He leans back in his chair, crosses one leg over the other, casual as ever.“You’re seeing someone.”
His statement blindsides me.“I’m not—” And now I’m mad at myself.I didn’t mean to answer so fast.To tell the truth.I should have made up a pretend boyfriend.Maybe that would have kept Zach at bay, because the way he’s looking at me right now, tells me he’s interested in me for more reasons than just the past.
“Then, have dinner with me.I take it Cecil never said anything about the laptop.”
I see what he did there.He reminded me of why I should go.I grind down on my teeth, hating that he’s added a layer of complication to my life that I don’t need.
“He never noticed.And, thank you, again,” I try not to sound as sarcastic as I feel.“And please, thank your brother.”
“We already did, that night.”
I nod, clenching my jaw, knowing that he’s waiting for my answer.He’s not going to give up.If I decline his invite, he’ll hound me again, and as much as I hate the Knights having control over other people’s lives, this is one instance where it makes sense for me to give in.
“One dinner,” I say, quietly.“Just the one.”
“One dinner then—”
The door swings open and Katherine appears.
“Am I interrupting something?”The false smile on her face tells me that I’m in big trouble.
“Not at all.”Zach sits back, looking more relaxed than should be legal.I, on the other hand, feel like my heart is about to punch its way out of my chest, beating too hard for this pin-drop silence.
I knew Zach Knight would be nothing but trouble for me.
“I ...I was just leaving,” I say, starting to get up.
“We haven’t finished.”Zach’s smooth tone makes me irate.My job is on the line here, not his.He could get away with murder and he’d still be fine.
“Of course.”Katherine offers him another sugary sweet smile before closing the door and leaving.My body sinks into my chair, palpitations still so loud, I wonder if he can hear them.
“She’s a dragon.”
“She’s my boss,” I snap, “and she’s going to make my life hell.”
“Does she always?”Concern fills his eyes.
“I told you I needed to get back to my desk.”I don’t want to make a scene, but a part of me wants to scream at him.He’s managed to do the thing I’d been avoiding.Having Katherine find us in here alone.
“We’re done,” he says, cheerily, while I silently seethe.“Let’s swap numbers, so I can give you the details about dinner.”
I open my mouth to protest, then give in completely.Katherine wants my head on a platter, so I need to quietly get back to my desk, and fast.I tear off a piece of paper and scribble my number on it.
Chapter 7
MAYA
I return to my desk to find a furious looking Katherine glaring at me from her desk.
She crooks her finger at me, beckoning me.I walk into her office.
“You’re back early,” I say, trying to adopt a breezy tone.
“Sit,” she snaps.“You’re having meetings behind my back with Zach Knight?”
“It’s not like that.He was already in there with Cecil and the others when I arrived.”
“He was?”
