Page 68 of Austen Persuaded

“Uh, well, it’s… uh—”

“Forget it, ifit’s a big deal—”

“No! I mean, yes, you can. It’s not ready yet though. I do a slow brew.”

He was quiet for a moment and then said, “OK.”

Silence reigned for the next two and a half minutes while it finished. A painful silence that I kept debating whether or not to fill. I was very talented when it came to filling silences. I loved doing it, actually. Butthis—thissilence was one I wasn’t sure should be filled. It was better this way.

Finally, the coffee was done, and we each poured a cup. I waited while he took a few sips. Slowly, his lips turned up at the corners, and at such close proximity, I could see the slight crinkles around his eyes.

I swallowed with some effort. “You like it then. Good. Some things are worth the wait, right?”

Oh my—I didnotjust say that.

He’s going to think—oh no, I just said … that.

He sipped the coffee and met my eyes for a moment. “Perhaps you’re right.”

I averted my eyes first, getting a lid for my coffee cup and handing him one. “Well, I need to go back to my desk.”

“So do I,” he said, sounding distracted. As he followed me out of the room, he suddenly called to me. “Oh wait, Annie.”

I whirled around, my heart fluttering. This job, being here withhim, was going to be the death of me.

And my name.

On his lips.

Those lips.

“Yes?”

“I almost forgot. I can’t make it tonight. I have a work thing with Lucas. I told him I’m busy on Wednesdays, but apparently this meetinghadto take place tonight. Sorry,” Kylan said, actually looking apologetic.

I stared into his eyes, surprise on my face. Why was he telling me this? “Oh, it’s … I’m … thanks for letting me know. Um, have a good time at your meeting.”

With that idiotic closing statement, I gave him a polite smile and turned to leave.

I’d survived another encounter with him, but at what cost?

Chapter 18

Afew days later, my friends and I had barely started on the famous Bennie’s appetizers when the dreaded questions came.

“So tell us all about your new job and the agency!” Viviana said, dipping her crusty bread into the artichoke dip that she’d claimed for herself.

“Yeah, we’ve been dying to hear more,” Jack chimed in. “What’s the name of the agency?”

I dipped my tortilla chip into the salsa that had won Bennie’s a local foodie award three years in a row. After taking my time to savor each bite, I exhaled slowly. “I was hired at Franchersantz, but the company is being acquired—” At the sharp look of concern on both my friends’ faces, I paused. “No, my job is fine, it seems. He said—I mean, they said everyone’s jobs are safe, and they’ll probably expand the staff rather than downsize. Anyway, I’m an assistant to two literary agents, one of whom I really, really like. I’m going to have to introduce you sometime because she’s becoming a great friend already. The job is … amazing. I love it so much.”

“That is so wonderful, Annie,” Jack said, his eyes crinkled at the corners. “I knew you’d find your niche.”

“I’m so excited for you!” Viviana said, smiling. “I never heard you describe work as amazing before, so this is huge for you. So, was it hard to break into this field? I always imagined it would be, but you weren’t jobless for very long and … well, you do have that Annie charisma.”

I grinned. “Aww, thanks. Well, I had help. Rainn already worked there, and he had a good friend in HR too.”

“Ah,” Jack said, nodding as he speared another piece of vegetable tempura. “It helps when you know people.”

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