“Thank you. That’s it from me.” Lincoln’s deep, serious voice grabbed my attention. He bowed his head and gestured to the slide on-screen, which read:You’ve got questions? I’ve got answers. Ask away, but do remember my warning.
He was so incredibly impressive, I clapped my hands together. Thankfully, at the very last second, I managed to stop myself from giving him a standing ovation. Another woman near the front joined in, and soon the entire hall filled with the cacophony of applause.
This was my chance to make a swift escape. I hopped up, and before I could spin around, his brown gaze met mine.
And he smiled again.
That smile.
Even if I wanted to leave, I couldn’t. Even if every logical cell in my body told me to, I was frozen, clinging to every second of attention he gave me.
A group of engineers flocked around him, and I hung back, waiting my turn. I glanced over my shoulder to where the dark-haired man had sat. If it was@wheretheresawilliam, he was gone now.
When Matthew approached Mr. Carden, I stepped closer, giving in to my petty feelings and mimicking the smugness he’d shown me earlier.
“That was amazing,” I said.
“Thank you and thank you for the uncomfortable applause. They don’t usually clap at the end of presentations.” His smile was now on show for me and everyone around here to see. They had no idea how lucky they were or how hard I’d worked for it.
“They should,” I said.
“I do wonder how my intern could be in LA and simultaneously finish all the work I left behind for her.”
“Mr. Anders said I could come.” I grinned. “Work can be done on weekends.”
Matthew opened his mouth, but Mr. Carden didn’t even seem to notice. With all the unnecessary aggression of a mediocre white man, he pushed past me, and I stumbled forward, bumping into Mr. Carden.
He caught me, his hot hands sending a shiver up my spine. My legs nearly gave in. “Sorry,” I said with a nervous giggle, and took a step backward. “Actually, I’m not sorry. Now we’re even since you bumped into me last time.”
“It’s not fair. I didn’t leave lipstick on your shirt,” he replied, and his gaze dipped to my mouth before traveling lower to where my breast pocket might be.
My heart was beating so hard that I wondered if he could see it. “I don’t understand,” I said, and glanced away. This time it was me who couldn’t hold eye contact. “You seem different here.”
He looked down at the floor. “I like conferences. A merging of minds…” He shuffled on his feet more like the awkward boss I’d come to know. “Are you sticking around?”
I wanted to. Speaking to Mr. Carden outside of the office was exhilarating. I wanted more of it. I wondered what he did at home, what he wore, what movies he liked watching. I didn’t just want Mr. Carden.
I wanted Lincoln too. Because it wasn’t just a crush… it was something bigger. Something I was struggling to ignore.
Panic struck, slamming me back down to earth. “No,” I said, hating each word as it left my mouth. “I can’t stay. I have to go.”
Because if I didn’t, I’d throw the internship away for a chance with him. One night. One moment. One kiss.
But that would jeopardize everything I’d worked so hard for.
I’d promised myself. My mom. My gran.
Lily, don’t fall in love with your boss.
19
ELIZABETH
[74 weeks ago]
@pancakesareelite:
Do you flirt with all the girls you play games with?
