"He said I can start with sports bras for now, which works for me since that's really all I need, anyway."
I smile, placing the last cutlet into the container and picking up the clear lid. "Well, there you go then."
She switches out the blue in her hand for a brown that matches the color of her hair. "Thanks," she says, outlining the long ponytail of the woman in her picture. It's not lost on me that she assumes her mom would look just like her, when in reality, her brunette locks and natural caramel highlights are identical to her father's.
"For what?" I ask, snapping the lid tight.
She glances up at me and flashes me a knowing grin. "I know you talked to him."
I throw my hands up quickly. "I just told him we passed a—"
"I know," she says reassuringly. She goes back to shading, and I turn around slowly toward the fridge, taking a deep breath in an attempt to reset the emotions I've already run through during this conversation.
"I'm glad Dad hired you," Ruthie adds suddenly. Her tone is nonchalant, and she never stops moving her pencil, but I still freeze all the same.
Somehow, with my hand wrapped around the long handle of the refrigerator, my heart glows and my stomach sinks simultaneously. Ruthie's glad I'm here, and that means everything. But judging by his latest quick escape, Liam's still unsure.
My mind once again drifts back to the conversation I had with myself earlier about all of this being about her. Every day we grow closer, and every day I'm reminded of why I'm here. What I'm good at. My purpose.
"Me too," I toss back over my shoulder. Ruthie smiles to herself as she continues coloring, and I do too as I set the food on the shelf.
Now if we could just get Liam to agree.
"Surprise!" I pop into Trevor's open office, and his eyes dart to mine.
"Tess," he says, confused, glancing around at the other work spaces. "What are you doing here?"
I step in further, dropping the brown paper bag in my hand onto his desk. "I brought lunch."
He eyes the bag from the taco truck we love, then looks at me. "Aren't you supposed to be working?"
I slide the food over and prop myself on the edge of his desk. "Liam has an off day today before they travel, remember? I texted you. He's having Brooke watch Ruthie at his team meeting this morning, then the two of them have a little meeting of their own."
He looks at me blankly as if he doesn't watch his phone for countless hours of the day.
"Birthday party plans," I continue anyway.
Trevor tips his chin up, then shakes his head, confusion on his face. "Wait, why is she with Brooke? Isn't that your job?"
His words sting. Maybe it's because I've thought the same thing or maybe it's that I'm genuinely trying here, and he seems nothing but irritated.
I shrug. "Technically, I guess—it could be, yeah. But Ruthie hung out with Brooke a lot before he hired me, so maybe she just missed it. Or maybe he wanted to give me the day off too… I don't know."
He raises his brows, looking down at his computer screen and tapping on his keyboard.
"Whatever, I thought it would be a good chance to have lunch," I add brightly, though it feels forced.
He stares for an extra beat at his monitor, then glances over at the tacos. Finally, he peers up at me before his face finally settles into a grin. "Yeah, alright. That's cool." I smile, relieved. "Let's just take this outside. The last thing I need is to be the guy who stunk up the office."
Heat rushes up my neck. "Sorry, didn't think about that."
Trevor stands, picks up the bag, and tosses his arm over my shoulder. "Don't be, babe. It's all good." I sink into him slightly as we walk through the office, his hand sliding down my spine until it rests on my much lower back.
We pass several people in their cubicles as Trevor guides us toward the back door of the building—one woman in particular who seems to notice. I walk beside him, very aware that his hand slides slightly off my ass cheek as he goes out of his way to greet her.
"I didn't realize you were so friendly with the people in your office."
Trevor drops his hand and pushes open the exit door that leads out to a small but beautiful courtyard lined with what seems like ten different colored pansies. I walk through to find there are a handful of metal outdoor tables, some long rectangles, some more intimate circles, and a couple of short stone pillars that could be either decor or alternative seating.
