She stared into his face for what seemed like eternity, her expression unreadable.
“Okay,” she finally replied softly. “We can try. But you’ll still receive a punishment for earlier.”
He smiled.
Others might have said that last sentence wasn’t a good start to a truce, but he knew better. Hazel was making it easy for him to move on and forget about it. She knew how damn difficult it was for him.
“Okay, think of something. I’ll be the judge if it’s appropriate.”
“Oh, I won’t judge you too harshly.” Hesitantly, she returned his smile. “Quick question: Can you juggle? And would it be too much to ask you to dress up as a clown and perform at Moreau's daughter's birthday party?”
“Shit. I think I need a lawyer.”
She laughed — seemingly just as surprised by it as he was. “Is it the costume that bothers you, or is it all the kids?”
“Yes.”
“Damn. That's limiting my creativity a bit.” Sighing, she walked past him toward conference room C. “You need to broaden your horizons, Gareth.”
“And since we’re exchanging universal truths, your mouth is too big.”
“Big beats small,” she stated, pushing open the conference room door, behind which Penny and Fox were waiting.
“Hey,” Fox greeted her, waving his contract. “Why don’t I get any more gummy bears for goals?”
“Because Gareth isn’t going to indulge you,” Hazel replied dramatically.
Fox looked at him, shaking his head. “Not cool, boss. What if we change it to Snickers?”
Gareth sighed. “Discuss it with Penny,” he muttered. “I need to make a quick phone call.”
He remembered telling Lacey he’d call her after lunch.
“Okay,” Hazel said, giving him a hesitant glance over her shoulder before closing the door.
Gareth dialed Lacey’s number. She answered on the third ring.
He asked her how she was and if she was upset about having to cover tonight. She said everything was great, apologized several times for standing him up, and immediately offered three new dates. He could only make one, but that made the choice easier.
Uncomplicated. Everything was uncomplicated with her.
And yet…he wondered…
“Lacey, I have to go, but can I ask you something?”
“Sure,” she said warmly. “What is it?”
“Do you think I’m too cold and rigorous?”
Stunned silence followed his question before her words tumbled out of her mouth a little too quickly. “What? No. You’re…ambitious. You pursue your goals. You may be more of a loner, but not rigorous or cold.”
He nodded slowly. “Thanks,” he murmured. “Break a leg tonight.”
After they said goodbye and hung up, Gareth stood in the hallway, staring at his phone.
She lied.Ambitious.
She liked him. She didn’t want to hurt him. She wanted it uncomplicated. No drama, no arguments. Just like he wanted it. She would never tell him what he didn’t want to hear. And for the first time, he thought that might be a bad thing.
