“I’m not that hungry.”
Armi glared. “Hayden, order yourself something, or I’m not eating.”
“Whoa, okay.” Hayden’s lips twitched. “Now that’s what I’d like to see more of at work.”
“What, me forcing you to eat?” He undid his tie and popped open his shirt buttons.
“No,” Hayden responded, completely serious. “You being assertive.” He sighed and ran a hand through his thick blond hair. “You can tell me to mind my own business and I’ll shut up, but you tend to apologize to everyone or let other people run the show for you. It’s your team, Armi. You’re the boss.”
“I-I know. And I’m trying. Russell’s been really helpful…what?” He paused at the flicker of annoyance on Hayden’s face. “Don’t you like Russell?”
“I have no reason not to like him. He’s been very nice to me.”
Like the professional he was, Hayden held off criticizing anyone, but Armi sensed he held back his true opinions.
“He’s a nice person—at least he’s always been nice to me.”
Hayden didn’t respond. “If you show me where your office is, I can print out copies of the questions.”
“Oh, shit. The printer’s broken, and I never bothered to fix it. I just use the one in the office.”
“It’s fine. No worries.”
Hayden’s smile reassured him, and he ran upstairs to put on a T-shirt and sweats.
The doorbell rang, and as he descended the stairs, he watched Hayden take the bags, and he again pretended they were a couple, eating their dinner after a day at the office.
“That was quick,” he said, and Hayden lifted the bags.
“Let me put these down. Where do you usually eat? Kitchen or dining room?”
He laughed. “I’ve never used the dining room. I usually grab something from the fridge and sit in the kitchen, or bring home takeout and eat in the living room in front of the television.”
“Life of a single guy. Let’s go to the kitchen, then.”
“Sure.”
Hayden followed him and set their meals on the big island. While he hadn’t thought he was hungry, Armi surprised himself by eating every bit of the pasta and fish. Hayden, he noticed, had ordered only a salad with grilled chicken and barely touched it, concentrating on his iPad.
“You don’t like it?” Armi asked when he’d finished.
“Huh? No, it’s fine. I’m just trying to see if I missed anything.” Hayden’s lips twitched. “You got some sauce on your shirt.” He pointed with his fork.
Of course he did. “I swear I can’t eat a meal without wearing some of it.” Anxiety hit him like a punch in the gut. “Shit. What if that happens tomorrow at my lunch? I’ll look like a fool. My father was always impeccable.” His stomach cramped. “I can’t do this. You’ll have to cancel.” He got to his feet, and breathing heavily, ran from the kitchen to the one place he found peace. The backyard.
He walked the perimeter, touching his roses, bending to smell them. Footsteps came from behind.
“Armi, you can’t think like that.”
He faced Hayden. “Why not? You’ve seen it. I’m a mess, hanging on by a thread. I don’t know why I thought I could do this. I’ve never spoken to a reporter in my life.” A thought seized him. “Please come with me tomorrow.”
Hayden’s brows flew up. “Me? I don’t belong there. I’m just your PA.”
“Exactly. You’ll be able to help me when I get stuck. Which I will.”
Hayden frowned. “The first thing you have to get rid of is the defeatist mindset. Be positive.”
“Okay.” He wiped at the spot but only succeeded in smearing it more. “I’m positive I’m going to screw it up somehow.”
