Page 36 of Love Not Qualified

I stayed silent, not really knowing what to say. She was right, it could’ve been the biggest failure of Graves Automobile’s history, but if it worked, it was going to change everything. Gorig and Graves had a great future ahead in a partnership—they were the best with tech and we specialized in design.

How didn’t I think of this sooner? I was so focused on working with them that I thought sending a few emails with our offers and growth over the years was going to get it done for me.

My gaze swept to her, where two deep purple bags rested under her eyes. When she said she’d fix it, I didn’t buy it for a second. “You didn’t sleep all night?”

She looked from side to side, probably not believing this was the first thing I said after her genius speech, and then shook her head. “No.”

Fuck me for thinking it was hot she didn’t sleep a wink all night to come up with the best solution to partner with Gorig.

I rose to my feet, buttoning my coat. “Then we better get going. It wouldn’t be fair for all of that work to be thrown awaybecause I do things traditionally,” I said, and watched how her eyes were about to fly out of their sockets. “If we get a meeting, the job is yours. If we get a contract, your salary will skyrocket.”

TWELVE

HAELYN

A tentative smile formed on my lips as surprise sank deeply into my bones. My breaths came out uneven and unnatural as I threw a double take at Mr. Graves, who was now towering over me with expectation. He was waiting for me to turn around and head to Gorig, but I hadn’t fully absorbed his approval.

Did he like my idea that much?

I skimmed my gaze over the rough skin of his chin until it landed on a deep set of piercing green eyes. My mouth moved of its own accord under the heavy spell of his stare. “Are you serious?” My voice came out as a whisper.

“Do I look like the type to joke?” His question didn’t sound like one, but more like a fact I should’ve picked up about him sooner. With his attention still anchored on my face, he clutched the documents held tight to my chest and laid them on his desk. “After you.” Mr. Graves’ hand stretched beside my body toward the exit, his skin barely grazing over my shirt.

And to think I had no intention of coming to his office this morning, knowing I still had six days left to solve the Gorig problem. There were rare moments when the first idea that popped into my head was the best one, so I doubted myself about presenting Mr. Graves something so… unconventional.

Yet the more I thought about it, the more confidence I gained. Now that he had agreed to my suggestion, I walked out of his office with my chest pushed forward and my chin lifted in the air.

At every job I had, I always did my best to be a good employee, and with that, small wins tagged along as well. But this was different. Even if we hadn’t accomplished anything yet, my heart swelled with pride.

I bit my bottom lip as Mr. Graves called the elevator, his presence burning hot behind me. His breath fell over my neck and with an unconscious move I touched the skin there.

The doors slid open and we walked inside, both of us turning to face the exit.

I always envied others for having a clear path in life or even those who had a hobby, but what if I finally found my purpose?

What if this was what I was good at?

“Do you have a speech in mind?” His guttural voice interrupted my thoughts.

Did I have a speech? What did he mean? Until two minutes ago I thought my idea was shit. I never thought about anything further than convincing him to accept.

“Other than grovel and explain?” I lifted my shoulders and a brow.

The door opened and we moved stepped out, but before I could, a hand grabbed my wrist and turned me around. The air was knocked out of my lungs even though he let my hand go as soon as I faced him.

My throat dried with a swallow. The look on his face made me doubt if it was better to run or come up with an excuse. I ignored the scent of alcohol, then took a step back.

I glanced up at him as his lips moved. “Is that your brilliant plan?”

I took a step back, smoothing my shirt even if it was perfectly ironed. I checked twice before leaving my house. “I’m good at improvising,” I said, my eyes pointed at the shoes I had on.

Mr. Graves sighed, threading a hand through his hair. “For fuck’s sake, I can’t believe I’m putting the future of the company in the hands of a novice who counts on her skill of improvising.”

I opened my mouth with the intention of saying, "Did you ever get a meeting with Gorig that I’m unaware of?” but I bit it back. Mr. Graves was my boss and talking back to him wasn’t what I was here to do.

So instead of letting my mind speak for me, I looked him in the eye, hoping he could see how sincere I was. “I promise I’ll do everything in my power to get you that contract.”

He was silent for a moment, and my heart thumped so loudly I heard its beats in my ears. Only when he nodded did I allow myself to breathe.

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