Page 26 of Never With You
I can be nice.
I’m a good person and a professional, and I can be nice even if it kills me.
After all, Nate gifted me Thailand.
That’s worth some extra effort on my part.
I carefully place a cheerful smile on my mouth and enter his office. “Good morning, Nate!” There’s a sing-song to my words that I’m mildly embarrassed about.
Immediately, he’s skeptical. “Who are you, and what did you do with Carly?”
“Ready to work?” I pull a chair over to his desk, laying out my laptop and files.
“What’s with you today?” He’s behind me with a golf club, hitting balls into his portable indoor putting green.
“What do you mean?” Another big smile.
“You’re acting strange.”
“No, I’m not.”
“I don’t like whatever this is.” He waves his hand in front of my deranged grin. “If you keep this up, everyone will think you have an office crush on me, and nobody wants that. Grade-A stalkers aren’t my thing.”
Even I’m surprised by how fast my smile turns into a scowl. “Has anyone ever told you that you have a very slappable face?”
A laugh spits out. “There she is. I was starting to get worried.”
I suck in a lungful of air, mad at myself that I couldn’t even make it thirty seconds without saying something that could get me removed from my dream trip, but I can’t help it. Nate brings out the worst in me like a spicy burrito you eat at ten p.m.
Flustered, I scoot my chair in. “Let’s just work, or are you currently competing in The Masters?” My eyes shift to his golf club.
“Just practicing for fun.” He leans his club against the wall and walks to his desk with a smile meant to tease. “You’ve heard of fun before, right?”
“Yes, I know what fun is.” He’s baiting me, but I’ve regrouped with a new sense of patience. “Since Pureskin dropped the ball on side tours, I put together a tentative itinerary with side tour options that could befun.” I open the folder in front of me and hand him a copy of my plan.
The best part of my job is examining a brand-new location and creating a trip full of culture, adventure, and relaxation. It’s what I love.
“I’m terrified of your definition of fun.” He takes the paper and glances over my suggestions, seemingly unimpressed. “It’s a good start, but I’ll take charge from here.”
“I spent all week on this. If you just take a second, you’ll see how well-thought-out it is.” I feel my frustration flare. “I’ve already done the work. You can focus on the welcome dinner and farewell party.”
“No, I want final say on the side tours and entertainment. The last thing we want is for you to pick something boring, like basket weaving.”
“Do you see basket weaving on that list?” I bite back.
“No, but I wouldn’t put it past you to sneak it in. You’re the most straitlaced, unadventurous person I know.”
Nate really is just like Isaac.
His words are proof that he knows nothing about me. I open my mouth to tout some of the adventurous things I’ve done over the years, like rappelling down the Victoria Waterfall in Costa Rica, kayaking through the Misty Fjords in Alaska, or the rope swing in Moab, but I stop myself before any of that comes out. I’m not good at showing people all the different sides of me, especially work people. A place of employment isnotwhere you let your hair down. It’s where you button everything up to be a professional. Besides, I don’t want Nate toknowme. We’re not friends.
“Fine. Have it your way.” This is me on my best behavior, playing nice. “I’ll be in charge of the welcome dinner and farewell party.”
“I’ll also oversee those with you. I want to make sure things go smoothly.”
“Are you really going to micromanage everything I do?”
“Pureskin is an important client we want to impress.”
