Malcolm mouths the wordtolerable, then says, “Am…I also a tolerable boss?”
I deadpan. “No.”
He sags. “What a relief.”
My lips pinch. “You don’t want to be tolerable?”
“Of course not.” He drops his hand from his face. “Tolerableis practicallyindifferent. I’d loathe to be a point of indifference to you.”
Uh-huh… Interesting. Considering my singular goal in life is to maintain nothing less.
Indifferently, I check my notes. “Is there anything else for right now, sir?”
“Now you’re just being mean.”
“Sorry. Is there anything else for right now,crow?” I comment, drily.
His cold attention heats. “Very mean.” He waves a flippant hand. “No, dearest dove. I’ve no other games to play with you at the moment. A pity, I’m sure.”
Holding my tone on a taut leash, I drawl, “Massive shame.” I start heading back to my desk. “I’ll begin researching cello musicians and finalize the invitations with Iverson, then.”
“Wait.”
I stop, feet from the exit.
“Turn around.”
Despite the new dynamics sprouting between us, old habits die hard, and I face him.
Head cocked against the backrest of his chair, he takes me in, a certain despicable high wafting off him. “Go out with me this weekend. Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow, I can’t.”
“Truly? What are you doing?”
“I shop and meal prep on Saturdays. It’s an all-day event.”
He perks.
Before he can speak, I say, “No, you can absolutely not be anywhere near me or my food while I’m preparing it.”
Sad puppy returns, a mournful edge to his voice as he mutters, “Sunday, then?”
Unfortunately, I am free. “What do you want to do?”
He refuses to tell me, or let me leave, until I agree to let him pick me up at two.
Chapter Thirteen
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A darling dove and her wicked crow.
Malcolm
“This is the single worst date idea for someone like me that I can possibly think of,” Azalea exhales, staring with trepidation at the paint-your-own pottery storefront in the Vexillum Western Mall.
“You mustn’t have a very vivid imagination. I can think of at least ten things you’d hate more,” I say, ushering her inside via proximity alone. It’s great. With every inch I move, she takes a step away as though she’s being chased.
