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She sighed, her shoulders slouching in her designer dress. “Fine. But I won’t like it.”
He pressed the button for the elevator and smiled. “I’m sure you won’t.”
After his impromptu breakfast with Taylor, Bran strolled toward his office. He came to an abrupt halt when he saw Addi scrambling in the lap drawer of her desk for a tissue, fresh tears wetting her cheeks. She pasted on a smile that wasn’t the least bit sincere.
“Hey,” he said, unsure what else to say.
He had a mother. He had a sister. Seeing either of them in tears made him feel two things: helpless...and helpless. He felt the same way now.
“Morning,” she said. “How was the meeting with Frank?”
He could pretend not to notice. Save her the embarrassment. But what kind of jerk would he be if he did that? His goal was to keep her from leaving and if her tears had to do with something he could help with professionally he needed to know about it.
“The meeting went well. I ran into Taylor on the way back.”
“Oh good. She was looking for you.” Addi blinked damp eyes at him, but she didn’t appear to be reeling from Taylor’s visit.
No, Addi’s eyes were filled with sadness. Something had broken her heart. Or someone. Did he guess wrong about her being single? Did she have a boyfriend she never talked about?
He lowered himself onto the corner of her desk, catching sight of cream-colored card stock and a black envelope. Fancy. The kind of paper used for—
“A wedding?” he guessed.
Those sad blue eyes turned up to his, her expression both startled and vulnerable.
“The invitation,” he clarified. “Weddings aren’t always good news.” Especially if, for example, the groom was her ex.
“Oh, um, no. It’s a family...reunion.” She stuffed the invitation into her planner. Formal for a family reunion, but okay.
“Everything all right?” he asked gently.
“Yes! Completely fine.” Her smile was shaky. “Family can be tricky.”
“Try working with them every day.”
Her smile was genuine this time and made this awkward interchange worth it in every way. “I couldn’t walk by and pretend not to notice. I’m not that obtuse.”
“Ha!” She slapped her hand over her smile, then waved the air in front of her. “I’m sorry. Ignore me. I’m fine. Honestly.”
Against his better judgment, he captured her smaller hand in his. “You’re human. It’s okay to cry.”
Warmth between their palms radiated up his arm, attraction snapping the air between them like a leashed alligator. Meanwhile, Addi regarded him like he was a leashed alligator.
He gave her hand a squeeze before dropping it and standing from her desk. “If you need to take off—”
“No. Thank you.” Her tears had dried already, her smile glued into place.
“Don’t say I didn’t offer.” He pointed at his office door. “You know where to find me.”
He shut himself inside and sat in his chair, eyeing the Post-it stuck to his laptop that read, Taylor stopped by. Not urgent. Addi’s handwriting was pretty and delicate, like she’d been a moment ago. Whatever family thing was going on—if that was the truth—he didn’t like how it’d affected her.
His cell phone buzzed with a reply to his earlier text to Tammie. When he’d sent it, he wasn’t sure if he was hoping she’d reply or hoping she wouldn’t. Similarly, he wasn’t sure whether or not to read it.
He grabbed his cell phone anyway, too curious to ignore her reply.
Been a while.
A long-ass while.
