He sprawled back, coffee in hand but no presentation packet in sight. With a heavy thud, he dropped the cup on my desk, splashing dark liquid across the lacquered surface. I looked pointedly at the coasters—only inches away.
Nathan huffed, snatched one up with exaggerated disdain. “You’re as bad as my ex-wife,” he muttered, shoving it under the cup without bothering to wipe the spill.
My teeth clenched, but my tone stayed even. “What did you want to discuss?”
“I wanted to touch base on a couple things.” He flashed that calculating look, coffee-stained teeth on full display. “Fort Worth’s still in limbo. Dallas bids are bleeding slow. If we’re running full tilt, we can’t afford dead weight.”
He coughed on the last word, flecks of spit dotting the papers I’d been reviewing.
“We’re resolving it.” I tore a corner from one of the reports on my desk, balling the scrap between my fingers. “Procurement flagged the spike and paused the contracts. Updated pricing came in this morning. We push three weeks and recover the margin—or sign now and bleed.”
Nathan scoffed. “You always did love a delay.”
“Three weeks won’t tank Q4.”
“Maybe not.” He stretched lazily, feigning boredom while his eyes gleamed with malice. “But with everything else going on, maybe don’t tempt the gods.”
A low “Mm” slipped out as I rolled the paper ball between my fingers, focusing on its rough edges instead of Nathan’s punchable face. The urge to throw it—or him—was strong.
Then the pivot I’d been dreading.
Nathan cleared his throat. “So. Elion.”
I looked up. His grin was pure provocation.
“I went ahead and scheduled a joint check-in for next Wednesday,” he said. “Since the girl seems eager to move fast.”
The girl.
Something hot and dark ignited low in my gut. I crushed the paper between my fingers. “Ms.Sinclair.” Each syllable razor-edged.
He rolled his eyes; the ceiling groaned with him.
“She’s the founder and CEO of the company we’re partnering with. If you want this deal to survive, you’ll refer to her accordingly.”
“Fine. Ms.Sinclair.” The words slipped out like a sulking teenager told to pick up his mess.
“Now, as for next Wednesday—” My voice iced over, fury pulsing beneath the calm. “You scheduled a meeting without my approval or my knowledge?”
He shrugged. “You said she wanted to move fast. Figured I’d grease the wheels.”
Rage coiled in my gut. She must have seen the invite—that’s why she hadn’t answered.
I leaned forward, elbows on wood. “Next time you schedule anything under my name, clear it with me first.”
“Relax.” He waved a hand. “It’s just a status touchpoint. Unless she’s too fragile to handle a calendar invite, I don’t see the issue.”
Fragile.
My jaw locked. “Fragile? She handled your bullshit on that call with more composure than half the men you worship in this company. That wasn’t fragility—it was restraint. Something you wouldn’t recognize if it hit you in the face.”
Nathan chuckled, self-satisfied. “Fine. Fine.”
He heaved himself out of the chair; buttons strained as he shuffled for the door. Didn’t even close it behind him. His coffeesat abandoned on my desk, brown ring already staining the coaster.
I hurled the crushed paper ball after him.
It didn’t make the doorway.
