Page 52 of Tell Me Something

Blushing, I noticed that both she and Josh narrowed their eyes at Brian’s remark, probably wondering where it had come from.

Sasha’s smile didn’t meet her eyes when I shook her hand. I imagined there were very few who got the privilege of a true smile from her, and Brian’s comment hadn’t helped. Thanks a lot, Brian with an I. Just what I needed.

Sighing, I made small talk with everyone and finally excused myself. I was eager to head back to my hotel room and get some sleep for the next day.

Josh had barely looked in my direction. Considering he hadn’t tried to contact me, it was safe to assume he was annoyed. Shrugging it off since I hadn’t done a thing wrong, I fell asleep wondering what tomorrow would hold.

THE NEXT MORNING WAS HECTIC, getting the breakfast caterers in and setting everything up for the meetings.

Juliette, the office manager in Charlotte, was a few years older than me and full of energy. She knew absolutely everything about everyone in the company, as she had worked here for the last eight years. When she showed me pictures of her adorable infant son, it was hard to believe she’d just had a baby as her figure was so petite.

She and I decided we would switch off taking notes in the meetings. Thankfully, she volunteered to go first. That way I could use her format and get a sense of what would be expected when it was my turn in the afternoon.

After Josh went into the first meeting with barely a glance at me, I made myself comfortable in his spacious office. I finished up a conversation with Nigel and then called Maria to finalize our London plans.

That’s when Josh walked in, looking surprised to see me.

Finishing my call, I hung up the phone. “Sorry to take over your space. I thought you were in meetings until lunch, so I was making some calls.”

He stopped and stood there, staring at me.

“I’ll leave.” I started gathering my stuff.

He moved toward me. “No, you don’t need to. I’m only here now because what’s the point of being the boss if you can’t walk out of a meeting every now and again?”

“Good point.”

He wrestled with what to say. “I was caught off guard last night at dinner when Brian asked to take you to Hong Kong. I got the distinct impression his request involved more than your administrative skills.”

I instantly bristled. “Well, how about the fact that I can speak fluent Cantonese? Maybe he could want me for that skill set.”

He crossed over to the window and closed the blinds, all the while never taking his eyes off me.

I swallowed hard. This one act of his was turning me on. It was like he was setting the stage.

“Considering his comment about your running, I highly doubt that was the only reason.”

I could only sigh in frustration. “First of all, I was only working out. He was funny. I laughed. He mentioned Hong Kong and that he knew I could speak the language. That was it.”

“I’ve known Brian for a lot of years. At dinner he was pumping me for information about you.” He crossed back to his door and locked it.

“So, what did you say about me traveling to Hong Kong with him?” I honestly didn’t care to go, but it pissed me off that I was being judged for merely running on a treadmill.

He crossed toward me. Once again, his dark green eyes never left my face. “I told him that I needed you with me.”

“Oh,” I managed.

He touched my cheek. “Did you want me to tell him that he could take you to Hong Kong, Haylee?” He got me right in my sweet spot with the way he said my name.

I shook my head.

“Not even a little bit?” he teased. “Brian is a good-looking, successful guy: never married, no kids, decent, fun. So what’s the problem?”

I chose to leave him unsatisfied with my answer. “Geography, for one.” I lifted my chin in defiance.

His eyes darkened. “Cute. Now tell me why you don’t want Brian.”

I wasn’t budging. “Why don’t you tell me why you don’t want me to go to Hong Kong with him first?”