Mentally slapping myself, I remember that when it comes to this group, it doesn’t matter.
“What was that?” Zach asks sharply.
“I said, it’s like a museum—“
Frowning, he flails his arms, “Not that. I heard you, but your face just did something weird.”
“Oh, yes. Well, I was just contemplating etiquette.” At his baffled look, I rush to explain. “I
wasn’t sure I should be here. You are my boss, and this is your home. I’m sure it’s quite invasive
having me here. Actually, now that I’m thinking about it, I should just go. Yes, that’s exactly—.“
“Maya.” The low demand in his voice brings my head up to meet his searching gaze. “What
brought you here? It’s ok that you’re here. But did you have something you wanted to say?”
His tone is almost hopeful, like he wants something from me, and now I’m panicking again. Does
he want my resignation? An apology? What? I need to move, but without breaking everything in sight.
Maybe I can just shake out my hands a b —.
“Is that a Ming Vase?” I ask, pointing.
He glances at the vase on a sleek black pedestal in the corner and nods casually, like,of course,
it’s a Ming Vase. Is there any other kind?
“I can’t be here,” I mutter, staring at the vase in horror. I back up, banging against the door. Zach
rushes after me, doing that weird flailing thing with his arms again. “What is that? What’s wrong with
your arms?”
He freezes, inches from me, eyes tracking along my finger. He wets his lip, and my finger trembles
the slightest bit. I wrap my arm around my waist again and wait.
“I…um worked out with my brothers. We did a few too many classes, and my arms are sore. I
can’t lift them.”
I stare at him longer than I want to admit. “Why would you do that?”
His lip curls and he shakes his head. “I don’t honestly know. I started with one, then Becca pissed
me off, so I agreed to the second. Then the rest of it is a blur. I have no idea what happened. It was
stupid.”
“Stupid,” I echo, wondering how hard he had to work to have his muscles fail so completely. That
would have been an incredible sight to see…so much sweat and…. never mind. “Right. Well. I came
to say sorry for today. I lost my mind for a second. My lips were possessed by a hussy, but it won’t
happen again.”
