Everything for Her(21)

“Well, I got told I’d be working late, and so did Skyler. I’m sure when you get back to your desk, you’ll be asked, too.”

Well, that sucks. I guess I won’t be seeing Oz tonight.

“Thank for the heads-up.” I push my chair back, not wanting to hang out, and I’m not eating this salad. Maybe I can grab a bag of chips from the vending machine to hold me over if I’m going to be working late.

“You heading back already? You didn’t eat yet.” He points at my plate.

“Yeah. I’d rather get back to work and get these reports done. The sooner I get back to them, the sooner I can leave tonight, if we’re working late.”

“I was hoping to eat with you. Get to know you a little better.” His eyes travel over me, making me think he doesn’t mean getting to know me on a friendly coworker level.

“Sorry,” is all I can manage in reply, because what else can I say to that? I have no desire to get to know him better. I turn to leave, and I swear I can sense his eyes on me, but I refuse to turn around and see. Dumping my tray, I make my exit from the cafeteria and see Paige talking to a man next to the elevator. She has her hands on her hips, and I can tell by the look on her face that she’s agitated by whatever it is they’re talking about.

The man makes Paige look smaller than normal, even in her tall heels. Not that it takes much with her tiny size. He’s got almost a foot and a half on her. Not only that, but the man is built like a freaking linebacker. He’s wearing a button-up white shirt, but the sleeves are rolled up, revealing his muscled forearms and the tattoos that cover them. His black slacks are fitted to his thick thighs, which look to be about the size of Paige’s waist. Everything about the man is muscle. He’s got short blond hair and bright blue eyes. He kind of reminds me of Captain America, if he had tats.

He has a smirk on his face at whatever Paige is going off about, almost like he finds it adorable. I stand and stare, wondering what’s going to happen. The guy probably works in security with her, and after a second I realize he looks familiar. Then it hits me. It’s the same guy she was talking to at the club the other night. God, I hope she doesn’t get fired on the first day. She was so freaking excited about getting this job.

As if she knows I’m looking at her, her head turns my way and she’s surprised. She quickly schools her features into a polite smile. She turns and says something to the man, who shakes his head and hits the elevator button like she dismissed him or something. After that, she walks toward me and he watches her go.

“Everything okay?” I ask when she finally reaches me. She turns to watch the guy get into the elevator, his eyes locked on her as the doors close.

“My boss,” she mutters, like she’s annoyed.

“Isn’t that the guy from the club the other night?” With her photographic memory, no way would she miss that. But I could be wrong. It was dark and she was across the room talking to him that night.

“Ah, yeah.”

“Yikes. Did he hit on you that night? Because that would make things awkward for sure. Dating and working together can’t work. It would be a mess.” It’s definitely something I wouldn’t want to do. This job is too important to risk.

“Because I date?” she jokes, making me laugh. No, Paige doesn’t date. She flirts sometimes, but that’s about it.

“How was your breakfast?”

My face warms once again, and her eyebrows rise.

“That good, huh?”

I’ve really got to get this blushing thing under control.

“It was wonderful. I really like him, Paige. Like scary-like him, and this is happening so fast. It’s kind of freaking me out a little.”

“Wow, that much?” Her brows furrow a little in concern.

“Yeah. It’s too fast, isn’t it?”

“You can’t help your emotions, Mal. You’ll be fine. You’re a smart girl, and if something happens I’ll be here to help you pick up the pieces.” She reaches out, grabbing my hand. “I got you.”

It’s an odd way to put it, as if the heartbreak is impending. But I shake it off, thinking Paige always looks at things differently than I do.

“I know. I’m so lucky to have gotten to pair up with you.” I wonder how things would have turned out if I hadn’t had her by my side these last four years. Would I have made it through college? Yeah, but having Paige has made things so much easier. She’s the first person in my life I could ever rely on, and I felt like she was there to catch me. She’s my only real family.

“Don’t get all mushy on me.” She pulls me in for a hug. “Get back to work,” she says in my ear, making me laugh.