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“I know. That’s why I’ve given you all my materials. You were always the one that was going to present it.”
“I can’t this time.” He looked strained—like he was holding back from telling me something.
“What is it?” I demanded.
“Nothing. I just can’t make it,” he insisted.
I eyed him up and down as he fidgeted with his sleeve. “We’ve been working together for close to a decade. I know you’re hiding something.”
He blew out a breath, grabbing the door to my office and swinging it closed behind him.
“Fine. But you have to pretend like you know nothing.” He pointed at me sternly. “Skylar is pregnant. We’ve got our first doctor’s appointment that day and I refuse to miss it. I’m not going to be that guy that puts work before my family.”
My eyes widened at the unexpected news.
“Congratulations,” I said, meaning it. To think, my once notorious playboy business partner was now not only married but expecting. I would have thought he, of all people, would never settle down.
“You can’t tell Sky I told you,” he demanded.
I rolled my eyes. “When do she and I ever talk?”
He shrugged. “I’ve invited you to dinner a few times.”
I shot him a look. They were empty invites and he knew it. Though Ben and I would always maintain a certain level of friendship, as the years passed, it became evident that our relationship was better suited for a business partnership.
“Seriously, don’t say anything. It’s still early and Skylar doesn’t want anyone to know.”
“Who would I tell?” That was true enough. Aside from Charlie, I had hardly had more than one conversation with anyone else in this building.
“So you’re good to present, then?”
“As if I have a choice.”
A triple knock at the door sounded.
“Come in,” I said.
My jaw tensed as Charlie opened the door. She smiled at Ben before returning her gaze to me. I forced my eyes to remain on hers.
“Hey, sorry to interrupt. I wanted to let you know the contractors found that outlier we were looking for the other day.”
“That’s great. Why don’t you walk me through it.”
She set her laptop down on my desk and spun it so that lines of code faced me. I scanned through it in silence.
“I’ve got an idea,” Ben interjected. “Why doesn’t Charlie join you for the presentation.”
My breath caught in my throat at his casual suggestion.
“What presentation?” she asked.
“Nathan here has to present our progress to the board in two days. Since you’ve been so vital to the integration, it might be helpful to have you there. It doesn’t hurt that you’re so…polished.”
A nice way of saying that I come across as an arrogant ass to the board and she would make the perfect buffer.
“Oh.” Her full lips formed the word, and I couldn’t tear my thoughts away from when I almost had them. “I suppose I could do that.”
“It’ll be in San Diego,” I said, my tone curt. I wasn’t sure if I was trying to encourage this or discourage it. Every instinct I had wanted to draw Charlie closer, but every logical thought in my mind told me I was playing with fire.
