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“We're trying, Amy. Give us a chance,” she pleaded.
“Look,” I said tiredly, “It's late. Can we just have dinner?”
Chapter 17
Amy
Isteppedofftheelevator onto the sixth floor of Reed Biotech, feeling overwhelmed and strengthened all at once. It had taken a whole night of thinking and, in the end, I came to the conclusion that I would take Daniel’s offer.
It was a good offer, and it allowed me to help not only Jordan but a lot of other people, too. Jennifer's lawyer had also given the go ahead. My feelings about Daniel didn’t matter.
Diana had seemed disappointed when I called to tell her I wouldn’t be accepting her offer, but she seemed hopeful that we could work together down the road on something else.
I was so deep in my thoughts I almost missed Daniel waiting at the elevator with an indecipherable look. Was he waiting for me? He also appeared lost in thought. His suit was dark green, and it made his dark hair look more intense. When he was relaxed in thought like this, he looked younger and his facial features were actually pleasant.
Honestly, he was fucking hot, and I enjoyed the opportunity to take in the view.
Something snapped him out of his daze, and he morphed into the unpleasant character he truly was. He watched me silently and offered nothing by way of greeting or welcome. He seemed to be taking me in, scanning my body. My blood warmed and my pulse sped up under his appreciative gaze. I was happy I picked these fitted gray pants. I knew for a fact they made my butt look amazing.
“Daniel? Er, Mr. Reed?” I tried to get his attention. I was unsure as to how long the staring match should continue.
He nodded.
“Follow me.”
He went off in a determined stride and I followed, wondering who had annoyed him that morning or if this was just his default state. We strolled past lines of closed doors until we stopped before one and he pushed it open. I stepped in after him and gasped lightly as I was shoved into a world of scientific delight. There were so many lights overhead and several pieces of state-of-the-art equipment were mounted on the tables and in the cabinets and cupboards that lined the walls. This place had everything a scientist could ever want or dream of.
There were some people there already, and they came forward, offering polite smiles as they were introduced.
“Dr. Auburn,” he introduced a particularly tall woman, taller than most men I knew. “This is Dr. Amy Palmer.”
“A pleasure,” she said curtly. He introduced Harvey and Janice, who were research assistants. They were all supposed to report directly to me. Harvey eyed me subjectively and seemed somewhat unimpressed by whatever conclusion he came to, while Janice smiled tightly and seemed to want to leave. Already, I could sense how interesting working here would be.
They all left once the introductions were done, and I walked around the room for a while, examining the equipment.
“Many of them aren't exactly delighted about this arrangement,” Daniel said out of nowhere.
"I could tell that much." It only made sense that they weren't pleased. A group of researchers could be a tight community and having a stranger come out of nowhere to head their team and give orders didn't always go down so well. I'd have to find a way to get them to warm up to me. It would have been easier if I was some big well-known scientist. Then maybe they would see me as possessing a legitimate right to head the team.
“And here is this that you requested,” he said, handing me a white lab coat. My name was embroidered on the chest. It hadn’t been a part of the request, but I appreciated the detail. “Do you always wear this at work?”
I frowned at his tone. “What? Why?” I asked, although I knew what he was referring to.
“This drab, extra-large lab coat.”
“It's for work,” I quipped. “Not pageantry.” I slipped it on. I actually thought this fit and style was somewhat flattering. You know, for a drab, extra-large lab coat.
He leaned in closer to me. “You could do both. I liked the green dress better.” His voice was lower and a spark of something darkened his blue eyes.
“Thank goodness my wardrobe isn't subject to your preferences,” I said sarcastically.
“Are you always this fidgety?" he asked instead. “Or is it just me?”
I hadn’t realized I kept shifting my feet.
“Can't help feeling unsettled by your asshole-ry,” I mocked. It was always my resort when feeling cornered or defensive.
He chuckled lightly, apparently finding my mockery of him funny.
