Page 18 of Handle with Care
When I dare look up again, he glances at his watch, and I check my phone. The long shadows in the room should have been the first giveaway that the end of the day had crept up on us. “Time to wrap up.”
“Yeah, looks like.” I glance down at his work area. Everything’s very orderly. His laptop’s perfectly aligned to the edge of the table, along with his leather folio. I notice then hehas written tidy lists, neatly color coded in coordinated pastel highlighter shades. “How’s it going anyway? Getting to know the exhibits we still need?”
He nods. “Yes. Although the spreadsheet Lily gave us is very useful for exhibits planning, I don’t think it’s the most practical way for us to approach collecting exhibits efficiently. Instead of sorting by exhibition section, what we need to know is where everything is right now. So, I’ve started lists to get a sense. I’ve put together exhibits by location, which correlates with the lender too. Central London, South London, North London. I’ve noted exhibits that are in Greater London and the ones further beyond. And then I’ve highlighted the ones that are ready for pickup and left the others unmarked that still need more logistics worked out or to be ordered. I probably should have written this straight onto a spreadsheet, actually.”
Will flushes slightly then, to my surprise. He glances at me. “Sorry, this is probably a bit mad, isn’t it?”
I blink. “Not at all. It’s really organized. And logical.” I don’t want to admit the idea of organizing exhibits by current location hadn’t occurred to me, but there we are. Maybe he does have some good takes after all. But I don’t want to quite admit that yet. Our peace is too new, and we’re still rivals, after all. Even if we’re friendly-ish rivals today.
His smile is fleeting, and he looks away, back to his computer. “Well, tomorrow.”
“Right, tomorrow.” I can’t help a smile too, then turn and go back to my work area, neatening things up like how he is doing. Except his workspace is already meticulous, and mine looks more… let’s say lived-in. I glance up at him as he picks up his leather folio, zipped up and tucked under his arm. Along with the growing library I’ve given him. “Any plans tonight? Aside from reading, it looks like. I mean, nobody’s going to take thebooks from here when we’re gone. And you’ve been looking at them all day.”
I’m not sure why I ask the question about his evening, aside from curiosity getting the better of me. Will looks startled. “I wouldn’t expect you to be interested in my plans.”
“I’m invested,” I assure him, then add quickly to that in case he thought I was being too personal. He gives the impression of having equally pristine and sharp boundaries. Well-manicured. “I mean, I’m totally invested in your learning about museums. You simply don’t want to overdo it or anything.”
It’s hard to read his expression as Will starts toward the door. “I won’t.”
“That’s a relief.” I look amused as I sling my messenger bag over my shoulder. I take my empty tea mug for the dishwasher downstairs. “I’m going to meet my housemates and catch a movie. Not sure if we’re staying in or going out.”
Will pauses by the door. “Which film?”
“I’m not sure yet about that either. I told them to surprise me.”
“That’s bold of you.”
“It’s how I roll,” I say easily as we head out.
At the bottom of the stairs, Will pauses and glances at me. It’s impressive how he still looks perfectly groomed after a warm day, especially in the sun trap of the boardroom. “I’m meeting a friend tonight, for the record.”
I chuckle. “Don’t feel like you owe me an explanation. Also, it’s nice to know you have friends.”
He frowns at me. “Dylan?—”
“I couldn’t resist. I’m sorry.” But part of me wonders iffriendreally means his girlfriend or an aspirational girlfriend. At least I have the good sense to stop myself before I askthatquestion. That’s definitely over the pristine boundary line.
Will considers me, and then his shoulders ease. “Right. Haha.”
I give him a reassuring smile. “Not everyone gets my sense of humor. Also, it might not translate to the English. I’m finding out very quickly that humor is cultural, even if we’re both technically speaking the same language. And don’t get me started on pop culture references. ’Kay. Sorry. I’ll stop talking at you and let you go. Night.”
“Good night.”
And finally, we both head our separate ways. As I head down the pavement with the steady stream of commuters headed towards the station, I can’t help but wonder what a typical evening in Will’s life looks like.
Stop being nosy.
Yet I’m still thinking about Will and his plans by the time I reach the rail station for home.
Chapter Ten
We start off again like yesterday, working away in the boardroom. It didn’t cool down overnight, and the windows don’t open, so the day’s started off close and warm in here like a proper greenhouse in summer. I pray my deodorant doesn’t quit. The only difference from yesterday morning, aside from the heat, is that Will’s not reading the museum books I’ve loaned him but instead tapping away on the laptop, a staccato rhythm. Lily’s going to meet with us at 11:30 a.m. to talk about our progress. I wonder if Will’s as nervous as I am.
“Hey,” I say.
Will looks up, brow furrowed. A tendril of hair falls over an eyebrow, and he absently pushes it back. Distracting.
“Have you been to the collections yet? I’m sure you’ve seen the galleries.”
