He thumbed in my direction. “See? It’s always like this with her.”
And finally, the H.R. woman managed a soft smile. “All right, on to the next report, then. I’ve got five separate reports from worried co-workers about how many times Mr. Ryker storms into your office, Miss Loren. I’ve even got a couple of reports that say he yells at you so loudly that others on the floor below you can hear.”
My cheeks blushed. “That’s partially my fault as well.”
“And why do you feel that is?”
I looked over at JoJo. “We might as well tell her.”
He peered over at me with a cautioned look. “If you feel it’s pertinent, go ahead. But you certainly don’t have to indulge anything about your private life.”
He bit the last two words, but he didn’t know what I had up my sleeve. I had this completely under control, and I knew how to get us out of there.
He just had to follow my lead.
“Miss…?”
The H.R. woman leaned back. “Margaret.”
I nodded. “Miss Margaret, Mr. Ryker and I know one another from our childhood. We went to high school together. Grew up in the same neighborhood. So, there’s a lot about our working relationship that bases itself off a friendship we had growing up.”
Her eyes widened. “Really?! Oh, I’d love to hear stories sometime about what he was like when he was younger.”
JoJo chuckled. “Trust me, there’s not always becoming of the man I am now.”
I leaned forward and playfully whispered. “That’s code for he was an angsty romantic at one time in his life.”
Miss Margaret clapped her hands as she laughed. “Oh, that’s rich. I could never see Mr. Ryker like that now.”
His back stiffened. “But we can definitely work on being more work appropriate when it comes to communicating with one another. After all, neither of us are high school teenagers anymore.”
I folded my hands in my lap. “Is there anything else we need to discuss before we head out?”
I saw JoJo’s grin out of the corner of my eye, and I knew he was proud. I knew I was doing well, and I couldn’t wait for his praise once we got back to my office. On the one hand, I guess I could’ve riled him up by disagreeing with him at every turn. Maybe his punishments might lead to another heated encounter that my body craved more than food itself. But I stood my ground, explaining away any and all accusations with the fact that we knew one another prior to me interviewing to work with the company.
And Miss Margaret seemed satisfied.
“Well, thank you both for coming down. I’ll document your answers and file everything away.”
I shook her hand. “Thank you for giving us a chance to explain things. I know it must look weird to others around us, but it’s pretty much par for the course when it comes to us.”
JoJo smiled as he shook her hand, too. “Thank you for staying vigilant.”
Miss Margaret beamed with pride. “I take this job very seriously.”
He nodded. “And your vigilance doesn’t go unnoticed. You have my word on that.”
I looked up at him and watched him turn on the charm. His eyes sparkled with his smile, and it caused Miss Margaret to blush. I wanted to slap him, though. That charm was only for me. That smile was only for my eyes to behold. I didn’t like the fact that he could easily charm other women.
Especially when I was around.
“Well, if you don’t mind, I do need to get back to work,” I said.
Miss Margaret nodded. “Of course, yes. But, Mr. Ryker?”
JoJo’s eyes lingered on me. “Yes?”
“Could you stay behind for a few more minutes. I have another matter to discuss with you.”
