Kendra says, “That’s a good idea. Thank you, Brandon.” She stands and collects her things. “I must catch Rick before he leaves for the day. Enjoy the weekend.”
Brandon meets my murderous expression with a slow, satisfied smile.
Injustice ignites in my veins. I blow out a long, thin breath, and I’m partly shocked it doesn’t unfurl into smoke.
“Having two of you go is smart,” Blythe says, flashing me her charming front-tooth gap as she stands to leave. “The guy’ll be more likely to speak to at least one of ya.” She squeezes my shoulder before following Kendra out.
Amantha must sense my tectonic plates shifting, because shequickly approaches me. Her expression is an apology by itself, but my irritation spills out anyway.
“You can’t be serious,” I say.
“I am. Kate, it really is the best chance of us getting Tom’s signature. I’ll make it up to you for having to go with him, I swear.”
“You know I can hear you guys, right?” Brandon knits his fingers behind his head, leaning back in his chair with a grin. “I’m right here.”
“Shut it, Brandon,” I snap. “We know you can hear us, and we still don’t care.”
“Icare,” Amantha interrupts. “Sorry I said that, Brandon. I just know Kate is… hesitant.”
I bite back a growl.
Val gently takes Amantha’s elbow. “Let’s let these two work this out on their own,” Val says. “For what it’s worth, I agree two going is better than one.”
“Whose side are you on, Russo?!” I say.
“The museum’s.” Val’s dark brown eyes are playful, though his words drive the reminder home. If the museum fails, I’ll never hear the end of it from my parents.
An unemployed daughter who could have been a lawyer would only throw gasoline on their hate-fire—dancing pitchforks included.
But I also refuse to go on a road trip with Brandon unless I can tie him to the roof of the car.
Amantha and Val say their goodbyes before they rush to make it in time for Anthony’s basketball game. I had been debating on going too, since I haven’t had a legendary chat with Susan in a while, but now I’ll definitely have to miss it.
The boardroom falls silent as Brandon and I stare each other down. Only the curation team’s fading voices remind me of the fact that they are eagerly going home to their loved ones. Another crest of irritation raises my hackles.
“You’re not coming. This isn’t a two person job.”
“I most definitely am,love.You heard the rest of the team. It’s five against one.”
I rise, gripping the table as I lean over it. “You’re insufferable.”
“Whew. What a relief.” Brandon’s dimples hollow his cheeks as he stands to match me. “Glad we haven’t entered some parallel universein which you can actually stand me. Wouldn’t know what to do without your claws in my back, Katie Cat.”
I tip my head back with a frustrated shake. “Why won’t you just drop this already?! I’m more than capable of handling this. YouknowI don’t need you.”
Brandon’s smile slips. “I’m aware. But if you’d stop whining for even a millisecond, maybe you’d realize this is about more than you”—his jaw works while he searches for the right word—“flouncing around like you own everything.”
“Flouncing?” I say incredulously. “Flouncing?!”
“Yes.” Brandon doubles down with a hard look. “Flouncing.”
I’m rounding the table before I know it.
“I don’tflounce, you idiot. I’ve never flounced a day in my life!”
“Yet, here you are,flouncing.”
I’m seething, glaring, and very much wishing for a pair of boxing gloves so I could hit him right now.
