Page 118 of Time Stops With You

Did he say something funny? I didn’t get the joke.

What I am getting is a heat stroke.

But it’s not because Cullen is hot. I mean, sure, he has a nice jaw line. And he’s cute the rare times he smiles.

Like he’s smiling now.

But it’s a proven phenomenon that all men look better in a uniform or when they’re good at their jobs.

And, sure, Cullen is crazy but he’s also, clearly, a genius because the other super smart people in this room are hanging on his every word. I even hear a few smattering keyboard clacks as people take notes.

Cullen flashes another easy smile while pushing up the sleeve of his hoodie. He gestures with those long, pale hands and my heart starts beating double time.

Somehow, in the middle of his speech, he notices me sitting at the back. He stops talking abruptly.

I flinch, wondering if my admiration is showing on my face. Before I can coach my expression into something close to the anger and disgust I’msupposedto feel, the very corner of his lips tilts up.

I can’t look away. I can’t even breathe.

That tiny twitch of his mouth is just for me.

And I realize, right then and there, that there’s no way of getting off this roller coaster. Ronan Cullen has me by the throat and all I can do is strap in for the ride.

Thirteen

CULLEN

I’m trying to concentrate on the conversation happening between Dr. Young, Dr. Ko and Josiah, but my thoughts keep racing back to Nardi.

She’s hanging in the back of the conference room, eyes locked on her phone, looking bored and out of it.

I wanted to approach her the moment the presentation ended, but I keep getting caught up. With every step I take in her direction, someone stops me to talk.

On one hand, I’m pleased by the positive reception to Dr. Ko’s speech. Since the copycat problem and the lawsuit against Cullen Tech, morale has been down. We’ve been through a lot as a team and there’s more to come.

We’re still in the middle of a lawsuit, and the simulation needs to be ready for the board meeting.

It’s been a rough couple of weeks and it will get worse, for sure. I’m glad that Dr. Ko’s speech was so inspiring and reminded everyone of our commitment to pilotless commercial planes.

However, I’m massively distracted.

I can’t stop looking over at Nardi.

She looks back at me and frustration tightens her lips. I’m not surprised by the frosty stare. There are many reasons she could be upset.

Starting with me sending Ashley over without telling her.

And me picking up Josiah from school without asking her.

Among a variety of other wrongs that I might not be aware of.

“Cullen? Cullen?” Dr. Young waves to get my attention. “What do you think?”

I get a summary of the information I missed and give a satisfactory response. When I’m done, the older men nod in agreement while Josiah jots down notes on his phone. He seems particularly invigorated. I know he’s going to remember this day for the rest of his life.

My eyes flick to the back of the room. The chair Nardi occupied is empty. Did she leave already?

I spin around, frantically searching every face until I spot her. She’s halfway to the door, talking to Asad. He’s saying something that makes her smile. A frown instantly takes over my face. I excuse myself from the conversation with Dr. Ko and head in her direction.

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