Page 20 of Matched with my Alien Boss
“I know the way to your office,” I said through gritted teeth.
He shrugged.
“I know. I just thought I'd walk you.”
“I need a minute to collect my stuff...”
“I don't mind.”
My chest tightened with disappointment. I reached for my phone to text Sal. He was probably already here...
“Leave your phone,” Mr. Kort said. “You won’t need it.”
I could feel the eyes of the people around us, surreptitiously watching and listening.
I stood up slowly, feeling like I was walking into a trap.
He turned, leading the way but with each step, I grew more upset. I couldn't take this. Meeting Sal... it was important to me. More important than keeping this job. I could work at any company. I wasn't married to this one. Right?
He held open his office door, but my feet stuck to the carpet, and I couldn't bring myself to step inside.
“I told you I have plans.”
He pursed his lips, frowning, watching me intensely in a way I couldn't begin to read.
“Please,” he said gently and held the door open a bit wider.
Despite myself, I stepped inside.
He sighed in relief and gestured for me to take a seat, but I didn't move, crossing my arms over my chest.
“You can't just force me to stay late. I told you I have plans.”
He watched me for a long time, then I saw the moment something broke inside him and he nodded.
“Yes, Clay,” he agreed, “you made plans with me.”
“No.” I shook my head, frustrated. “I promised to meet someone else, right at five. I don't have time for this. Whatever you want can wait.”
“No one else is going to be waiting for you,” he said. “You promised to meet me.”
I rolled my eyes, irritated enough to pull my hair out.
“No! I have a date!”
“Clay!” Mr. Kort moaned. “You're killing me here!”
The abundant show of emotion caught me off guard. Especially when he suddenly came forward and took both of my hands in his own and looked me straight in the eyes, forcing me to see him. To understand.
“It's me,” he said. “OnasalKort, alien CEO with horns.”
The way he was looking at me. Like I was aboutto freak out or run was the only reason his words started to make sense. Only they didn't. They couldn't.
“No...” I breathed. “But?—”
Last night flew to the front of my mind and I clapped my hands to my mouth, staring at him.
He grimaced.
