Kate’s face appeared in a second window, her warm smile a contrast to the shadows behind her.
“What did I miss?” Kate asked, adjusting her screen.
“Emma met Zach,” Lena blurted out.
Kate’s voice changed to something knowing. “Ah.”
“Don’t start,” Emma warned.
Kate settled into her chair, both hands wrapped around a mug of what was probably tea. “We’re interested in how you’re finding the company’s security chief. Wait. You met him way back when I first arrived, didn't you? When you were promoted.”
“Yes, I did, but only for that brief meeting. He’s rigid,” Emma continued flatly. “Overbearing. Convinced he’s always right.”
Lena laughed. “Has he done that thing where he appears out of nowhere and acts like he’s been standing there for ten minutes?”
“Yes!”
“And did it make you want to throw something at him?”
“I always want to throw something at him. He’s impossible.”
Kate smirked at her. “You’re intrigued.”
“I am not.” Emma’s cheeks warmed.
Kate’s smile turned gentle. “Emma, you spent three minutes describing your interaction with him. You don’t do that about people who don’t interest you.”
Lena smirked. “Not to mention the man is drop dead gorgeous. The muscles on him…”
Kate laughed. “You’re drooling, Lena.”
“Am not. I am quite happy with my hot geek. Doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the body on Zach.”
Emma opened her mouth, closed it. They weren’t wrong, which was precisely the problem. No one with a pulse would miss that body, those muscles…
“Besides,” she said, grasping for solid ground. “He’s an owner, which means he’s effectively my boss.”
Lena’s laugh erupted so suddenly she nearly spilled her wine. “Oh, my god.”
“What?”
“Emma, sweetheart.” Lena set down her glass, shoulders shaking. “You do realize I’m literally living with my boss, right? And I distinctly remember you encouraging me.”
“That’s different.”
“How?”
Emma struggled for an answer that wouldn't sound ridiculous. “You and David, that’s…” She trailed off, seeing the trap Lena laid for her.
“Exactly,” Lena crowed. “So the ‘he’s my boss’ excuse doesn’t work.”
“I’m not making excuses because there’s nothing to make excusesfor.” Emma hated the defensiveness in her voice. “I’m just stating facts.”
Kate had gone quiet, her gaze distant, listening to something the rest of them couldn’t hear.
“Kate? You okay?”
Kate’s focus returned slowly. “Actually… I’ve been having dreams again.”
