Page 15 of Not the Plan

“Me too. She’s fighting hard to do her regular work and show me the ropes.” He was also avoiding her gaze.

“Has Julian said anything?”If you can tell me.

“I…doubt he understands how serious it is. She said she was a little sick in the district, but it’s ramped up here. And she isn’t telling him how bad things are. Part of me wants to, but…”

“You don’t feel like it’s your place,” Isadora said.

“Exactly.”

She couldn’t imagine joining a team and finding herself in the position of going to a boss she didn’t yet know about the health issues of a coworker. Too personal, too private.

“It’s a difficult position to be in,” she said.

“It is. She’s put a lot of pressure on herself.”

“No, I meant for you.”

“Oh. Well. Yes, it is.” The color that bloomed up his cheeks made her melt. Karim, the demigod,wasshy. “Thank you for noticing,” he said.

She’d been here before. An awkward crush on the cutest boy in the entire freshman class, the oneallthe girls giggled about. He’d paired with her on a science presentation. Heart hammering in her chest every time he spoke to her, she’d stammered and stuttered through three study sessions, her hands trembling, like they were right then. High school, undergrad, and a master’s in public policy under her belt, and here she was, getting flustered by a boy. Shaking her head at herself, she took a deep breath and pulled her shoulders back.

“I guess we can get started,” she said. “Unless you’d like something to drink?”

“Could I have a cup of tea? I stopped drinking coffee so Christina doesn’t smell it, and I’ve been substituting with tea. It’s not strong enough, though. I have to drink a lot to get my dose.”

“Sure.” She left him to make some. While the water was heating, she returned to the doorway.

“That’s kind of you.”

“What is?” His Adam’s apple bobbed.

“Changing your habits so another person feels better. Not much compassion like that around here.” She left to pour his tea.

“No big deal,” he called out. “I’m sure you’d do the same.”

“You are?” She returned, warm cup in hand.

“Of course. You don’t look like a monster; I’d be surprised to learn you’re not a compassionate person.”

“I don’t look like a monster?” She laughed. “WhatdoI look like, then?”

His lips twitched, attention on his tea.

“Like…a very attractive woman.” He met her gaze. “And you seem intelligent, kind, and…discreet.”

Her stomach dropped, and her heart took off.

“Morning!” the delivery man called from the outer office door. He waved the mail in her direction.

“Hello! Please toss it on that desk,” she said, pointing to the one beside him.

“Have a good day.”

“You too.” The interruption allowed her to recover.

She thanked Karim. “Discreet. That’s a new one.”

“It is?”

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