Noah’s smile became soft.
“Were you?”
“I had a rule about employees.”
“You told me.”
“I took it seriously.”
“Until the green lamp.”
“Yes.”
“Tell me something you haven’t told me before.”
I looked toward the harbor.
“Our first argument happened before our first date.”
“What about?”
“You reorganized my office.”
“That seems helpful.”
“You threw away a box of old invoices.”
“Were they important?”
“No.”
“Then I was right.”
“You had worked at the yard four days.”
“I was efficient.”
“You told me the office smelled like wet cardboard and regret.”
Noah laughed.
I watched the sound move through him.
“That is excellent.”
“You apologized the next morning.”
“Why?”
“You thought I would fire you.”
“Did you consider it?”
“No.”
“What did you do?”
“Bought a filing cabinet.”
