Page 18 of Not the Plan

“It’s great to meet you,” Karim said, heartily shaking RJ’s hand between both of his. “One of my brothers rowed for Michigan. He’s a big fan of yours. He won’t believe it when I tell him I met you.”

Isadora ducked her head down, pressing her lips together. Karim couldn’t have scored more points with RJ if he’d tried. She returned to her seat, and Karim did as well, while RJ pulled out the third chair and eased into it. He was fighting hard to maintain a professional exterior, but the tips of his ears were bright pink.

“Wow,” he said. “Thanks.”

Coughing to stifle a giggle, Isadora smiled at both men and started the meeting again. RJ provided several options for the appropriations issue. Karim preferred checking in with Julian before agreeing. Once he and Isadora set the final meeting for the following week, he excused himself to find Christina. Escorting Karim to the door, she closed it behind him and swiveled to face RJ, finally able to let her jaw drop.

“He knows who you are,” she singsonged, dancing back to RJ as his ears and his cheeks bloomed pink again.

“Shut up,” he said, his tone in contrast to his grin. “That never happens.”

Isadora giggled. “I know! I’m so happy for you.”

“Should you be? I didn’t handle it like a total goober? I barely said anything.”

“You played it cool.” She shrugged.

Picking up his notepad, he joined her in the outer office.

“Not that cool. But thank you for the heads-up. Otherwise, I’d have walked in here and made a fool of myself before he even said anything.”

“I know, right?” She went over to start the coffee. “He is pretty attractive.”

RJ stared at her.

“Oh all right! He’s sexy, he’s sexy, so what?” She faltered, scooping more coffee next to the machine than into the filter. RJ smirked.

“What do you mean ‘So what’? If he’s not interested in me, he had better be interested in you.”

“What good would it do if he’s interested in either one of us?”

“I know. He works for Julian. How long has he been there?”

“Not long.” Isadora shrugged.

RJ raised an eyebrow. “Maybe we could turn him!”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“Not a bit. You are gorgeous. The only person around here more gorgeous than you, is me. Either way, he should be receptive to our charms.”

She shook her head. RJ kept smiling.

“Come on. You know you want to.”

“RJ.”

“It’s been a while…”

“Don’t start.”

“Seriously, how long has it been?”

She rolled her eyes and poured herself some coffee.

“That long? God, woman, you should have come with me on vacation this summer. I had my pick.”

“Last I checked, we shop in the same store. Just not on the same aisle,” she said over the rim of her cup. “And you know I can’t be browsing around Julian’s staff!”

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