“I’ve never heard it.” I scratched my nose. “Maybe it’s specific to your neighborhood. Which wouldbe. . .?”
“I’m fromBoston.”
“I know, but I couldn’t find much about your background beyond that. And I need to know these things.” I sniffed. “To do myjob.”
He took a few steps back and opened the door to the bar, still facing me. “Knowing the neighborhood I grew up in is pertinentinformation?”
KnowingSebastianwas. And while his past eluded me, I still had a largely incomplete picture of him. “Yes,” I said withconviction.
“Good to know.” He gestured through the doorway. “Coming in or not? We’re all waiting onyou.”
“Oh,” I said, jumping into action. “Sorry.”
“Well . . . that’s better,” he said as Ipassed.
At one end of the bar, my new coworkers had gathered under a string of paper flags in every color of the rainbow. “What is?” I asked, heading in theirdirection.
“You, not fighting me at every turn.” Suddenly, he was right at my back, his voice lowered. “I much prefer it that way. I call, youcome.”
Chills traveled up my spine. I almost stumbled but managed to compose myself. Even if he hadn’t meant it suggestively, it’d sounded that way—his voice low, warm breath at my ear. He wouldn’t be able to see my furious blushing from behind me, but I suspected he knewanyway.
His words alone inspired a thrill I hadn’t felt since my early days with Neal. A thrill that lasted all the way until we reached the group. But as the bartender looked right over my head to take Sebastian’s order, I saw his comment for what it was—the first compliment he’d given me, and it haddoormatwritten all overit.
“Call all you want, and see if I come,” I said, walking away before he couldrespond.
7
Georgina
Sebastian stayedat his end of the bar. Whether he scowled in my direction or ignored me completely, I wasn’t sure since I avoided looking athim.
Justin came and set a shot in front of me. “Hanging in there?” heasked.
I nodded. “Why wouldn’t Ibe?”
“You and Sebastian have put nearly the entire office between yourselves, not just tonight but all week. I was surprised you even showed up to work on Tuesday considering how he spoke to you the firstday.”
Which time?Sebastian had cut deep both at the café and in his office, and since I’d only seen his mood darken around me, it was becoming apparent I inspired that in him. Either way, I’d definitely struck a nerve in Sebastian Quinn, when all I’d really wanted was to do the opposite. Everyone’s lives would be easier if he and I worked together instead of fighting each other at every turn. I even respected that Sebastian believed so strongly in his work and his team that he’d fall on his sword for it. But that was just the kind of thing I’d been hired to prevent.Modern Manneeded a lifeline, not adeathblow.
“It’ll take more than a tantrum to keep me away,” Isaid.
Justin clinked his shot against mine and took it. “I wanted to tell you that Sebastian—he’s a really good guy,” he said, sucking on a lime. “I’m not just saying that because he’s my boss and my best friend. He’s a softie inside.” His eyes lit up. “He volunteers on Thanksgiving, visits his sister every month, and cries duringTitanic. He’s got some personal issues, but he’s goodpeople.”
I twirled my empty shot glass, trying to seem disinterested. It wasn’t that I wanted Justin to tell me more about Sebastian’s personal life, but Ididhave to work with the man. I needed to know if I should keep a straightjacket sized “big and tall” on hand, or if Sebastian was just throwing a hissy fit. “When you say issues . . .? I’m just asking in case I need to be concerned for my safety,” Iteased.
“Normal stuff. We all got ’em.” Justin shrugged. “What’reyours?”
I raised my eyebrows at him. “Now who’s the jobtherapist?”
“The more I know, the more I can smooth the way for you and Sebastian. And, you know, whip you each into shape. Or you can whip each other—nojudgment.”
“Justin,” Iscolded.
He showed me his palms. “Sebbly’s been pretty grumpy since the exposé came out, but I haven’t seen him this worked up in awhile.”
“Sebbly?”
“Tip number one—don’t call him that. I have all kinds of nicknames for him, mostly to use behind his back. He’s anti-nicknames in general, thinks they’rejuvenile.”
