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As the project was talked about more and more, it became clear how much Lukas and his company were handling as well. He had brought in people to slot into the team Sarai already had, and they were handling everything else.
“They’re good people,” Tom said. “Mr. Whitby is held in high regard in the city. He’s done a lot for Chicago, and not just for the wealthy. He frequently takes on projects to rejuvenate poorer parts of the city. And rumors say he waives his fees and does those projects at cost.”
I almost stopped breathing as Tom and the rest of the large table of workers turned their conversation to the one man I was nervous about but desperately wanted to see all the same. No amount of time away from Lukas had changed my opinion of him. I had a crush on him. Big time.
But after the chemistry we had and how I’d felt with him, I knew it wasn’t surprising. With Lukas being discussed, I feared that Sarai or Richard would mention how much time I had spent with him while on Jack’s island, but they kept quiet about that part and instead talked about how pleased they were that he had agreed to work with them.
It was strange to hear a group of people talk about someone as if I didn’t really know him after everything that had transpired between us. It really had been subtle enough that we werespending time together that no one had picked up on anything out of the ordinary. I didn’t entirely know how I felt about that.
With what I’d felt between us, I would have hoped that more people than Juno had noticed. Either way, I knew I would see him again soon. Even if I didn’t know when, it sounded like he was still very much involved in this project and making sure it ran smoothly.
One way or another, I would find out if I meant anything to him or not.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Lukas
Although I had been enjoying the project with Sarai as much as I’d hoped, and it had made going to work each day a great experience again, I felt nervous this morning. My hands shook as I put on my tie, and I frowned when it still didn’t look right.
I had put it on twice today already, and every time I came to the bathroom, I took it off and redid it. I didn’t look my usual self, and I wasn’t satisfied. There was a really good chance that Kit would be on site today, and I needed to go over there.
The team had told me that she’d been in the US for a few days and already got to work, despite Sarai trying to show her around town and treat her like a tourist. I wanted Kit to like what she saw. Wanted to make a good impression, even if we were only likely to ever be friends.
While I was attempting to get my tie neat for the third time this bathroom visit, Henry walked in and stopped.
“You fussing with that again?” he asked, almost laughing.
“What’s so funny?” I almost growled my response, letting out some of the tension I felt. It was irritating me, and I knew I didn’t have much longer to get it right.
“You look great. Stop changing things and worrying about it. If this girl doesn’t like you with a practically imperceptibly imperfect tie, then there is something seriously wrong with her.” Henry folded his arms, standing in the middle of the restroom. I could see the look on his face in the mirror, but it didn’t stop me from undoing the tie again and starting over once more.
“I’m not doing this for her. I’m doing this for me.”
“Whatever you want to tell yourself, boss. I’ve never seen you bother this much with your appearance. You’re no slouch, but the client hasn’t had this level of pedantry out of you so far. And this woman is the only factor that’s changed.”
I let out an exasperated sigh and lowered my arms. Henry immediately came over and finished tidying up the tie for me, doing a surprisingly good job.
“There,” he said when he was done. “Now, if she doesn’t like it, you can blame me.”
“I’m not about to tell a woman that I let my PA do my tie for me.” I rolled my eyes at the suggestion, but Henry was grinning.
“So you do have some male pride after all.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” I moved toward the door, pretty sure I was now late to leave. And Henry was supposed to be going with me. I was holding him up as well.
Henry only chuckled and walked away. I left the room to let him do what he needed in private, but I lingered outside, taking a deep breath and trying to get my head on straight. At the same time, I pulled out my phone and checked the latest email with the schedule of what we needed to do.
If I focused on work, surely I would be able to calm down. This was a job, right? But no matter how much I tried to tell myself that, I knew that I had deeper feelings for Kit than I wanted to admit.
While I had been on the island, I had been so wrapped up in not wanting to be taken for a fool that I hadn’t considered howmuch I had enjoyed her company and how the event would have been difficult for me otherwise.
“Relax, boss,” Henry said as he came out of the bathroom. “You really do need to just get on with this job and treat her like any other professional on the team. No matter what you feel.”
“Most women don’t want that from me.” I walked with him toward the elevator, grateful to finally be heading that way, if nothing else.
“She was recommended to Sarai, right?” Henry asked, pressing the down button for me.
I nodded. “I think Juno did, but she’s a friend.”
