to tell me the truth.” He smirks. “You know she almost burned down the building making me a reconciliation sandwich.” Damien mentions the dispute he had with Zuri over the lie, and I feel responsible. However, his relaxed demeanor reassures me he’s no longer mad at his sister. I can already picture her thoughtfulness in making things right with him—with everyone if she had her way.

“Zuri with her reconciliation meals.” A chuckle escapes my lips. She’d brought me a meal to reconcile the day my mom showed up.

I miss those days when we had lunch together. My lunches lately have been hit or miss. Today, at least, I’ll have lunch with the department heads as we review progress and discuss new objectives for the company strategies.

“What are you going to do about it?” His question draws my gaze to him. His expression softens, and that’s a big deal. But I’m still not prepared for the hint of his smile that follows. “You’re in love with my sister. But have you made it clear you love her, or are you waiting for her to come here and hand-feed you her feelings?”

His question hangs in the air, and I barely hear his farewell as he walks out. No doubt, what I feel for Zuri is love. With her, I experienced emotions I never experienced with anyone.

She’s a chef with a loose schedule, and I’m the guy who always has a plan. But we make a great team. Our conversations flow. Even when we flew back in silence, I felt comfortable just because she was seated next to me. With her, I feel respected, understood, and valued.

My chest rises, and so do I as I pull to stand. I have a meeting soon, which I intend to make, but I need to see Zuri before she leaves. I step out of my office.

Jill tips her chin toward the conference table beyond the watercooler. “Marino got here early.”

“Perfect.” I walk over to where I usually meet with the department heads for in-person meetings. Perhaps Nico can lead the meeting until I get here. I call out as I near the table, and he looks up from his laptop. Frowning.

“Let me guess. You haven’t talked to her yet.” He trains his eyes on me, seeming disappointed after his and Wes’s prep talk on Sunday. “I thought I had problems.”

“I didn’t realize you’re so eager for the meeting.” I stop him from talking about Zuri.

He leans back and drapes a hand over the back of his chair. “You’ll never guess what I got myself into.” He nods a few times. With that grin he’s got going, I might be here for a while, but I still want to know.

“You decided to run for president?” I snicker. “Now that would be something for someone who wasn’t born in America.”

“This is even crazier.” He emphasizes crazier. “I finally agreed to my rock-climbing instructors’ plan for this blind date she’s been nagging me about.” He lifts his hands, shaking his head. “I didn’t realize I was that optimistic, but seriously, do people still go on blind dates?”

“I was fake dating. Didn’t know such a thing existed until I went for it.” Now I’m in love, and I have to tell him about my plan. “I gotta go talk to Zuri. Can we talk about your blind date later?”

---