Page 62 of Five
“I still have employees to pay. I need to do payroll, and I’m going to have to do some creative budgeting to keep us going until we reopen. And we just received this grant…I have to check the guidelines and make sure I won’t lose it because of all this stuff happening.”
Her expression is pained and the intense need to somehow ease her worries hits me hard. “Let me help,” I offer. “Then we can jet ski.”
She looks at me doubtfully. “How are you going to help me?”
The inference is clear, whether intended or not. She’s known me for all of a day but has already written me off as having any kind of skills that could be of use. I guess I can’t blame her, though. I haven’t given any indication of my abilities. I hide my immediate hurt with a charming smile and open my mouth to speak. Oliver cuts me off.
“Cope would actually be a great source for you. He’s degreed in economics and business, and he has an incredibly keen eye for making money and putting it to use.”
I feel my cheeks flush with embarrassment. His compliment is as unexpected as it is appreciated, and it makes me realize that in order for this very different relationship to work, we all have to support each other. No one is lesser than. No one is unnecessary, or an afterthought. “Thanks, man.”
Neve eyes me with fresh respect in her expression. “Then I’d be grateful for your advice.” She brushes invisible crumbs from her hands over her plate. “I’m ready whenever you are.”
I stand. “Then let’s get to it. It’s a beautiful day out there, and I can’t wait to get out on the water.”
Oz pushes his chair back and stands, also. “As for me… I’m heading to work. I have this crazy case that’s very demanding.” He stoops, one hand on the back of Neve’s chair and the other tangled in her hair and kisses her lingeringly.
Oliver snorts. “Get a room.”
He’s not upset, though.
In fact…I look at him with renewed interest. If I was a betting man, I’d say Oliver had the look of a satisfied man, too. One remembering things.
After a quick stop to collect the spare laptop she brought with her, Neve meets me in my office, an extra bedroom in my cottage that I converted into workspace. It boasts numerous screens I use to track market flux, a couch when I need a nap, and a mini-fridge full of my favorite beer. I waffle briefly over offering one to Neve, then decide it’s probably too early.
I wave a hand toward the couch. “Have a seat.”
She sits in the center, and that inner, childish part of me pumps his fist in victory.
Yes.
Regardless of where I choose to sit, I’ll be next to her. She had to have chosen the middle on purpose. She wants me close to her. I start to sit, then hesitate.
Wait.What if she expected me to sit in my desk chair? I’d look like a pushy idiot if—
“Sit.” She pats the sofa next to her and begins restarting her computer.
With a clear of my throat, I sit.
“So, let’s look first at the budget. Clear your payroll and decide how you should be using what remains. What kind of bills do you have? Lease? Mortgage?”
“I own the building outright,” she says. “College graduation gift from my parents.”
“Nice gift.”
She hums in reply. “It’s probably the first thing they agreed on in years.”
I need my glasses to see her computer screen clearly and pluck them from the table next to the sofa before sliding them on. “Okay. So, let’s see…we have electricity and utilities…this here…this…” I highlight the figures in an excel document as I’m going through her general allocations and glance over to make sure she’s following. She’s looking at me instead of the screen, her expression bemused. “What?”
She shakes herself a little, as if to clear her head. “Nothing!”
“It’s the glasses, isn’t it?” I press. “I’m far-sighted…have to use them for close work.”
She blushes, a beautiful shade of rose. “They’re unexpected. But more than that…” she ponders, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth. “This whole nerdy thing is kind of hot.” She looks back at the computer screen, her hair falling in a sleek wave to shield her face.
Oh-ho. She thinks I’m hot. I elbow her. “Nerdy hot, huh?” I waggle my eyebrows when I regain her attention. “I’ll be sure to wear my pocket protector out on the jet ski.”
She laughs softly, and I return to the computer.
