“Turkey and provolone.”
He turned it over in his hands, bemused. “You made me a sandwich?”
“Yes. I figured it would be rude to eat in front of you if I didn’t.”
“That brings up the question of why exactly you’re eating in my office at”—he checked the time on his watch—“eleven a.m.”
“If it’s the time you’re questioning, I’ve been up since four. I was so hungry I was close to gnawing off my own arm.”
“Okay…” He nodded. “Understandable. Why my office, though?”
“I wanted to hang out with you.”
He leaned back in his chair, the sandwich still in his hands. “That’s…okay. I, uh…have some calls I need to make. In fact, I’m late for one right now. I don’t think I’ll be the best company.”
I lifted a shoulder. “That’s fine. If you don’t mind me being here, I can be quiet.” I tucked my legs beneath me, getting comfortable. “You can do your work. I don’t mind.”
His mouth twitched, but he didn’t quite smile. “If that’s what you want…”
I nodded. “I want—but only if I’m not bothering you.”
He gave me a long look, the corners of his eyes pinching and relaxing. “Stay. You’re not bothering me at all.”
So I stayed.
Two days later, I found myself at loose ends a little after three. I didn’t feel like going home yet, so I stopped by the resort café for a coffee and treat and took them to Cormac’s office.
Melanie gave a little huff as I passed reception, but I barely noticed.
Cormac was reading something on his computer when I peeked inside his cracked door. Not wanting to disturb him, I silently slipped inside, placed the coffee I’d bought him on his desk, and took up my spot in the chair across from him.
He spent another minute or two reading before looking away from the computer screen, his gaze volleying between the iced coffee dripping condensation on his desk and me.
I smiled, holding up the paper bag in my lap. “Cookie or brownie?”
He cocked his head, a line carving deep between his brows. “Uh…hi?”
My grin widened. “Hey, Maccie. You choose: cookie or brownie? It’s not Phoebe’s baking, but the resort café is pretty good.”
He rocked back in his chair, sliding his fingers through his hair. “You brought me coffee?”
“And a cookie or brownie. If you don’t choose soon, though, I’m going to do it for you.”
He frowned, and I frowned back. His deepened. So did mine.
Then he cracked. A soft chuckle rolled into deep barks of laughter, pulling me right along with him. Snickers devolved into giggles. I couldn’t even have said why we were laughing, but it felt so incredibly good.
He wiped his eye with the heel of his hand. “Let’s split them. Half of each.”
“You’re such a great negotiator. They should send you to resolve every hostage crisis and trade disagreements between countries.”
“I don’t think I have enough talent not to cause an international incident. I just learned a lot from watching my mom handle four kids without breaking a sweat.”
I placed his half of the brownie and cookie on a napkin and slid them across his desk. “You’ve done her proud.”
He bit the corner of his brownie, looking me over. “Seems you making an appearance in my office is becoming a thing. Twice in one week, huh?”
I patted the rock-hard arm of my chair. “It’s comfortable in here.”
