You were sitting next to me when we kissed.
She didn’t have to say the words.
He shrugged.“It feels impersonal with you over there and me over here as if it’s business, as usual.”
“Since we’re in the office, it’s safer.”
“Okay, you’re right about that.”
She studied him, while he eyed her as though this would be the last time he’d see her for a while.Finally, he inhaled deeply and checked his watch.
Her gaze slid to the clock.They had fifteen minutes before anyone else arrived.Since she’d come to her senses and slid off his lap yesterday, Lizette wondered what had gotten into her.That was the most impulsive encounter she’d had in her life.
Shomari didn’t act without thinking, or so she’d felt before his lips landed on hers.She couldn’t deny she’d been a willing participant, meeting him halfway if memory served her right.And all of that came from sitting too close and observing him.
He pulled one hand down his jaw, then crossed his arms.“I don’t know what Zack or Eli told you.”
“Nothing.”She sank further into the seat.“They told me nothing.”
He didn’t look at her when he said, “I don’t know where to start, but I have some financial issues.”
Opening both hands, she said, “Which is why you took this job.”
“Yes.Don’t get me wrong.I like it here, but …”
“A daycare is not where you saw yourself, say six months ago,” she supplied.
“Yes, exactly.”He walked to the seat and sat on the edge.“So, that kiss complicated an already bad situation.”
“So, you’re saying kissing me made a terrible thing even worse?”
“Yes.”He massaged his forehead with one hand, then pulled it away as shock lit his eyes.“No.”
“Shomari, whatever you intend to say, you aren’t saying it well.”She smiled, amazed that having thought about him all of yesterday and again this morning, he was in a worse state than she and didn’t seem to know his head from his feet.This, after stepping into her office so confidently.
“Why don’t you start wherever you’re comfortable?”
He turned a pained gaze on her, then tapped the floor with his feet.“I’m not comfortable with any of this.I’m a very private person, so …”
“I understand.It’s like pulling teeth to say whatever it is you want me to know.”
“Exactly.”He sneaked another look at his watch.“I’m interested in you.Too much to have met you only recently.Working together will be hard … and I don’t want to create any problems for you, or additional ones for myself.”
“Shomari …”
He held up one hand.“I had to take this job because I lost most of my money.”
With her head angled toward him, she said, “I hope it’s not from gambling.”
Chuckling, he explained, “No, more like a bad bet on the wrong, um, person.”
“What, like a bad investment?”
“Sort of, but not exactly.”
“Shomari.”
The exasperation in her tone was apparent, and he held up both hands in a silent plea.“I’m sorry.I can’t say more now.The time isn’t right.”
