Page 15 of Fairy Tale Lies
Greta sat straight and shrugged. No way was she going to mention her flush of happiness when she first saw him. The brief flicker of hope. “Even if I was, it wouldn’t matter.”
“I hate to parrot, but why?”
“If it gets back to my father I had some tawdry fling with a client, he’d be livid. He’d say, that if I’m foolish enough to mess around with a client, I’m not ready for the responsibility of this job.”
“He wasn’t a client at the time,” Rae interjected.
“The timeline doesn’t matter. Bad choices aren’t allowed in the Meier family.”
“You’re certain Jacob Grimm is one?”
“Yes. Flings usually are mistakes. Plus, we have no common ground to build on.” Greta sighed, ready to move away from her embarrassing past. “Really, this conjecture is irrelevant. Too much time has passed, and now I have to work with him. Which brings me to my initial request.”
Rae tilted her head, clearly waiting for Greta to continue. “I’m going to ask Allen to switch our accounts, so I won’t have to work directly with Jacob. Will you back me up?”
Rae’s face clouded with worry. “I will, though I think it’s a bad idea. Your father—our boss—specifically appointed both of us to handle Rework’s account. He’ll wonder why, after he refused your request during the meeting, you did it anyway.”
Greta’s choice came to a couple of excruciating weeks working with Jacob or facing an inquisition with her father. Her career was more important than her discomfiture.
“You’re right. When Jacob returns, could you give us a couple minutes?”
“Sure. Talking will probably do you both good.”
Greta didn’t agree, but what other choice did she have?
She focused on her computer and hoped Jacob would spend at least another half hour away from the IT department. It would give her a chance to gather her wayward emotions before having to speak with him.
Unfortunately, less than ten minutes later there was a light knock on the door. Greta glanced over to find Jacob resting against the frame.
He was mouthwatering in black slacks and a gray button-down. With a clean shave and his hair neatly combed back, no wonder she hadn’t recognized him right away. He was almost a different man without the mover’s uniform, a scruffy jawline, and rumpled hair,. Only the unruly gleam in his eyes remained the same.
“Sorry. I hope I’m not interrupting,” he said evenly, his expression giving away nothing.
“Not at all.” Rae stood. “We were working on other accounts, while waiting for you. Anyway, I’ll find another chair and scrounge up drinks and snacks.” She gave a quick wave and shot out the door.
Jacob’s brows furrowed. “What was that about? Is she trying to get away?”
“Um, I told her I wanted to speak with you alone. She wasn’t very smooth, huh?”
“Nope.” A spark of humor curved his full lips. It was a gorgeous sight.
“Listen, I apologize. Earlier, I was rude.” After talking with Rae, Greta realized she might’ve overreacted.
“No worries.” He shrugged and came inside the office, sitting in Rae’s vacated seat. “We were both surprised.”
“Yes, but I’m the one who behaved badly.”
His grin pulled wider, and she wondered if he was going to tease her. Maybe remind her how indecently she liked to behave around him.
Geez, this is awkward.
There was no teasing. Instead, he asked, “What happened to you being a Silverstone?”
“Never was. It’s my stepfather’s last name you saw on the delivery forms, that…um, day, not mine. Charles is my father.”
“Shit.” Jacob cleared his throat. “Well, at least he’s not your husband.”
She guffawed but didn’t comment. There were too many other questions. “So…the moving thing, it’s part-time?”
