Page 39 of Grump of Cole
"Yes," I gritted out. "But he said he liked my attitude.AndI had experience in the candy business." I straightened in my seat. "Ground level experience. It can be really helpful, you know."
Missing the pointagain, Cole said, "But the gig at the candy store – it wasn't in your file."
I felt my eyes narrow. "Mypersonnelfile? So youhavebeen going through it?"
"Sure," he said. "Six months ago."
Hah! Likely story."That's a long time to remember such a small detail."
Cole shrugged. "I have a good memory."
Funny,Ihad a good memory, too. Like right now, I was remembering what a jerk Cole had been on my final day at the office.He'd been such a hard-ass.And for once, I wasn't referring to his backside which, yes, was obnoxiously fine.
But that was totally irrelevant.
Into my silence, Cole added, "And details matter. You were going to be my assistant."
"Yeah," I scoffed. "For two whole weeks."
His jaw clenched. "Byyourchoice, not mine."
Just then, the waitress came by to deliver our drinks – a beer for him and wine for me. I reached for my glass so quickly, it was a wonder I didn't knock it over.
Wine – I needed it, pronto.I was still slugging it down when the waitress asked if we were ready to order. I stopped drinking only long enough to blurt out, "Yes, definitely."
When Cole gave me an odd look, I mumbled something about being in a hurry. I wasn't even sure why I said it. I was in no rush to eat. I wasn't even hungry, not anymore.
Mostly, I wanted some time to think – to digest not anything edible, but how I felt about seeing Mister Grampkin in his new pitiful state. After the briefest glance at the menu, I ordered a small antipasto salad.No soup. No appetizer.
I barely heard what Cole ordered. But I did see the look on his face as he communicated with our server. Judging from the set of Cole's mouth, he wasn't any hungrier than I was.
After the waitress left, a stony silence settled over the table, broken only by occasional comments about the weather of all things.
A storm was definitely brewing, but I wasn't referring to anything outside. Even though Cole and I were being perfectly civilized, it felt like we were spiraling toward a big dramatic scene, the kind that ended with harsh words and tossed drinks.
I had never been that kind of person. From what I could tell, neither was Cole. Even back when I'd worked for him, I had never seen him lose control, not even when he'd fired Mister Grampkin.
But so what?As I'd seen firsthand, Cole Henster was the kind of guy who could make people scramble without even raising his voice.
As my thoughts churned, I sank lower in my seat. I didn'tfeellike scrambling. I felt ornery and tired and more than a little guilty for spending so much time with a guy who'd caused so many people so much misery.
As I picked at my salad, one disturbing question kept hammering in my head, pounding away like a woodpecker on Christmas morning.
It was a question for which I had no answer – or at least none that didn't make me feel like a traitorous hussy.
What was I doing here, anyway?
Chapter 18
Cole
As we left the restaurant, I told Lexie, "I'll walk you back."
During the past hour, the snow and wind had both picked up, making it hard to see the other side of the street.
With a little frown, she asked, "To where?"
"Wherever."
