“Thanks.”
Caitlyn had met Tara briefly a few years ago. According to Todd Brennan—one of Kurt’s guys—she was Steele’s receptionist,business manager, supply ninja, and team mom, rolled into one. And she somehow did it all while looking as if she’d just stepped out of the pages of one of the fashion magazines Caitlyn’s mom still read from cover to cover.
Tara was too short to be a model—maybe five feet out of those towering heels she wore—but she was petite, polished, and beautiful, with long, glossy black hair, wearing atailored blue dress that was both professional and sexy.
Next to her, Caitlyn probably looked freakishly tall and drab in her V-neck and jeans with running shoes, hair pulled off her face. But, as a pilot, comfort—especially given the Caribbean’s humidity—and deflecting unwanted interest were her top fashion priorities. Besides, even if she made an effort, she couldn’t compete with a woman likeTara. Caitlyn had inherited none of her mom’s sense of style.
Which was fine. She’d rather not waste the energy.
“Can I get you anything to drink?” Tara asked, after she’d spoken to Kurt over the intercom.
Caitlyn declined and sat on the long, brown sofa, laying her parka over the armrest. Magazines were artfully scattered across a low, glass coffee table:Foreign Affairs,Guns & Ammo,Men’sHealth. Tara returned to her work and the office was silent, save for the heat blowing through the overhead vent and the tapping of a keyboard.
Five minutes later, as Caitlyn thumbed through an old issue ofThe Economist, Kurt emerged from the hallway behind a tall, thin black man who towered over Kurt’s six feet. The man buttoned his suit coat and slung a leather messenger bag across his chest.
“Thanks for walking me through everything, Gordon,” Kurt said.
“No problem. I should have the paperwork ready for your signature early next week.”
“Perfect. Enjoy your weekend.”
“You too.” The man waved to Tara and left the office.
Kurt stopped at Tara’s desk. “You don’t have to stay. I can close up.”
“I know,” she said, with a quick smile. “But I want to finish double-checking the numbersbefore I release everyone’s payments on Monday morning.” She glanced at Caitlyn and pitched her voice too low to hear from across the room.
He shook his head. “No. Nothing like that. I just thought you might want an early start on the weekend.”
“I don’t think Netflix will mind if I’m running a little late. Might as well get this done so I’m not stressing over it.”
Netflix? In her interactionswith the people at Steele, Tara had struck Caitlyn as a social creature. One who would always have a date or a night out with friends on her calendar. But what did she know? Maybe Tara was one of those super-friendly introverts who retreated to her home at the end of the day to recharge in solitude.
NowthatCaitlyn could understand.
“I appreciate it,” Kurt said. “But remember, there are nobonus points for being a workaholic around here.”
“Thanks, Pot.”
He chuckled. “Sure thing, Kettle.”
Aww, weren’t they flippin’ adorable? Caitlyn feigned interest in the magazine on her lap. Could she be disrupting a fledgling relationship with her request? Kurt and Tara would be beautiful together, but the thought left a sour taste in her mouth. Which was stupid. She had no right to be jealous,especially since she had no desire to get romantically entangled with a man she couldn’t walk away from, no matter how sexy.
A long-term man was not part of her long-term plan.
Kurt turned to her, his smile fading. “Ready?”
Never. “Sure.” She grabbed her coat and followed him to his office. Through the east-facing window, the low sun washed the Capitol in gold, setting the colorful trees aflame.“Your view is incredible.”
He gazed out over the Potomac. “I like it, though I’m sure it’s nothing compared to the view from your office.”
The view from her cockpitwastough to beat. “A little variety is good.” She hung her jacket on a rack near the door and slid into the same seat she’d taken earlier.
Kurt settled across the desk from her and rearranged a stack of papers. “So…”
Might aswell get to it. She let out a deep breath. “I’m sorry I didn’t ask permission, or at least warn you that I’d used your name. I honestly never expected it to matter, but I figured if Lambert did follow up, you’d be both legit and intimidating.” She caught herself wringing her hands and clasped them together in her lap.Be strong. “As much as I love Terrell, even if he was single, Glenn would neverbelieve I was dating a guy who owns a comic book store in Maine.”
Kurt studied her, his expression unreadable, not leaving even the tiniest crack in his mask from which to gauge his thoughts.
