Page 28 of The Innovator

Was that a knife piercing deeper into my gut? Why did it bother me that she saw me in that way?

“Why are you and your friends talking about me?” I asked, keeping my voice even to hide my discomfort. “The conversation must have been amazing because my ears didn’t itch.”

Audri sighed. “She’s just trying to do her job. Just be more considerate, okay? She’s new in the area, and we’ve welcomed her into our little group.”

“The gossip group?”

Audri snorted. “I used to think you were a cool brother, but you’re turning into a bigger ass every day.”

“I don’t need to be cool because girls love me.”

“Well, where are they? You haven’t brought a girlfriend home in a while. You chased Gisele away.”

“No, we broke up.” Gisele wanted more out of the relationship, and I didn’t have the energy to give her what she needed.

“Natalie is just trying to do her job, Grayson. She seemed stressed the past few times we went out. I hope it’s not because of you.”

It couldn’t be me. Could it?

I flipped through my memory and couldn’t remember anything except the sexual desires she sparked in me. Perhaps I had been demanding and rude, but that was the nature of business.

Christ.

Just thinking that I had been responsible for her anxiety irked me. “I’ll try to remember to be nice to her.”

“I think you need a vacation. You’ve been working so much that you’ve forgotten how to be human.”

I laughed. “Is that what you say to Remi when he works late? Because we both know he’s a workaholic too.”

“Yes, but he takes breaks. And you don’t.”

“Okay, sis. Are you done lecturing your bigbrother? Because I’ve got stuff to do, like maybe plan a getaway.”

“Good. I’m done. Just don’t forget to come over to review my renovation ideas. You’re the best!”

Shaking my head, I placed the phone on my desk, scrubbing a hand over my face. I needed a vacation, but only after I delegated the Three Point Park project to various departments in my company so they could start the renovation.

Despite all the things bouncing around my head, Natalie’s anxiety came to the forefront. A notification banner popped up on my screen, signifying I had a new follower on ChatNow.

I opened it and grinned like a fool. Natalie C and I were now friends. We were each other’s followers.

CHAPTERTEN

GRAYSON

On Sunday, I spent a couple of hours at the office to get some work done. Lunchtime came, and the nice July weather called for a walk. I shouldn’t be working, but I’d been behind on several projects, so it was catch-up time. Especially since I’d planned on taking a much-needed vacation.

As I headed to the sandwich shop, I bounced ideas around my head. What should I create as the focal point at the center of Three Point Park? I had some ideas, but nothing truly stood out. Hopefully, it would come to me soon.

After picking up a roast beef sandwich, I took a different route back toward my office. Something made me glance into a window, and my heart leaped at the sight of Natalie sitting by a wall inside a small shop called The Plot Twister. She was looking at something on her laptop. A stack of books sat next to her mug of coffee or tea. She wore a light blue dress where the wide neckline slid off one shoulder, revealing her smooth skin.

Something warm spread across my chest as though an internal sun had risen in me, making me warmer than I already was in a T-shirt and torn jeans. I could stand there and watch her all day, but that would make me a creep. Besides, I wanted to be closer to hear her voice and inhale her scent.

And to see if she still suffered from anxiety. After that call with Audri, I made a mental note not to call her for an update on The Prism. I glanced at my watch. My conference call wouldn’t start for another three hours, so I had plenty of time for a chat.

Yanking the door open, I stepped inside and surveyed the cozy bookstore with only two tables. Natalie occupied one, while an older couple took up the other. They offered me a pleasant smile, and I returned the gesture.

I pulled out the empty chair at Natalie’s table and sat down, placing my takeout bag on the table.

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