Page 16 of I Accidentally Hired a Shadow Walker
“Sweet talk?” I cackled. “You do need to eat, because clearly, you lose your mind when you’re hungry. I’ve never done that!”
“Are you saying those little donuts were enough for you?” Raymond shifted the focus. “I need dinner. You do too. Let’s go.”
“You’re not going to drop this, are you?”
“No, I’m not.” He stood and moved to the door to open it for me. “Grab your bag, woman. Let’s hit it!”
I sighed, looked at my computer monitor, which had already gone to sleep from lack of usage, and gave up on getting anything done. Instead ofcontinuing to fight him on the topic, I grabbed my bag, locked the computer, and headed for the door.
“You better have something good in mind,” I fussed. “Don’t you dare ask me to make a plan when this was your idea.”
“Yes, ma’am!” He saluted me as I passed him.
When we made it outside, Raymond marched to his car as I locked up. He held open the passenger side door and waited for me. I promptly walked right by him and headed to my car.
“Seriously?”
“I am more than capable of driving my own car.” I frowned. “Lead the way, and try not to drive so recklessly. I’d like to make it home in one piece tonight.”
I drove closely behind him as he led me fifteen minutes away from the office. He must have taken my comment about his driving to heart, because the man drove five miles under the speed limit the entire way. If I had known where he was going, I would have left him in the dust.
“You’re insufferable,” I said as he opened my door for me. I stepped out of the car, shaking my head at him. “Did you forget where your gas pedal was? Why were you moving like a damn snail?”
“I only did what you asked.” He held back his laughter. “Safe driving only, remember?”
“You’re petty.” I wagged my finger in his face as he shut the door. “I see now. You’re just here to drive me crazy.”
“Correction, I’m here to drive you crazy and have dinner. I hope you like Italian!” Raymond sidestepped me and headed into the restaurant.
The food was great; the service was fast, and an hour later, I sat in front of an empty plate. The creamy Tuscan salmon had melted in my mouth. It was so good, I was considering ordering a second serving to go.
While we were out, I tried to keep our conversation focused on business, but over the past weeks, Raymond had been trying to learn as much as he could about me, as if Rose hadn’t provided enough information in that creepy ass folder of hers.
“What are you doing?” I asked after he’d asked me about my childhood.
“Attempting conversation.” He sipped his water. “Why are you so resistant to that?”
“You’re being nosy. We work together. Why would you need to know about my childhood?”
“I don’tneedto know anything, Jericha,” he corrected my wording. “Iwantto know. We’re going to spend a lot of time together in the foreseeable future. Should we spend none of that time learning more about each other? Ask me anything. I’m an open book.”
I waved off his suggestion. “No, thank you.”
“This is a control thing for you, isn’t it?” His brow rose as he examined my expression.
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about,” I said.
“From the moment we met, you’ve been trying to take control of the situation.” He spoke as if he was solving a case.
“How could you say that?” I crossed my arms over my chest. “I was nothing but polite when I proposed we work together.”
“You know that’s not what I’m talking about.” He nodded. “The gas station. You nearly bit my head off for not letting you have your way. And then you tripped me!”
“You falling had nothing to do with me. Clearly, you’re a klutz.”
“I’m sure they still have the security footage.” He pointed at the cars parked outside. “We can go ask themto run it back.”
“What’s your point, Mr. Statton?” I asked.
