Page 77 of Matteo

I frown. “Now?”

He shrugs. “Apparently it's been happening on and off all day. He wanted me to check it before tomorrow morning.”

“Right.”

Joel nods toward the server room. “I'll stay out of your way.”

“Go ahead.” I move out of the way so he can pass the narrow space between us. He glances at Elizabeth as he passes. Her face is bright red and she turns to leave, but I grab her wrist.

“Stay,” I whisper. I can’t see Joel being too long in here, but she looks nervous.

She shakes her head. “I have to pretend I’m actually working.”

I bite back a smile. “Good point.”

She pulls her laptop closer and clicks through a few screens, though I doubt she’s reading a single word.

A few moments pass then we hear Joel's footsteps. He’s taken the other way out, past the racks of servers.

“All set. G'nite guys,” he calls. I hear the door slam shut.

“He’s gone.” I release a breath.

Elizabeth makes a face. “He saw us.”

“I know. My fault. We have to be careful.” I have to be careful not to put her in these situations. It’s clear we both have feelings for each other, but there’s a power imbalance in play, and I won’t risk Elizabeth’s reputation. Perception matters in the workplace, especially somewhere like this. I’m starting to see why she’s concerned about being judged differently as the only woman here.

“Will he say something?” she asks.

“To whom?”

“I don't know. To your father.”

“What does he have to do with this?”

“He’s the one who hired me.”

“You report to me.”

“But if he finds out that you and I ...” Her voice trails off.

“You and I what, Elizabeth?”

“We’re … we’re…” She’s clearly flailing. “It hasn’t been easy for me, finding work, and being here has been the best thing to happen to me for a while. I don't want to mess this up.”

“We’ll be careful,” I promise her. “No contact at work.”

“I don’t want to mess anything up.”

I’m not sure I understand her. “How will you mess anything up?”

“I ... I’d like a glowing reference from here when I leave.”

“I’ll give you a glowing reference. You don’t need to worry about that.”

“But if your father finds out—”

“Don’t worry about him. Joel won’t say anything, unless he really has the hots for you and he’s pissed off about seeing us together. In which case, I’ll have to have some words with him.”