Page 67 of Austen Persuaded

He told Sofia that?

“Uh, I—well, it wasn’t …” I grasped for words. “I’m sure he said it wasn’t that serious—”

Sofia laughed. “I suppose, in so many words. He did say he barely recognized you at first, and this was the last place he expected to see you working.”

As my heart shattered into pieces, I arranged my face into a careful smile. I was good at that. “Right, I–I was a bit aimless in college. I’m surprised he even remembers me.”

“Not your soulmate then. Got it.” She chuckled after taking another sip of tea. But her face sobered. “Well, I …” she trailed off, looking hesitant.

I didn’t really want to know what she was going to say, but I made myself ask. “What? Just say it.”

With a somewhat guilty expression, my new friend sighed. “I can’t say I’m not interested myself. I did feel some heat when we met last week at Bookshop. Would you mind if …”

I shook my head rapidly, trying to focus on breathing before I uttered in a raspy voice, “No, but … it might not be a good idea, professionally. During the transition, at least.”

She winced. “True. As a woman of color, I can’t afford to risk mixing personal and professional. It’s not fair, but that’s the way of things. At least, I’ve never found anyone worth the risk before.” She winked at me. Was she saying Kylan might be the exception? My heart sank further as my mind filled with dread.

The only thing worse than working under Kylan as a boss would be watching him fall in love with my coworker and new friend. I’d have to quit.

I can’t quit! I love this job.

Think, Annie.

I raised my chin and pursed my lips. “Sofia, no man is worth that risk. And I’m going to remind you of that as often as I need to, just as you’ll do the same for me.”

“Aww, girl, of course I will. I’ve known you for like a week. Or two? Whatever. I already want to get bestie tattoos.” At my surprised face, she laughed. “I’m joking, of course. I don’t do pain. But you’re awesome, girl.”

Not two hours later, I was pouring my special caramel coffee blend into the coffeemaker as the accounting manager was standing near the microwave making popcorn. Despite my usual habit of making small talk in the break room, I wasn’t attempting to chat at all, in part because voices would’ve been hard to hear over the popcorn and in part because Sandra would’ve ignored me anyway. I’d said hello to the woman every day and never received anything in response except an icy glare, if that. At first I’d wondered what I had done to offend her, but Sofia assured me it wasn’t personal. Apparently Sandra was just an unpleasant person, but she was related to one of the agency’s founders and thus had been working here forever.

I tapped my foot, wishing I’d thought to bring my phone as I waited for the coffee to brew. I sighed as I considered all the work remaining on my to-do list for today. I had at least a dozen emails to reply to, and Laina had a meeting she needed me to schedule. I was trying to remember the other to-do when a familiar deep voice startled me.

“I just had to find out who the office popcorn lover is,” said the owner of the voice, flashing a charming smile as he rounded thecorner into the room. Kylan’s smile wavered just a bit when he saw me, but he recovered quickly. Me, not so much. I had to lean back against the counter to steady myself.

Thank goodness I’m not in here alone.

I glanced over at Sandra with reluctant gratitude. But I frowned, noting that Sandra was pulling the steaming popcorn bag out of the microwave.

“It is only I,” Sandra said in a high-pitched voice, followed by a giggle. “I can share.” I stared at her, wide-eyed. Who was this woman? She had to be at least 50 years old, as stern and frosty as any woman I’d ever met, but she’d transformed into a flirty schoolgirl just like that?

Kylan gave her a winning smile. “Any other day, Sandra—it’s Sandra, right?” When she beamed, he continued, “Any other day, I would, but I’m still stuffed from lunch. I just came to get some coffee.”

Sandra sighed. “Your loss, Mr. Quinn. Maybe another time then,” she said in almost a whisper as she sashayed past him with her popcorn.

I stared after her in disbelief, jaw nearly on the floor. But when the door closed, I jolted back to reality and found my ex walking toward me. “I, uh, I was just waiting for my coffee.”

“OK,” he said in a pleasant voice.

“I don’t like the office coffee, so I brew my own.”

“Cool.”

Why am I explaining what I’m doing in the break room?

I’m not doing anything wrong.

I shook my head as I warily watched him pour some of the normal office coffee and then add sugar.

Instead of turning to leave though, he leaned against the counter and took a sip. And then another. “No wonder you bring your own. Can I try it?”

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