Page 32 of Never With You
“Because I took a two-second break to spin my chair around? I’ve seen you play a soccer game on the conference table, using a wad of paper for the ball and pencil holders for the goal.”
“Well, yeah.” He shrugs easily. “It was the office World Cup.”
My eyes roll as I wheel myself back to my desk. “Thanks for stopping by. You can leave now.”
I set my phone face down next to my computer. The last thing I need is for Nate to see a notification pop up from my pen pal.
“The embroidery place called. The swag is ready to be picked up. They also have the samples ready for us.”
“Okay.”
“Okay, so let’s go.”
I blink back at him. “Why would I go?”
“To look at the samples.”
“Nope. You told me last week that you wanted to oversee swag.”
“So?”
“So you’re the one that needs to look at the samples.”
“I want you to come help pick them out.”
“Let me get this straight.” I lean back into my chair, folding my arms across my chest. “You want to be in charge of swag, but you also want me to drop everything I’m doing to help you be in charge of swag?”
“That’s not quite how I would put it.” He tilts his head, pausing. “But sure.”
“Sorry, but I can’t take on any extra work right now just to help ease your workload. Thanks for thinking of me, though.” I face my computer again and start typing like I’ve moved on.
“Extra work? What are you talking about? This is part of your job.”
“No, it’s part ofyourjob.”
“It’s Friday afternoon after a long week. Who doesn’t want to leave the office for a little bit?”
I shoot him a quick, thin-lined smile. “People who actually need to get work done.”
“Carly?” He grabs the side of my chair, forcing a half-turn so I’m facing him.
His hands go to the armrests, and his body hunches over so his face is close, his eyes in line with mine.
Holy Hannah!
He’s never beenthisclose.
Visions of Nate and me in the supply closet, knocking things over, jump to the front of my mind. I’m suddenly very much annoyed by my ability to recall things easily.
“What?” I bark, keenly aware of my overzealous heartbeats.
“Please come with me to help pick out the stuff for the room drops.” For the first time in probably ever, Nate seems genuine. Man, he can be cute when he’s serious. “This event is really important to me, and I’d love a second opinion, especially a female one.”
The truth is, I’d love to get out of the office a little early. I’ve pulled a lot of extra hours this week trying to get the Thailand trip ready on such short notice. It’s a sunny day. I can drive with the windows down, hang my arm out the side as the wind blows my hair back, and listen to my favorite songs.
“Fine, I’ll go. But only to make sure you don’t choose something stupid, like a fidget toy, for the executives of a multimillion-dollar company.”
“I’d never choose a fidget.” The corner of his mouth lifts as he backs away from my chair, causing me to breathe easier. “But a slap bracelet, I make no guarantees.”
