Page 53 of So That Happened

I summon all the bravado I can muster. Grin. “I don’t need a backup plan.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because I’m right. And this is not going to fail.”

Those dark eyes are on me again, and for a moment, I lose my train of thought. Gosh, Liam’s a beautiful man.

Warmth creeps up the back of my neck as he keeps staring at me. His face is impassive, but there’s a glint of something that tells me I’ve given the right answer. Passed some kind of test. This realization makes a thrill zip through me, head to toe. He’s impressed.

He takes me seriously. Takes my work seriously. And if this is what impressing Liam Donovan at work feels like, then I’m already looking forward to the next test.

“Liam!”

The excited shriek startles us both, and we look up from our massacre of cheese and guac (okay, my massacre). A drop-dead gorgeous woman wearing only a sports bra and capri leggings is prancing towards us. She has the most perfect complexion I’ve ever seen. Seriously, her skin is so clear, I can practically see my reflection in it.

My hand automatically goes to the pimple forming on my chin. Too late, I realize that my hand is dripping with grease, and all I’ve done is guarantee that this pimple will be big, red and glaring.

Wonderful.

I wipe my hands on my napkin as Liam nods at the woman. “Cassandra. What a surprise.”

Is it just me or is his voice totally flat?

“It is! I’m just getting a salad to go—had a late spin class down the road.” Cassandra holds up a very non-greasy box of chicken and greens, and she beams at Liam without casting me a glance. Not that I blame her. I probably look like the kid sister he brought out for dinner. “I haven’t seen you in, like, three weeks!”

Her voice is casual, but I get the impression that she knows the exact date and time she last laid eyes on Liam.

“Probably about that,” Liam says blandly. He doesn’t ask how she is. Doesn’t make any attempt to introduce me. Instead, he shoots me a quick, apprehensive glance.

What?

For the first time since she approached our table, Cassandra looks a tad unsure of herself. Not that I blame her.

Liam’s being, well, rude. Which isn’t super unlike him, but this woman looks like a goddess—shouldn’t he be drooling and not glaring at the table like it personally offended him?

She finally turns to me. Frowns. “I’m Cassandra.”

“Annie,” I reply, and she wrinkles her nose slightly, like she’s puzzled by my existence.

“Annie works with me,” Liam says swiftly. Too swiftly.

Cassandra’s eyes light with fresh enthusiasm. She touches her hair and giggles, turning all her attention back to Liam. “Well, we’ll have to get together soon. I’ll call you?”

He barely nods. “Sounds great. Good to see you.”

Which mightsoundlike a nice thing to say. But the way Liam says it is more “goodbye, please leave now” than anything else.

As she walks away, he turns to me. Sighs heavily. “Sorry for that interruption. Where were we?”

I blink a couple times, lick my lips as I get my bearings. Weird as that interaction was, Liam’s intent was clear—move Cassandra along as quickly as possible while making sure she knows I’m his colleague. Which explains his apprehensive glance in my direction—he probably didn’t want her to think I was on a date with him.

Which makes sense. After all, that’s what I am: his colleague.

Actually, not even. I’m his employee. This is not a dinner date, it’s a business meeting. And while I may never be a soul-cycling, salad-eating goddess, I’m a damn good data analyst.

That’s what he pays me for. And that’s what I’m here to deliver. Period.

As if to prove my point, I shove another nacho in my mouth.

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