Page 152 of Beyond the Cottage

“He’s a brilliant chemist.”

She nodded dumbly and glanced around the lab.

Open crates lay scattered across the pine floors, spilling their packaging materials. Woodblock tables held a jumble of equipment, and books had been haphazardly stacked on shelves. The room smelled clean, though. Like fresh paint and floor polish.

“You moved quickly,” she said.

“Senator Grey expedited the process. He owns the building, and it had a vacancy. But yes. I’ve been busy.”

“Me too. It feels good to work again.”

His expression remained neutral, but his eyes burned holes in her.

Face warm, she glanced away. “So…”

“So.”

Would they ever be capable of interacting like normal people? Would he evertalkto her again?

“Um,” she said. “I guess we should get to it.”

He flicked his hand at a relatively uncluttered table. Gretta retrieved her bag and sat on a metal stool, and he took the one kitty-corner. A glass thermometer lay at her elbow. She fiddled with it to occupy her hands.

Ansel’s brow lifted expectantly.

“So,” she repeated, overly bright. “Tell me how you’ve been.” Small talk with him felt strange, but it was better than awkward silence. And simply hearing his voice again filled something empty inside her.

“As I said, busy. Mostly with setting up the lab and hiring. You?”

“Still getting my bearings, since I’m not technically qualified for this job. But I’m learning a lot. You wouldn’t believe how much non-fiction I’ve been reading.” And smut. Lady Lovecock would soon be in tatters.

“You’ve taken to the job well, then. I’m not surprised.”

“I have so far, thanks. Which reminds me.” She pulled a file from her bag and gave it to him. Like a complete twit, she practically swooned when he put on his spectacles.

He flipped through pages. “Schematics?”

“For a bankrupt perfume factory. It needs upgrades, but it’s priced below market and perfect for manufacturing repellent. We can set up a time for you to tour it.”

With a short nod, he skimmed the specs. When he finished, he set them aside and stood. “Have Emory go over my schedule with you before you leave.”

“I was hoping for a tour of the lab.”

Frowning, he checked his watch.

Was he already trying to get rid of her?

“If you’re too busy, Emory can do it,” she said. “I don’t want to keep you from anything.”

“I suppose I can fit it in.”

Despite her best effort to remain professional, Gretta chuckled.

His lips quirked the tiniest bit. “Have I said something amusing?”

“Nope. Fit away.”

He led her to the largest table and explained the equipment he’d purchased. Gretta faked interest in an expensive-looking microscope, bending to peer through the eyepiece. When she came up, Ansel glanced away from her ass.

---