“Jax, what are you doing here?”
“I was hoping to catch a few minutes of your time before I leave.”
“Michael?”
His ears turn pink, and he visibly swallows.
“You were on the phone,” he says quietly, his eyes not meeting Kat’s.
She stares at him, a furrow appearing between her brows.
“I was on the phone with Gabriel, my brother, about a Christmas present. Next time, interrupt.”
She turns tail and walks back into her office, holding the door.
“Can you get Mr Lockwood and me some coffee, please? Americano for Mr Lockwood and I’ll have my usual.”
Michael jumps up, clearly not enjoying being reprimanded but also not wanting to piss off his boss.
“Aren’t you worried he’ll spit in your coffee?” I say after Kat closes the door, my eyes go to the coffee machine that takes up pride of place on her sideboard.
“I doubt he’ll be the first, or the last,” she sighs. “He knew the conversation with Gabe was not urgent, so he should have interrupted, especially knowing I’ve just come from a meeting with you. I’ll not have him acting as a filter to who is and isn’t important.”
“Isn’t that what a PA does?”
“You’re important, Gabe isn’t. If he can’t see that, then no.”
“Important, am I?” I say, grinning.
Kat rolls her eyes and motions for me to take a seat.
“Sorry I missed you at the end of the meeting. I thought it went well. Sadie seemed very impressed.”
I bite my tongue to stop myself smiling. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she sounded jealous, but that’s probably wishful thinking.
Kat continues. “I’ve already received a number of emails from board members wanting to push on, and for the plans to be drawn up and submitted to the local authority,” she says, taking a seat behind her desk.
Watching her in action steals my breath.
This is professional Kat. Her suit is fitted and immaculate, her glossy dark brown hair is tied up, not a wrinkle or stray wisp. The sprinkling of freckles on her nose is covered under a thin layer of perfectly applied makeup. She still holds the glow from our time in the sun, but that’s the only similarity to the woman who walked barefoot on the sand and laughed as she walked through the market.
She’s back to being perfect Kat. It makes me want to take her in my arms and ruffle her feathers, just a little, or maybe a lot.
She runs on, giving me more and more information. Details on construction, potential amenities.
“Kat, stop,” I say eventually.
She pauses and looks up.
I’m surprised she listened.
“Kat I?—”
Before I can say anything more, there’s a knock at the door, and Michael enters carrying our drinks.
He places them down on the desk, his face a mask.
“Thank you,” Kat says. “Can you chase up on those calls you made earlier? Make sure everything is in hand.”
