This interaction is either goingreallywell orreallybadly. I can’t tell.
“Humble—that’s a trait I’ve yet to witness in this industry. Lots of men in this field view themselves as God, and I’m glad to know you’re not one of them.”
I laugh this time—one that’s warm and genuine because he’s spot-on. I’ve lost track of the number of men I went to school with who fully believed they’d colonize Mars and bask in wealth and glory. Emphasis on the last two things. Theynever cared about their worldly impact—only the personal outcome.
“Trash-talking your peers definitely wasn’t on my to-do list for tonight.” Staines chuckles as he takes a sip of his coffee. “But either way, I’ll let you get back to work while I enjoy the rest of this exhibit before the crowd rolls in. See you on the big stage.” Everett winks, lifting his cup in a toast before turning to flag down one of my engineers.
———
“No interns backstage!” Melanie’s voice booms as she points an accusatory finger in the kid’s direction.
He looks like a deer caught in headlights before he scrambles away in a panic.
“Did she really talk to Ethan Wallace that way?”
My eyes widen in shock as I do a double take, paying closer attention to the tall kid in the forest-green suit. A hand shoots up to massage my temple, but it does nothing to soothe the stress.
This isn’t what I needed today.
My no-job-title, temporary employee shouldnotbe yelling at the son of the man I once worked for. A man I highly respect, at that, and one I hope never catches wind of that interaction.
Adam shrugs, as if none of this concerns him. “Looking as handsome as ever, Brother.”
“Can’t say the same for you,” I retort.
A quiet silence settles between us, similar green eyes to mine searching my face before Adam yells, “Mom!”
A long-drawn-out sigh escapes my lips.
The woman hasn’t even arrived yet.
“Cut to the chase,” I say in exasperation.
“Melanie wanted me to let you know that everyone’s arrived and to find her ‘as soon as possible.’Her words, not mine.I don’t think you’re worth finding, but that’s my opinion.”
Hit after hit.
The sibling bickering never stops, does it?
I turn to find Melanie with her hands on her hips, eyes shooting daggers at Adam. “I told you this five minutes ago. You’re late.” She grimaces, handing me another cup of coffee without sparing me a glance.
I pop the lid open, needing it to cool faster, and the sight that meets me has a wide smile erupting on my face. Chestnut brown. Itake mine with milk and sugar.Flashbacks of earlier today come rushing in like a tidal wave.
Long brown hair.
Flushed cheeks.
Angry eyes.
Entertaining should not be the word I use after a near-freak accident, but it’s the only one I can think of.
Teasing her the way I did may have been a dick move, given the things she’d accused me of, but I couldn’t help myself. Not when she looked a tad bit more adorable as her anger kept rising.
“This is a hostile work environment. I’m reporting this to HR,” Adam quips in Melanie’s direction.
I must have missed a large chunk of whatever went down between them.
“I am HR.” Melanie glares at Adam.
