“Talon,” I reply with a nod. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too!” She glances at Zeke and quickly raises her eyebrows once before schooling her features and returning her gaze to me. “Welcome to Summit. You’re in good hands with Zeke, but we’ll have you get acquainted with everyone over the next couple of weeks. If you need anything, my office is right next door.”
I offer her a genuine smile.
“Thank you.”
She winks. “Keep smiling like that, and you’ll go home with tipsanda few phone numbers.”
I’m about to gently correct her, reminding her she can’t say things like that to employees, but I stop myself before I blow my cover. As soon as she’s out the door, Zeke turns to me.
“Sorry about Becs. She means well, but she has no filter, and she loves to meddle.” His eyes drift to my left handbefore coming back up to my face. “It’s probably best if you tell her you’re seeing someone, even if you aren’t, so she doesn’t latch on to the idea of playing matchmaker. Subtlety isn’t her strong suit, and she loves happily ever afters.”
“I’d hate to lie,” I admit, the irony choking me. And I blame the next statement on the altitude. “Besides, I’m not so sure a happily ever after is in my cards.”
Speaking of cards, I usually hold mine a little closer to my chest, but there’s a restless energy about Zeke that makes me want to reach out. Perhaps if I become vulnerable, he’ll feel comfortable enough to do so as well.
After all, wasn’t that the point of this whole exercise? Get to know my employees and assess their needs?
Chapter 4
Zeke
Talon’s smile falters with his last sentence, and I almost rest my hand on his forearm for comfort, or to convey that I know how he feels, but that would be crossing a line. No doubt anything more than a handshake would leave a burn mark on my skin, as hot as he is. Talon is like the sun, and evenlookingat him increases my internal temperature.
His dark features are striking and quite a contrast to his open, easygoing, bright personality. Talon seems eager to hand out a compliment and a smile, but there’s an air of sophistication to him he can’t quite hide. His age isn’t easy to guess, but if I had to, I’d say he’s out here living his best life before some corporate job or law school demands long hours and part of his soul.
When I shook his hand outside, the size and strength behind it had me recoiling fast. Not because it was unpleasant, but because itwasn’t.
For the first time in a long time, I want to dig deeper.Why doesn’t he think he has a chance at a happily ever after?But creating any connection with him is a terrible idea. I keep people at arm’s length because if no one gets close to me, they can’t take anything from me or ask anythingofme. Derek’s already taken everything I had to offer anyway.
Talon and I make it through the lunch rush and are in the dead space of the day by the time three o’clock rolls around. The wind has picked up, and the biting cold is barely kept at bay by the tower heater that Talon and I are huddled under.
This close to him, I can smell his cologne, and it’s short-circuiting my brain.
“Is that a playscript I see under the iPad?” he asks.
Feeling oddly shy, I pull the electronic device down farther to cover the pages.
“Um, yeah. No one minds if I study my lines when there aren’t any guests out here,” I say quickly.
I wish I could stop being so damn defensive around him, but it seems I’m always on edge these days. Afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing, like I do in front of Derek.
Talon holds both hands up in the air.
“Hey, man. It doesn’t bother me. I was just wondering what play you’re working on.”
The snort leaves my mouth before I can stop it.
“Youknow theater? No offense, but?—”
“Which clearly means you’re about to offend me,” he says with another confident smile.
Appropriately chastised, I nod. “I take it back.”
“You haven’t even said it,” he argues, the tilt of his mouth telling me he’s being playful.
“And now I won’t.”
