Grant sat at his computer and typed in a name. I recognized the football player but pointed out that a different picture dated a week ago on his socials showed him engaged to another socialite.
“I doubt he’ll know where she is,” I said.
“Unless he’s up to something.”
“We can’t suspect everybody,” I thought out loud, “but I think Kirkman is a solid lead. Any chance you can get back into that HR computer?”
He stared at me, eyebrow arched. “You want me to risk my job?”
My eyes widened. “You already did that!”
“If I get fired, what will you do? You’d miss me too much.”
I pushed his chair. “I’ll survive.”
As everyone began to leave for the day, I’d somehow finished enough actual work to have greater confidence in my presentation the next day. An hour later, I decided it was late enough.
The floor was mostly empty as I walked out. There were only a couple of heads sticking out from the tops of their cubicles. The elevator's ding broke the welcoming silence as the doors slid open for me.
I froze on the spot as a pair of blue eyes greeted me. My feet were heavy, like anvils I was trying to lift off the ground.
Thankfully, my brain kick-started. I walked into the elevator and stood next to Colin Slade.
The air around me was electric. It was as if I were part of a circuit that included both of us in that elevator, and a charge was bouncing between us. I hazily wondered if it was because I was humiliated by how I’d conducted myself when we first met.
The trance I’d fallen into was broken when he spoke.
“Katelynn, right?” His voice was smooth, deliberate. “I look forward to tomorrow, Ms. Donovan.”
My mouth was clamped shut, and I had the same sensation as being at the top of a roller coaster looking down on an impossibly steep fall. The rapid beat of my heart filled my ears.
“Mmm-hmm. Me too,” I squeezed out.
Did I sound as unsure of myself as I felt standing next to this man, who was almost an entire head taller than me and wearing a suit that probably cost more than I made in a month? Not that I cared about that kind of thing, but I was very aware of the vast differences between us.
“I was going to bring this up tomorrow, but I might as well do it now rather than in front of ten other people,” he said, pausing at the end as if waiting for me to say something. Or maybe he was waiting for me to look at him, which I’d avoided doing so far.
I turned my head to the right, finally meeting his eyes. It was the first time I was really able to study his features up close—his sharp jawline, prominent cheekbones, and focused eyes framed by dark lashes.
“I’ve heard wonderful things about your department. Of Ms. Flame, of course, but of how instrumental you’ve been to her success and that of the agency,” he started. I was sure I was blushing, and I looked away, trying to stop my lips from growing into a grin. The elevator reached the bottom floor, and we walked out into the lobby.
“Kaitlin…my assistant—though I know you aretheKatelynn—” His emphasis on my name, paired with a raised eyebrow, drew an involuntary giggle from me as I sheepishly recalled how boldly I’d spoken to him the day before. What a stark contrast to how tongue-tied I felt now.
He continued, “She’s been unable to reach Ms. Flame, and I’d like to plan for contingencies for this weekend’s client meeting in Chicago. Would you be willing to step in? Of course, the agency pays for your flight, hotel, and transportation. You’d get a meal stipend plus dinner at one of the finest restaurants in the city.”
I took a deep breath in and held it. All my fears of speaking in front of this magnetic man were replaced with overwhelming anxiety at being responsible for closing a deal which Maggie had been working on for the last month.
He must have seen the panic on my face because he said, “I figure this is new for you, but from everything I’ve heard, it sounds like you’re very capable. How about we reconvene after the meeting tomorrow, to let you sleep on it?”
I finally released my long-held breath. “Yes,” I said, “I’ll give it all the consideration it deserves.”
“Great. And listen, I’m not new to reeling in new clients, but I’m new to working here, so we’d be going at this together as newbies, if that makes you feel better.”
I laughed. “I’m not sure it does. I’d rely heavily on your expertise at closing the sale.”
“No problem there,” he said, extending his hand. I was caught off guard for a second, but quickly met his hand withmine. The warmth of it reassured me that this was an actual flesh and blood person like me and not the Greek god he looked like.
“See you tomorrow,” he said, then nodded and walked toward the exit. A sleek black car was waiting for him right outside the lobby. He stepped inside and disappeared into the night.
