Page 24 of Not the Plan

She scrolled back through the emails. He’d said “Hello,” she’d said “Hi,” then he’d said “Hello again.”Why didn’t I just say “Hi again”? Why did I have to make it weird? Wait. Am I overthinking this?She looked at her phone again, scrolling through the emails.Nope. Weird. I totally made it weird.Mortified, her stomach prickly with anxiety, she returned the phone to its spot, clicked the TV and lights off, and marched herself straight to bed.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Karim

On Monday night, Karim ironed his moss green dress shirt, lips in a tight, painful line. Julian had set him up for a shitty morning.

Across a table from Isadora in less than twelve hours, he had to try to convince her to reorganize the freeway bill into something that would make her boss look like a weakling and his, a power broker. He hadn’t asked Julian why he wanted the changes he’d sent Sunday morning, but Karim was sure he’d had more than his ego stroked at Ike’s. The lithe representatives of several lobbying firms had probably jammed his head full of the ways their clients might benefit and how eager they would be to show their appreciation. It would have lowered Karim’s opinion of Julian to know for sure that he was unfaithful, but as the practice was so common, and Julian didn’t seem the type to restrain himself from any sort of pleasure…Julian’s fun over the weekend meant Karim got stuck dealing with the fallout.

Thanks a lot, boss.

Christina was back in the district, so Karim would be alone with Isadora. He should have been thrilled. Instead, he was angry, his emotions still running high from trying to convince Julian to be more reasonable, without pushing too hard. Desperate for anything that might help Isadora hate him less, Karim chose the shirt she’d complimented him on. At a fine foods shop, he’d purchased the nicest coffee available to brew for her tomorrow. He’dconsidered stopping for pastries on his way to the office, but he didn’t want to go overboard.

The knot in his stomach grew tighter as the evening progressed. The contractors Julian had already spoken with had difficult histories with Daniel according to some articles Karim had found. And as he expected, it was illegal in California to promise state work to anyone before the bidding process. He’d checked detailed maps of San Diego, and of course Julian’s desired changes also meant work in his district would begin months before Daniel’s.

Either he’s completely out of his mind, or he’s doing everything possible to force Daniel to kill this bill.

—

The next morning at the office, Karim had trouble keeping still. The coffee was made, and his laptop was open on the meeting table, along with two copies of Julian’s suggestions. He’d considered making only one copy so that he’d have an excuse to lean over the list with her, but he didn’t want to be a creep.

He went back to his office and double-checked that he hadn’t forgotten anything useful; back to the coffeepot to ensure he had creamer and sugar and stirrers. And then back into Julian’s personal office, the only space large enough for the separate table for the meeting. He was getting on his own nerves.

—

Returning from the men’s room, a woman’s laughter floated down the hall. He turned the corner, and there was Isadora, her back to him, in an indigo blouse and a fitted cream skirt. He wanted to fall into the depth of that blue, but the curves under the cream snapped him to attention. She was chatting with a man he didn’t recognize. He was shorter than Karim, blond and built like a linebacker. The man’s face switched from flirty to serious but polite as he and Karim nodded a hello. Isadora followed the linebacker’s attention, greeting Karim as well. He returned the gesture and continued on his way.

Of course.He’d been so mesmerized by her that he hadn’t thought about competition from men who’d already gained her trust.Maybe they’re just friends. Then again, Laila had lots of “just friends” over the years.He shook his head, clearing bad memories.No. It’s for the best. Starting over starts with work.He would focus on his job—trying to satisfy as many of Julian’s demands as possible. Begin building his reputation as professional in any circumstance.

—

Isadora knocked on the open outer office door. He invited her in, stepping out of his office to her right and smiling.

“How are you today?” he asked, offering his hand.

“I’m well, and you?” She returned his handshake, her smile heating his cheeks.

“Good, thank you. Christina’s back home, so it’s just us. Shall we get started?” He gestured toward Julian’s office.

“Sure.”

“Coffee?” he asked, after inviting her to sit.

“It smells delicious. I’d love some.”

At least he’d scored one point. He asked her how she took it and returned to the outer office to pour her a cup.

“Nice shirt,” she called out. A smile tugged at his lips.

“Thanks. A smart woman with good taste complimented me on it once. I decided to wear it more often.” He returned to her side with the coffee. “Let me know if it isn’t to your liking. Be careful, though,” he said as he took his seat. “Might still be a little hot.”

She leaned closer to the cup. “I’ll give it a minute, but it’s tough to be patient. Smells awesome. Not your run-of-the-mill supermarket coffee, I imagine?”

He shook his head, willing himself not to blush. He wanted to chat with her, but he was too tense.

Might as well get it over with.

“So,” he began. “Julian asked me for some changes in the draft. I’m concerned they…might prevent us from filing it as soon as we’d hoped.”

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