Before she could say another word, the doors opened and a few people piled in. It was better that way.
When she walked out of the building, he was behind her. “Are you following me?”
She wasn’t too worried about saying that. If anyone saw them, they’d know she worked for him. It was outside the building. It was a stupid benign question.
“I need food,” he said. “You?”
“Me too. I left mine on the kitchen counter and my place might stink when I get home.”
“Distracted when you left?”
“Just a little.”
She turned to the first place, a deli she had noticed while walking. He followed her in.
“So youarefollowing me.”
“Not really, but there is no reason I can’t buy my new assistant lunch for putting up with me for a week.” Ethan lifted his hand to someone. “I don’t want you to quit on me so soon. Blair told me I had to be nice.”
“That’s Ethan for you,” some guy said. No one she knew, but it was a clue that they could be watched.
“Jared, this is Nora, my new assistant of one full week. Blair said she’s great and so far I agree. Got to keep her happy so I’m treating her and Blair to lunch. Nora, Jared Willard works in finance with Darin. You’ll see him now and again if you go down here.”
Oh, so it wasn’t just her then. Probably had more to do with Blair doing some extra work for Ethan in her last week.
She had to not get stressed over that either.
Just four and a half more days of training in person.
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said, shaking his hand. His name was called and he moved up to get his order at the end.
“Welcome to the company,” Jared said as he walked out.
Ethan leaned down to reach for a napkin and whispered, “There are several here.”
Things she’d have to recognize at some point. “Blair told me about this place,” she said. “I think I’ll get the grain bowl with grilled chicken.”
Ethan moved to the counter. “Two grain bowls with grilled chicken and one turkey club with fries.” He pulled his card out,tapped it to the screen, then took the receipt and moved to the side.
She wanted to pick on him about the French fries but told herself that would be out of line. And people were watching. Two more walked over and got an introduction.
“Thanks for lunch,” she said while they waited.
“No problem. Blair told you all my favorite places.”
“And a list of what you like and where.”
“So you knew what was mine,” he said, laughing.
“I did. Plus Blair told me the grain bowl is her favorite. It sounded good. She’s been swamped this morning. I’ve been working on my own.”
“I figured as much. It might be like that for a few days. You’re not nervous about this being her last week?”
“Noooo,” she said, nodding her head up and down.
He smiled. One that had a little something extra in his eyes that he’d have to watch out for. When she lifted her eyebrow his smile dropped. As if he knew what he did.
“You’ll be fine.”
