Page 8 of Brighter Together

“Yes, but you make it sound dramatic.”

“It is dramatic. You were rescuing someone from a mountain.”

“We got an injured walker down a hill.”

“A mountain sounds better.”

I look at her.

She smiles.

Of course she does.

“And how are you?” she asks.

“Fine.”

“Good.”

She holds out the mug. “Coffee?”

“Thanks.”

Our fingers brush when I take it.

My hand jerks back before I can stop it and a little coffee sloshes against the rim.

Brilliant.

Ella’s gaze drops to the mug, then lifts to my face.

I pretend nothing happened.

She does the same, which somehow annoys me.

“Your diary is clear until twelve-thirty,” she continues, glancing at her tablet. “Simon from King’s Travel is coming for lunch, then you’ve got the department heads at three.”

“That it?”

“For now.”

“Good.”

I reach into the back of the car for my jacket. When I straighten again, she’s still standing there.

“You need something else?”

“No. I was just wondering whether mountain rescuers are always this cheerful after a successful callout.”

“I’m cheerful.”

She gives me a long look.

“Convincing,” she says sarcastically.

“I’ve been awake since five.”

“That explains some of it.”