Page 45 of Matteo

His expression changes, just slightly, and I almost miss it. “Careful,” he cautions. “You’re starting to sound like you’ve already figured me out.”

“Trust me,” I say lightly, “if I had, I’d be charging you double.”

He laughs. “Double?”

“For therapy.” I hold my breath. Why can’t I just stop? Why must I keep on rambling on? Digging a deeper hole for myself. His mouth almost, almost, curves. I decide to have some fun, because I’m in, here at Knight Enterprises, and that’s one big, important check box ticked.

I deserve some fun. After all, I’m not a permanent fixture, and I’m only here to do the security audit as well as figure out and fix the security issues. I still don’t see Matteo as my boss. I never can. So, I should enjoy my time here.

We fall silent again but this time it’s different. Less awkward. The tension releases like a leaky balloon. He leans back slightly, studying me.

“How are you settling in?”

That’s an easy, not-so-personal question. “I like it here. The guys are nice.”

He nods, agreeing. “We have a good bunch of people in the tech lab.”

“They’re sweet.”

“I don’t know if sweet is the word I’d use to describe them.”

“Alex is nice. He’s been good to me, and Sonny is smart and observant. Joel is … well, Joel.”

He bites into his panini, chews it slowly. After a while, “He’s thrilled we finally have a woman working with us.”

“Are you used to it, yet?” I couldn’t help myself.

“I can work with anyone.”

“That’s not the impression I got, before I did my presentation.”

He pauses, then, “How's the security audit coming along?” He ignored my comment.

“It’s coming along.” I wonder if I should tell him what I’ve found. “Your father wants an update.”

His eyes widen. “Does he now?”

“It was supposed to be this afternoon, but he went home early. That’s what his assistant told me. So now I must email him some bullet points regarding where I’m at.”

“Anything I should be worried about?”

I hold his gaze, then decide that I need to do some more digging around before I present him with my findings. I say the same thing I said to Alex. “Nothing conclusive yet.”

***

MATTEO

The old man has gone home. I know that because he canceled on me, too. Given his health, it’s probably a good thing. I haven’t seen him lately, but Rio did and he said he looked bad.

I mull over what Elizabeth has just told me. Nothing conclusive yet. She says it with a finality. She might as well have told me to mind my own business.

I hadn't meant to come to this lunch, but for some reason I found it impossible to stay away. Alex asked me earlier, but I had a meeting with the old man. When that got canceled, I came here.

With Elizabeth sitting directly outside my office it's a miracle I've managed to be productive this week, because my gaze keeps drifting to her. My thoughts are filled with her.

I blame it on the way we met.

But there's something more.