“Were you in the lab?” I ask. I can’t think of why he’d be walking around this building.
“No. Not that it’s any of your business,” he adds smoothly.
What was this guy’s deal? From the moment I started, he’s been weird with me. He doesn’t even know that I heard him talking to that William guy. Unless … maybe he saw me that day? Is he worried I’ll tell Nathaniel? I haven’t thought about that conversation at all since I started, but I’m wondering if I should. Especially since Nathaniel and I are much closer now.
Never one to play games, I decide to put it all out there. “Listen, if you’re upset with my work that’s one thing—”
“Your work is fine. Just … just know that I’m watching you.”
“Excuse me? You’re watchingme?”
He leans forward, pointing a finger in my face. “You can flirt with Jared and Nathaniel but you better—”
My eyebrows shoot up. Is that what this is about? He thinks I’m a flirt? What a sexist asshat.
“I’m going to stop you right there.” I hold up my hand. “You do not talk to me like that.”
I walk away, done with this conversation, when he grabs my wrist. But I’m too on edge. A small electric shock causes him to wince and drop my arm.
His eyes are wide as he studies his hand. I want to explain it away but I also don’t want to bring any more attention to myself. Besides, I’m not in the wrong here. He’s the one shooting accusations and touching me.
“Do not touch me again,” I say carefully.
Ken’s nostrils flare as his mouth works like he’s fighting something. In the end, he shakes his head, deciding I’m not worth it.
“Women,” he mutters and walks away.
I so badly want to shout at him. I take a deep breath and hear my grandma’s soothing voice.Some people are just unhappy in their lives and they want to bring others down.
I decide to let it go. Tell myself he’s lashing out at me because I represent another woman in his life who doesn’t want him. Maybe I’m generalizing to give myself the high horse to ride out on, but regardless, I don’t want to rise to his bait. I don’t want him to take his frustrations out on Nathaniel and the team.
Just before he’s out of sight, he says, “Don’t screw this up.”
I bite my tongue and he’s gone before I can say anything else. Oh, the irony. Me screw this up? What the hell was that about? Does he think I’m going to sabotage the project with my “womanly wiles” or some BS?
I don’t want to hurt Nathaniel. That’s the last thing I want to do. It’s why I keep walking away when I want to stay. It’s why I’m more sensitive than radioactive material. I’m trying to protect him. I don’t want to hurt him, but a deep voice inside of me says that I have already set the course. That my hurting him is as inevitable as the setting sun.
I close my eyes to take a steadying breath before going back to my office.
* * *
Nathaniel
Jared walks in and shuts the conference room door. Jesus, my life is a series of closed-door conversations these days.
I don’t want to talk to Jared—no offense to him—because I want to follow Julia. She was looking at me like she wanted to unwrap me like a piece of candy before running away. I’m not the savviest guy, but the look on her face could have burned through my clothes. Probably literally.
“What’s up, bud?” I ask.
He tongues his lip piercing and squints one eye. “So, this is a bit awkward …”
My foot taps rapidly on the floor. “Okay?”
He tilts his head back and forth, all the while still playing with the hoop in his lip.
“Tell me. It’s just me. You know I can take it,” I say.
“You and Julia aren’t being as discreet as you think.”
