Page 9 of Brighter Together

“Some?”

She smiles into her tablet. “I’m still gathering data.”

I almost laugh.

Almost.

She taps the screen. “Anything else before you disappear upstairs?”

“Occupancy figures.”

“Already on your desk.”

“Good.”

She turns towards the entrance.

I take a sip of coffee and nearly spit it out again.

It is approximately the temperature of molten lava.

Pain sears across my tongue, but I refuse to react.

Ella glances back at me.

“Everything all right?”

“Fine.”

“Alright then.”

There’s something suspiciously innocent about the way she says it.

“You might want to shower before your lunch meeting.”

“I know. I was already planning to,” I snap.

There.

Grumpy.

Much safer.

She starts walking again.

“Ella,” I stop her.

She turns.

“Thanks. For sorting the meeting.”

Her expression softens.

“You’re welcome.”

Then she looks at the mug in my hand.

“Oh, and Tommy?”