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“Barrett—”
“Catarina. I don’t want you to do it for me. I’ve got this.”
I close my mouth when he uses my full name. It’s rare that he trots it out.
“I respect your right to improve on your own merit,” I say. Reluctantly.
“I don’t know what that means, but thanks.”
Beneath the table, I kick his shoe with the toe of mine. He sends me a smile, another wink, and then goes back to eating his lunch. I guess we’ll deal with the consequences when we return to the office.
I pull my purse into my lap and dig around for my cellphone, coming up empty.
“Looking for something?” he asks.
“Yes. My phone. I could’ve sworn I tossed it into my purse before we left.”
“You did. I have it.”
“When? Why?”
“I lifted it while we were in the elevator and put it on silent. I knew Mia would call. I didn’t want you to have to deal with her.”
Rage hits me like a runaway train. “Tell me you’re joking.”
He pulls my phone out of his pocket. I stand and snatch it, noticing several texts from Mia and three missed calls.
“Great. Just great.” I read the texts, my mind a tangle of panicked thoughts.
“I take it she’s mad,” he says, calm as ever.
“Of course she’s mad!” I earn more unwanted attention from nearby tables. “How dare you? This is my work!”
“You’ll be fine. I’m the one who’s in trouble.”
“Not now that I’ve ignored her and you’ve missed your deadline!”
A suited man rushes to our table. “Excuse me, folks, but does there seem to be a problem?”
“Yes...George,” I say after reading his name tag. The word “MANAGER” is under his name. It’s no surprise we’ve summoned him. Trouble shadows Barrett Fox’s wherever he goes. “But it’s my problem. You’ll be glad to know I’ll be dealing with it far away from your fine establishment.”
“I’ll behave myself,” Barrett promises George. Then to me, “See you at the office, sweetheart.”
“Don’t sweetheart me.” I march away, purse on my shoulder, head down as I peck a text to Mia letting her know I’m on my way.
Chapter 21
Catarina
Around four o’clock, Barrett walked into Mia’s office. I heard him knock and say her name. I stood up in time to watch over my privacy wall as she opened the door for him and he invited himself in. Then the door shut.
That was thirty minutes ago.
I passed by a few times, pretending to go to the restroom, then pretending to fill my coffee cup. I’ve now dropped all pretenses, taking to pacing back and forth in front of the slatted blinds covering her windows. I can make out the outline of their figures, but the angle of the blinds prevents me from seeing more.
Just as I gather my courage to knock on Mia’s door, it swings aside, and I’m greeted with a tall, handsome Barrett.
“Hey, Kitty Cat.”
