Page 17 of Handle with Care
Shocked, it takes Will a moment to reply. “Who doesn’t need a job in today’s world? I certainly do. And there’s a job on the line at the end of this internship. As I’m sure you’re well aware.”
“Well… you know… McLaren and all that.” I gesture vaguely at him, as if there’s a movement that succinctly sums up owning a luxury sports car at the age of twenty-one or however old he is coming out of university. “I don’t have a family trust fund or whatever. I have a pile of student loans that I need to pay off because that’s the only way I could afford university and working through my degree. You don’t need a job as badly as I do.”
“We’ll see who gets the job at the end of this.” Will slams the book shut. He grits his teeth and stands abruptly, grabbing the book. For a moment, he looks like he’s the slightest bit off-balance, but his uncharacteristic scowl takes my attention. He tucks it forcefully under his arm. With his other hand, he clicks his laptop shut and grabs his bag. “Right. That’s about enough for one day, I think. It’s 6:00 p.m. I will see you tomorrow. Good night, Dylan.”
And it’s the frostiest way I’ve ever heard anyone say my name. Desperate to get in the last word—not my finest quality—I blurt, “Remember—that book’s only a loan! Don’t spill any tea or crumpets or anything on it.”
Will rolls his eyes, turns on his heel, and stalks out.
Chapter Nine
The day after that, we’re very quiet, tiptoeing around each other, and achingly polite in the rare moments we actually talk. I’m also tired after another late night out on a date and probably a pint too many.
Will’s head is down yet again for much of the day on the doorstopper of a textbook, and by the afternoon, he’s alternately peering at his laptop and jotting notes in a pristine leather folio. Meanwhile, I’m cross-legged in my boardroom chair, shoes off. The chairs might be ultra stylish, but they’re not comfortable for all-day seating. If Will’s uncomfortable, he gives no sign, all poise and elegance as he works.
The sunbeams slant through the window in the afternoon sun, heating up the room. I gaze out at the enviable view over the river and the north bank of the Thames. The sun’s a mirror off the water, the buildings hazy. I’m in a short-sleeve shirt and chinos today. Will’s rolled up the sleeves of another perfectly white shirt, revealing toned forearms, as I suspected, lean muscles over slender bones.
I must have gone from looking out the window to looking at him because he lifts his head from his study of his laptop and meets my gaze evenly. I look back long enough to prove Iwas deliberately looking at him and not only admiring the other view. Say something, I mentally kick myself. Something non-offensive for once.
“I want to apologize.”
Did I just say that?
It’s hard to say which one of us is more startled. Will looks uncertainly at me, a brief struggle written across his face before he smooths his expression to neutral. “I see.”
“I… went too far yesterday. I did make some assumptions about you. And you’re right. I don’t know the first thing about you or your life. And I’m sorry about that.” With a deep breath for courage, I meet his gaze again. In this bright room, his eyes are a silvery blue again. His expression softens ever so slightly. Or it could be wishful thinking that he’s not planning on disemboweling me.
Will’s shoulders relax. He sits back and runs a hand through his hair. “Thanks. I accept your apology.”
I search his eyes and offer a tentative smile.
“I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did,” Will offers a couple of moments later. “I should have kept my cool. And, of course, you want the permanent job here at the end of this internship too. It makes sense you would, with your degree. And experience.”
Ever so slowly, I let out the breath I’ve been holding. “Thanks.”
We consider each other, neither one of us sure what to say next.
“Truce?” I try at last. “For the sake of our internships?”
“For the sake of our internships,” he echoes, nodding.
“Whatever happens after that isn’t up to us, right?” Relieved he’s agreeable, I sit back in my chair too, shifting slightly as I cross my legs the other way. “And, er, I’ve brought another book for you today.”
Will looks surprised again. And honestly, a little daunted. Which makes sense since the first book I gave him has to be at least six hundred pages, and he seems to be determined to read every last page, God help him.
“Don’t worry, it’s shorter,” I blurt. I reach over for my messenger bag and retrieve the book. I wasn’t sure that I’d loan it to him after yesterday. A moment later, I’ve gotten up to pass overThe Exhibition Design Handbook. Thankfully, it’s a slimmer volume. Svelte, even. “This one shouldn’t take nearly as long to read. By the way, you don’t have to read every page, you know. There’re chapter summaries.”
“I want to,” Will says immediately, a bit too quickly.
“’Kay. If you’re sure. I mean, that first one is hardly a page-turner.”
While he browses the book, I study him again. Yeah, he’s still attractive, despite being kind of annoying, or a lot annoying.
Just consider it a side bonus to the internship, Dylan. That’s only some eye candy for you because, well, McLaren and the girlfriend you saw the other night. But you can try to be reasonable to him.
He glances up then and gives me a smile, and I realize I haven’t ever seen him smile at me before. And… it’s glorious? His face softens, and it’s a genuine, warm smile. Meant for me, no less. It’s overwhelming to have his attention like that, and I quickly busy myself with my bag. “Thanks. This is great.”
“You’re welcome.” And I’m smiling, even so.
