Page 53 of Until Then

I like Reese’ssounded a hell of a lot likeI like you.

15

IZZY

“You don’t haveany social media.”

Derrick continues to browse his computer, steadfastly ignoring me.

“Did you hear me?”

He angles to one side and focuses on me, brow quirked. “It was a statement, not a question. I didn’t think it required a response.”

I spin in my office chair so I’m facing him fully. “You should have an Instagram profile for your business, at minimum. A place to showcase your work.”

He blinks slowly. “So you keep telling me.”

“No social media. No website. No sign out front. How do you get any work?”

He arches a dark brow, scratching at his jaw. He trimmed his beard this morning, so it’s closer tostubble than I’ve ever seen it. “I told you, word of mouth. I don’t need any of that other fancy shit.”

I feel like slamming my head into my desk. “Regardless, you should have a place to showcase your work. No offense, but I wouldn’t hire you if I couldn’t see examples.”

He taps his fingers against his mouth. “I have pictures on my phone.”

Groaning, I hold my hands out and give them a shake, like I want to choke him. “Ugh! You are such a… such a…”

He flashes a smile. “Such a what? Finish that thought, please.”

His expression saysI dare you, and I hate that my brain takes that and runs with it.

What would he do if I said it? Would he put me over his knee and spank me?

Unlikely, but a girl can dream.

“Aman,”I say, like the single syllable is a dirty word. “Please, for the sake of my sanity, let me work on a website and an Instagram page for you.”

“No.”

I’m not above begging, so I clasp my hands and stick out my bottom lip. “Please? I’ll handle it all myself. You won’t have to do a thing.”

He picks up a pencil and taps the eraser side against his desk. “Aren’t websites expensive?”

I shrug easily. “They can be, but I know people.”

The people beingme.

Frowning, he drops the pencil to his desk. “I don’t want you to owe anyone any favors on my behalf.”

I wouldn’t mind if he owedmea favor. I can think of some creative ways he could pay me back.

“It’s not a big deal, I promise. Please, say yes.”

With a heavy sigh, he looks away. It only takes a few heartbeats before he focuses on me again, wearing a thoughtful frown. “Will it be easy for Jessica to handle once she’s back?”

“Absolutely.”

He rubs his lips together and closes his eyes for a moment. “Fine.”

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