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She stared, part in shock, part in awe.
He opened the door, and she went inside and turned on the lights.
“Tell me there’s a coffee pot in here,” he said.
“One of those individual cup thing brewers, yes.” She pointed toward the corner. “You’ll find everything you need over there.”
He regarded her for a moment, and she squirmed a little uncomfortably. He stood close, too close. But she refused to let him know just how badly he affected her.
Nathan put down his manila folder at the head of the table. He placed the pen atop it at a jaunty angle. “Can I make you a cup?” he asked as he walked away, giving her some much-needed space and simultaneously leaving her uncomfortable that she hadn’t offered to make his.
“I’ve had enough, thanks.” Kelsey took her customary place, first chair to his right, and she experienced an unwelcome awkwardness as she watched him try to figure out how to work the coffeemaker.
Then, just because she didn’t have it in her to get any satisfaction from watching him struggle any longer, she sighed and stood. “Let me help.” She joined him and pointed to the pods. “The ones on the top row are regular. We keep the decaf ones beneath them.”
He plucked a pod from the top row. “Don’t suppose it can hold two of them?”
“What time did you get up?”
“Three,” he replied.
“Seriously?”
“It’s a big day.”
“For all of us.” She poured water into the machine and showed him which button to press.
“We’ll need to order new mugs, pens, pads,” he said, as he picked up a cup emblazoned with the Newman company logo.
Kelsey nodded. “I’ll see to it when I order the corporate giveaways for the party.”
“These need to be gone today.”
“I’ll handle it. Where can I find camera-ready art?”
He tapped his watch and entered a reminder. “I’ll have them to you five minutes after we’re done in here.”
As she started to turn away, he touched her elbow. Kelsey froze as white-hot lightning seared a jagged path through her.
“We don’t have to be enemies.” His voice was lower than it had been before.
Unconsciously, she moved in closer in order to hear him better. Then, realizing what she had done, she took a step back. “Sugar is in there.” She pointed to a glass jar. “And creamer is in the fridge.” Needing to escape, she hurried back to the table.
“Please take the chair at the far end,” he said.
She blinked. “Mr. Newman preferred I sit next to him.” He relied on her to jot reminders on his pad, keep the meeting moving along and to ensure he covered everything he wanted to talk about.
“And I’d prefer you do as I ask.”
Her temper started to simmer.
It had been less than a minute since they’d each offered a peace token, and the very next time they spoke, they were at odds. It wasn’t just his words, it was his implacable, immovable tone. The man was obviously accustomed to being obeyed. In all things.
Kelsey knew her capitulation wouldn’t come easily, and it wasn’t an option in the long term. She just wasn’t capable of it.
“You’re a bigger asset to me if you’re at the far end of the table,” he continued. “Divide and conquer, as it were. If there’s gossip, you’ll be able to stanch it. And if we’re separated, we’ll be able to answer twice the questions.” The coffeemaker spit out the last few drips, and he grabbed the cup. “By placing you there, I’m also sending a message that I hold you in high regard. It’s a good strategic move.”
His logic was sound and reasonable, but no less annoying for it.
“Please,” he added.
She exhaled. “Of course, Mr. Donovan.”
“You have no idea how much I like hearing those words.”
On the contrary. She suspected she did.
He took a drink of his coffee and closed his eyes. For a moment, she caught a glimpse of the stress that he, too, had obviously been experiencing.
Afraid that she was close to feeling a little sympathy for him, Kelsey shoved it away. After gathering her belongings, she carried them to the far end of the table.
Moments later, Martha swept in smelling as if she’d bathed in lavender. Her long silver hair had shocking chunks of black laced through it. Her toenails were still Halloween orange, and her black T-shirt bore a picture of her oldest grandchild. If that hadn’t been enough to demolish the tension between Kelsey and Nathan, her infectious smile would have. It was as if she’d personally hand delivered a ray of sunshine.
“Ciao.” She waved a hand that was weighted down with rings bearing the birthstones of her kids and a dozen grandkids.
