Page 26 of Sass

He said nothing for a few seconds, and then a smile tugged at his lips. “I guess I can see that.”

I let him go and picked up the coffee instead. “You went for coffee in that?” I nodded to the torrential rain hammering on our windows.

He shrugged. “It wasn’t so bad when I left. But yeah. It sucked coming back.”

More silence as we both took a sip of coffee and studied each other over the rims. Behind Chris, JJ and Tyson were almost pissing themselves with laughter and JJ was fanning her face with her hand. I scowled at them both and offered Chris a towel from our stacks. “Here. Hang up your coat and come out back.”

Chris hesitated just long enough for me to realise exactly how much this whole peace offering was costing his dignity, but eventually he did as I said and I waved him ahead of me down the hall toward the kitchen. Before following him, I made a throat-cutting gesture at my associates, hoping my look conveyed exactly how much trouble they’d be in if I caught them snooping. They stared blankly back with bemused smiles that conveyed exactly how much they didn’t give a single fuck.

I sighed and followed Chris into the kitchen, shutting the door soundly behind us. I gestured him to a chair at the small table and he stared at it like it might bite him in the arse, but eventually sat, albeit begrudgingly. I hid a smile and took the seat opposite, and for a few seconds we sipped on our coffees and stared out the window at the bleak weather, which had plunged the kitchen into gloom. I reached for the light switch just as thunder shook the building.

“For fuck’s sake.” Chris peered through the glass. “When is this going to let up?”

“Forecast says we’ve got it till tomorrow, at least.” I could do small talk. “Sunday looks good though.”

He caught my eye and I glimpsed humour in them. “Sunday, huh?” He almost smiled. “Fancy that.”

Enough already. I held up my coffee. “Forgive me for appearing a little on the backfoot, but this was... unexpected.” I met his gaze. “And surprisingly thoughtful.”

He rolled his eyes. “You’re gonna milk this for all it’s worth, aren’t you?”

I grinned. “Abso-fucking-lutely. Wouldn’t you?”

He snorted and raised his own cup. “Touché.”

I touched my cup to his and we both took a long swallow, our gazes locked like neither believed this détente was actually happening. I might’ve hoped my coffee and pastry deliveries might mellow Chris’s attitude toward me, but there’d never been any guarantee. And even as my heart kicked up, I wasn’t taking any bets. This was Chris’s show now. It was up to him.

Finally, he spoke. “So... I just wanted to say thank you for last night. We had a crazy day and I didn’t get lunch. The hot drink and scroll were much appreciated.”

“Wow.” I couldn’t hold back a laugh. “How did those words feel rolling off your tongue?”

He snorted. “Fucking awful, thanks for asking. So, tell me. What is it with the coffee thing? Are you trying to wear me down?”

I shrugged, not wanting to give too much away. “Yeah, something like that. Breaking through that snarky armour of yours one caffeine shot at a time.”

He sat back and studied me with those shrewd green eyes. “Myarmourdoesn’t seem to have bothered you for two years. Why now?”

Good question, but he wasn’t getting away with things that easily. “In case you’ve forgotten, it’s not exactly my first attempt to talk with you. I just thought maybe the timing was right.”

Chris arched a curious brow. “Is that so?”

When nothing more was forthcoming, I figured it was my turn to offer something. “It’s no skin off my nose to drop you off a coffee now and then. You work hard, Kip. Flare’s lights are often still burning when I finish work, and I know it’s you. Rhys is lucky. You put in long hours for a business that isn’t yours.”

Chris’s eyes widened and red blew back into his cheeks as he looked away. “It’s my job. Rhys is a great boss and I love working there. I want him to succeed.”

“He knows that. And as I said, he’s lucky.”

More silence and a flash of light split the sky before thunder once again rolled through the building, shaking the kitchen to its bones.

Chris pushed back his chair. “I should get back.” He walked his unfinished coffee to the sink and disposed of the contents before throwing the cup in the bin.

I stood and followed suit, desperate for a way to keep him here. I’d worked for this opportunity and I was fucking it up.

Chris reached for the door handle.

It was now or never.

“I never meant to offend you,” I blurted, and Chris froze with his fingers wrapped around the handle. “That night at the party, I... shit,” I fumbled. “It was a stupid thing to say and I didn’t mean it. I’m sorry. Really sorry.”

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