“Julia,” he says on a sigh. Then he takes in my frown. Which is probably more of a scowl. “What’s wrong?”
“I’ll do it. I’ll help out the Lite-Brite contract,” I spit the words out like an accusation.
It takes him a moment to connect what I’ve agreed to with my hostile body language.
“What? Okay, good.” He smiles.
I frown. His smile falters and he flicks a look to the side. “Is it good?” he questions.
“Yes.” I nod firmly, feeling my mouth still pursed. Better to keep it shut than spill what I just heard.
“Excellent.” He blinks at me, his gaze moving from plant to box and back to my face. He has a half-confused smile that is disarmingly charming. “I think,” he mumbles.
Dammit, he’s cute. “Where’s my office?” I ask, forcing myself back on track. I’m here to work and prove those two dingleberries wrong, not bask in the sunny personality of Nathaniel.
“Yeah, okay. Starting like, right now? Okay.” He pats his body as though looking for something then shakes his head. He turns around to and grabs a key from his desk. “I can take you there right now.”
“Fantastic,” I say.
“Um … are you okay?”
“I am happy to help the team,” I say, squeezing the box closer to my chest and picturing the smug faces of those two men. I’ll show them a lost cause. Shemesh-Tek is going to kick so much ass the whole town will talk about how awesome they are.
Nathaniel gestures down the hall. “I didn’t mean to pressure you, if you aren’t sure.”
“Oh, yeah. I’m sure,” I say it with a haughty laugh.
He looks me up and down again before unlocking an office and pushing open the door. I thump my box down loudly on a desk.
He seems skeptical. “Because you look like you want to punch something,” he says.
I force myself to relax the tension in my forehead and slap on a smile. At least I hope my expression looks like a smile and not like a growling mini poodle. “Fine. I promise.”
“Okay then. I’ll just let you get settled.” He stands just inside the office door, not moving.
I hold myself still, waiting for him to leave. His gaze goes soft as he looks at me.
“I’m really glad you’re here.”
“Me too.” I say softly.
I swallow with effort as our gazes hold.
“I’ll just let the team know the good news.” He taps my desk once before leaving the office. I close and lock the door after him. Once I’m alone, I let out a long breath and all the anger dissipates. Welp. That may have been an emotional decision.
“Well, you’re sure in it now, aren’t you?”
