Page 54 of Never With You
“I ran the event department at Houselink Solar.”
“Houselink Solar,” Nate says the name real slow, putting the pieces together. “My coworker—” I frantically flick his leg like he did to me earlier. “My coworker and I are so happy to have you here. It’s going to be a great trip,” he finishes, kicking my flicks away.
Phew.
For a second, I thought he would name-drop me, and I’m not prepared for that.
I’m not prepared for any of this.
“I’m Nate Farnsworth, by the way.”
“Farnsworth? As in Mack Farnsworth?”
“Yeah, he’s my father.”
“Really?” Disbelief oozes out of Isaac, dripping with condescension.
“Hard to believe I’m working the hospitality desk when I could be running a multimillion-dollar company, huh?”
“You said it. Not me.”
“There’s a free mini bar in the break room at Voyager Travel that sold me. You can’t beat a Biscoff cookie.”
“Yeah.” He gives a fake laugh as a courtesy. “I guess we’ll be seeing a lot of each other.”
“Looking forward to it.”
I hear Isaac’s footsteps, and my ribs release the tension I’m holding.
After a minute, Nate lifts the tablecloth with a satisfied smile. “Well, well, well. As the tables turn.”
I rise to my chair with a seething glare. “Shut up.”
“Ye without sin cast the first stone.” Smugness radiates from his smile. “What was that you were saying about being a mature adult?”
Ignoring him, I organize our hospitality desk like nothing happened at all.
“So if I puzzled this out correctly—and I think I did—Isaac Levy and you used to work together.” My silence doesn’t deter him. “And if your friend had finished her sentence the other night, my guess is that you two were in a relationship and broke up, and that’s why you wanted a new job.”
“Fine.” I slam the stack of folders on the desk and turn to Nate. “Isaac and I dated, and we broke up. Things were awkward, so I left. I came to Voyager Travel, and besides having to work with you, I’m much happier here. Satisfied now?”
All his features soften. “Is this the first time you’ve seen him since you left?”
My gaze drops, mostly so Nate doesn’t see the tears pricking my eyes.
“Yes.” I brush my hair back, blink a few times, clear my throat, force a smile, and look up to meet his stare. “What a small world.”
“Too small.” There’s genuine concern edged into the lines of his eyes. “If I had known who he was, I would’ve given you a heads up that he would be here.”
“It’s fine.” I lift my chin, forcing confidence I don’t feel. “It was ten months ago. We’ve both moved on. I mean, clearly, he’s moved on. He’s getting married to some woman that has two first names. So…” My words hang between us because I don’t have the energy to keep pretending I’m not heartbroken to the core.
Nate scoffs, falling back into his seat. “She wasn’t even that pretty. Her hair was a mess. Her face had no expression, like she’s done one too many rounds of Botox. And don’t even get me started on those lip fillers. Objectively, you’re way better than her.”
A small smile threatens. “You’re just trying to make me feel better.”
“Is it working?”
“I don’t know if anything can make me feel better.” I sigh as I sink into my chair. “It’s just…” I pause, second-guessing whether or not I want to get this vulnerable with Nate. Half the time, he frustrates me, and the other half, I can’t find anything redeemable about him, but the words spill out anyway. “Isaac wasn’t great. Deep down, I knew that, but I didn’t end the relationship because I didn’t want to rock the boat at work. I’m glad we broke up; I really am.” My shoulders fall with my breath. “I guess I just thought when I saw him again, I would finally be the woman I intend to be, you know? Like I’d be successful, in a new relationship, and wearing something more flattering than a Voyager Travel t-shirt. But I’m not any of those things right now.”
