Page 16 of Designed for Disaster

A couple more people joined us.

“Ah, here are Erik and Shay, your other CAD designers,” Carin said.

“Sorry,” Erik apologized, giving me a little wave. “We were just finishing up a call.”

“And last but not least,” Carin said. “This is Javi Garcia. He’s in charge of displays.”

“Merchandising and showrooms, mostly,” Javi cut in.

“Do we have displays in the US design centers?” I asked.

Javi nodded. “Pacific Design Center and Laguna Nigel in California, and then in the Design Center of the Americas in Miami. Internationally, we’ve got Hong Kong, Thailand, and Singapore in Asia, and Dubai and Jeddah in the Middle East.”

“What about Europe?” I asked.

His eyebrows drew together, his gaze skittering to Talia for a beat. “We have less of a presence there,” he said. “Since American design is obviously less popular in Europe.”

Obviously, I thought.Stupid question. Javi shot Talia another look. One that probably saidThis is who we have to answer to now?It was these damn nerves ricocheting around my chest. I needed to stop making comments before I made an even bigger fool of myself.

Despite Carin’s presence, the warmth in the room had been extinguished the moment she’d started introducing me to the team. Sure, they’d all smiled and nodded during the introductions, but I could tell by the way some of them now looked at me that they were suspicious—I wouldn’t exactly call it hostile, but there was an imaginary line being drawn between us.I was an interloper, and they wanted to know what the hell I was doing here.

Umm…your boss is a total grumpy asshole, got me fired, then offered me a job.I didn’t think bringing that up was going to instill any kind of confidence in them. And I supposed I could understand. I hadn’t worked for a company as prestigious as Saunders Furniture before, no one here was familiar with my work, and now I was suddenly the one in charge?

If roles were reversed, I’d probably give me the stink eye too.

But none of that made me feel any better. As far as first impressions went, I was clearly making an abysmal one. I glanced back at the door, plotting to escape and pretend I’d never crossed paths with Trent Saunders. If I just slipped through it now, I’d never have to see any of these people again.

Unfortunately, Trent chose that exact moment to walk in. “Sorry I’m late,” he announced, looking like he’d just stepped off a photoshoot. His fitted suit hugged him like a glove. “There was an accident on the expressway,” he said, irritation clear in his voice, “and traffic was backed up.”

His eyes found mine across the room. My breath caught in my throat. He was the definition of alluring, that dark gaze promising a delicious kind of danger that was hard to look away from. Why did he have to be this damn attractive? Why didIhave to be attracted to him? He was a walking reminder that I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had sex, and I hated that for myself.

“No worries,” Carin said, cutting through the tension coiled around me. I sucked in a breath, my lungs expanding reassuringly. “I was just introducing Natasha to the team.”

“Excellent,” Trent said. “We’re all here?”

“All here,” Talia replied. “Including our new management.” She gave me a thin smile.

“Great. Grab your coffee or tea or whatever you need, and we’ll get started.”

The group disbanded, darting to their offices for drinks.

I spotted a small coffee station off to the side of the room and walked over to make myself a cup. I didn’t need any more caffeine, but at least it would give me something to do with my hands.

A shadow fell over me, and I looked up to find Trent standing next to me. He poured himself a cup of coffee. “You know, when I hired you, it was so you could leave your barista days behind.”

“Guess I just want to keep my skills sharp in case you get me fired from another job,” I said.

“I have a little more sway at this one.”

“Once a Coffeezilla, always a Coffeezilla,” I said.

“Coffeezilla?” He scowled at the name. “Absolutely not. That has to go.”

I hummed, shaking my head. “That’s the thing about nicknames. They tend to stick around.” I could tell he wasn’t impressed by the way his hand clenched around his paper cup. What a grouch.

“You know, I’m pretty sure it was the Hellcat inside you that got you fired,” he shot back. “I’d recommend trying to keep a lid on her.”

He handed me the lid for my cup. I glared at him.

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