Page 13 of Sassy Love
Nadia.
She’s trying her best not to stare at the flaming fuchsia tape over the desk and floor. “Um, Lawson, would you be able to help me with something?”
“Sure,” I say, rising from my chair and crossing the stupid pink line.
Carlie folds her arms, narrowing her eyes and burning a hole in my back as I follow Nadia from the office. I leave Carlie seething as I wander toward the supply room with Nadia.
“What do you need?” I ask.
“Oh, the copier paper got stuck, and I can’t manage the top half up while I remove the wedged-in paper. All the other guys are in a project meeting. Could you hold it for me?” Big eyes look up at me.
I shift on my feet, realizing we did, in fact, pass two other guys in the staff room on our way here. Nadia shuts the door, and I fold my arms over my chest, putting a few feet between us. “You sure one of the others can’t help?”
“I-I can’t ask Bob for help, I’m not really...” Her face and neck flush as her gaze sinks to the floor.
I raise a hand. “It’s fine. Show me what to do.”
She swallows and nods at the lid. I try to lift it, but it doesn’t budge. Her hand moves along the underside, brushing against mine before she clicks a lever and the top pops open.
“It won’t take long,” she says softly.
I lift the lid and hoist it up. It’s heavier than it looks. The watch my folks gave me moves on my wrist as I adjust my grip, forearms flexing. Nadia leans into the machine, tugging at a pile of jammed papers.
“How long have you worked here?” I ask.
A muffled “Huh?” escapes the printer cavity as she bobs up, hitting her head on the lid.
“Shoot.” She rubs her head with a hand, smudging ink over her forehead.
“Geez, sorry.” I push it open further. “Was asking how long you’ve been working here. Now, you’ve got something...” I point to her forehead.
“Oh, almost six years.” She wipes at her face with her clean hand and glances at me before diving back in and removing a destroyed wad of paper. “Thanks.”
I lower the lid, and it clicks shut. The machine whirs back to life as she hits the power button and I give her a nod before heading for the door.
“Lawson?”
I turn back.
“Um, thanks.” Her sheepish look and ink-stained hands clutched in front of her pull a genuine smile from me.
“You’re welcome.”
I open the door and head back to Medusa’s lair made of glass and neon-pink tape.
Time to stake out my territory.
I may only technically be able to claim half of that office, but I’m going to make it mine. And she is going to work with me to see this place thrive and drop the damn attitude while she’s at it.
Chapter 5
CARLIE
Kill them,him, with kindness.
Millie’s idea that she spent two hours convincing me was my best option if I wanted to keep this job and have some way to work with Mr. Montana over there.
Yep, you bet your ass I Google-stalked this small-town redneck turned Mr. All-American Business.
