He was adorable. I needed to get a hold of myself. If anything was ever going to happen between us, I at least needed to wait until after Christmas.
9
FALLON
Before my promotion, I had moved into my own one-bedroom apartment at the end of November. With only my bed, dresser and a desk, my family felt sorry for me and gave me a couch and TV as housewarming gifts. I didn’t care that I had almost nothing to move and the apartment was nearly empty. I loved my new place. It was close to work so I could walk if the weather permitted it. Otherwise, I could easily get a taxi.
In a matter of only weeks, I now had my own place and my own office. I went to work energized and came home happy.
The only complaint I had, and it was probably me just being over-sensitive, was that Keir had started taking Clea to lunch. A lot. Or so it seemed. Three times in one week seemed like a lot to me.
The third time Keir took Clea to lunch, I wasn’t sure how to feel about it. Obviously, I didn’t own his time. Especially his breaktime. But Clea hated me and it was hard not to squirm wondering what they talked about.
It was a good thing I had my equations. They distracted me from thinking too much about all of it.
Work was fun for me. I would lose time and when the end of the day came it was like waking from a good dream.
But that day, when Keir came in late in the afternoon to update himself on my work, I didn’t feel like my usual self. Maybe I wasn’t well. I had no idea.
Keir sat down beside me in the extra chair by my desk. “You didn’t work through lunch, did you?”
A tickle of discomfort ran down my spine.
“No.” It was a partial lie. I’d gotten a sandwich from the cart downstairs and ate it at my desk while I continued to work trying not to think of Keir and Clea together.
“I would have preferred to stay in for lunch,” Keir said.
I blinked, trying to make sense of his statement. Why was he telling me? He could do whatever he wanted with his time.
“Clea needs extra attention lately.”
“Because of me?”
He frowned. “Why do you say that?”
I shrugged. My eyes warmed.
“You’re very astute,” he said softly. “She was the next up for promotion.”
Everything in my body tensed. This was bad for Keir. He shouldn’t have to deal with petty dramas. Maybe if I had done what she’d suggested and slowed down a bit, people in Control would like me better.
“She’s a valuable team member. I need her at prime working condition. I need all of them.”
“I know.” Inside my chest a strange coldness hardened. But my eyes were hot, almost itchy.
“I’m glad to hear that.” Abruptly, he added, “I did toy with firing her.”
I looked up at him with blurred vision, taking in a soft breath.
“You don’t have to say anything.” Had his voice gotten softer? “I know you never would. But I have ears and eyes.”
Did that mean he knew Clea hated me? I wished I could read people better.
“Wh—why would you fire her?” And why was he telling me? I was sure my wide-eyed look made me appear guilty.
“Because she was disrupting the team flow. If someone is disruptive, the entire team suffers. I’m pretty forgiving, though.” He ruffled some papers on my desk.
“I—I’m sorry.”
