He pauses. “That’s probably fair.”
That’s probably fair?
“See, you’re not doing much to convince me this isn’t a trick. Did you hire someone to jump out at me on my way home or something? Give me some warning so I don’t wet my pants, at least.”
He laughs, shifting in his seat. “There’s no trick, I promise. But I do owe you an apology.”
I nearly fall out of the chair. “Say what? Come again?”
His cocksure smile suddenly looks a little... nervous. “I owe you an apology, Kate. You’re right, I was an asshole to you at our meeting. Working on this tax plan has been... challenging, let’s just put it that way. I haven’t been myself. It was a bad day, and the stress got to me.”
He rakes a hand through his hair, closing his eyes as he massages the back of his neck. When he opens them again, his hair is thoroughly mussed, with sections sticking up at all angles. It looks hilarious and disheveled and... kinda hot, actually. Like sexy bedhead. I mentally slap myself for the errant thought.
“I promise, I’m usually a nice person. People like me.”
“Are you kind of a big deal?”
“Absolutely. I’mverybusy and important.” He holds my gaze until we both start laughing. “Anyway, it’s not an excuse, just an explanation. I’m sorry I took my stress out on you.”
His genuine regret takes the wind out of my sails. I didn’t think he was capable of self-reflection or remorse, let alone an apology. It’s destabilizing—I marched into the lion’s den and instead encountered a declawed kitten. In the silence that follows, I find myself growing uncomfortable, unsure how to behave around him without guns blazing.
I eye him guardedly. “What brought on this crisis of conscience?”
“Maybe I just want to make sure you’ll put that on your key ring.”
“So is thatallyou’re sorry for?” I’m not letting him off the hook that easily.
“What do you mean? I think I’ve been pretty well behaved otherwise.” He raises one eyebrow, then the other, alternating back and forth. I wish I could do that. When I try, I look like I’m having a seizure.
“Belittling my work? Calling me names? You sorry for any of that?”
“What? No way. Getting under your skin is the most fun I’ve had in years.”
I blink in surprise as Ben grins at me from across the desk. I can’t quite decide if I’ve just been complimented or insulted, but there’s something so contagious about his smile that I find myself grinning back.
I clear my throat. “So does this mean we’refriendsnow? Or what?”
“Or what, I think.” His wink tells me he’s kidding.
I’m overheating again. Something about this office makes me sweaty. It’s stuffy and small and way too full of him.
“Well, anyway, thanks for this.” I hold up the key chain and move to get up, avoiding his eyes. “I’m feeling safer already.”
“Or you could just let me walk you,” Ben says casually. “The offer still stands.”
My heart jumps. “Oh no, you—I mean, I don’t...”Speak words, Kate.“I actually have plans tonight. Going out with some girls from the office. Well, some girls and Stephen,” I amend.
It’s not a lie—I actually do have plans tonight. It’s one of the girls’ birthdays and we’re taking her out for drinks. While I’d usually beg off—screaming over loud music is something I was happy to leave behind in college—I’ve decided it’s time to start putting myself out there more. I’m hardly going to meet Mr. Right if I’m home watching last night’s Shondathon.
“Ah. Well, have fun.” The way he’s eyeing me is so strange, but he sounds sincere at least.
I start to stand, then pause again. “Okay, can I just say one thing? You need to deal with this mess,” I say, motioning to his desk. “Nowonder you’re stressed-out—these piles could drive the Dalai Lama to a psychotic break.”
“I find other ways to relieve stress.” His eyes on mine are so green and intense, I get flustered and have to look away.
“H-how’s that?”Smooth, Kate.Stammering like a teenager. I may as well be wearing a neon sign that says,I’M THINKING DIRTY THOUGHTS.
He eyes me strangely. “Running.”
