AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What? N-no,” I stumbled over my words. Crap. Had he overheard something I said to Lila? How were our interactions somehow getting worse?
“Relax.” To my genuine shock, he let out a soft chuckle. My stomach did a flip at the sound. “I might be anti-social, but I’m far from stupid. I know what people think of me.”
“People don’t think that,” I insisted.
“Yes, they do. I’m not much for small talk, and I don’t connect easily. That’s why I like to keep things professional. Business is easier. It makes sense.”
“You don’t think connecting with other people makes sense? You’ve literally built a business based on connecting people.” Maybe the question was too personal, but I couldn’t help myself.
“Trust me, I can see the irony.” He blew out a breath and took a sip of his drink. “But for me, it’s never come naturally. Being here—forcing this conversation—it all feels so…convoluted and unnecessary.”
My heart fell a little at his sad admittance. “I guess it can feel that way with coworkers sometimes. You must have friends and family where connecting comes easily, right?”
He looked at me, and my palms started to sweat. I again found myself grateful he didn’t level me with his intense stare often.
“Not really,” he said.
My eyebrows furrowed in confusion at his revelation. “Seriously?”
He shrugged. “Seriously.”
“That’s the saddest thing I ever heard.” My hand clamped over my mouth, and I wished nothing more than to take back my thoughtless words. Instead of looking offended, a small smile played on his lips. Suddenly, I felt desperate to see him smile for real.
“I suppose most people think that. But I’m truly fine with my life. I like my work and people exhaust me. I don’t want to pretend I’m someone I’m not simply to form a rapport with someone.”
“Am I exhausting you now?” I asked.
He frowned and looked me up and down. “Shockingly, no.”
I tilted my head back and laughed. “Wow, what high praise. Can I use you as an endorsement on my dating profile? Charlie—she will shockingly not exhaust you.”
Another chuckle escaped his mouth as he shook his head. “To be fair, you were exhausting in our first meeting. You had to disagree with everything I said.”
“I only disagree when I’m right.”
“Are you in the habit of thinking you’re always right?”
“Typically.”
He nodded, a glimmer of approval in his eyes.
“I believe you.”
I hesitated, not wanting to kill our conversation but needing to know. “Sorry, I just have to ask. What was with our meeting today? I spent forever on that proposal, but you hardly looked at it and you gave no feedback.”
“I didn’t give feedback because you didn’t need it. The proposal was good—flawless, really.”
“You’re serious?”
“I don’t often joke.”
“Now that I definitely believe.”
Another smile formed on his lips. I found myself rapidly becoming addicted to being the reason behind them.
“I’m serious. Your proposal was well thought out, timely, and hit on all the points I’d expect it to. It was a more thorough job than even I would do, and that’s saying something. It was impressive.”
My mouth hung open. “Where was that praise in the meeting? You didn’t give me so much as a ‘good job.’”
