Page 26 of His White Moonlight
“Why are you avoiding me?”he asked, his gaze locking on mine.
“How exactly am I avoiding you?I ate breakfast with you and drove in the same car.And I’m standing here, aren't I?”
“You didn’t want to do any of this.”
“No kidding.But I don’t think you’re one to talk.You’ve avoided stuff you don’t want to do, too.”
“Like what?”
“You could have talked to some of the women there last night.Or the women here.”
He averted his gaze again, and I sighed.“You’re right.Not my business.I’ll work on being more tolerable at work to make this summer go faster if you’re willing to do the same.A little bit of patience and cooperation and then I’ll be out of your hair.”
I didn’t particularly like the way he straightened away from the door and took a step closer to me.
“What do you mean?”he asked.
“Physical intimidation stopped working on me three years ago.Save your effort.Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get back to work.You should do the same.The faster we finish, the sooner we can leave.”
I walked around him and opened the door.“Let me know if you need a Xanax laced coffee or something.”
When I sat at my desk, I didn’t check to see if he was still watching me.Whatever bug had climbed into his brain wasn’t my problem.I set to work and didn’t look up again until my phone buzzed with a reminder at ten to order lunch.
I was a little surprised that no one had tried bothering Bennett yet until I glanced up and saw him pacing in front of his desk.
Yeah, they’re smart not to interrupt whatever that is.
I placed an order with a nearby grill and got up to stretch my legs.On the way to the bathroom, Grandma spotted me through Mom’s office windows and waved.I waved back and continued to the bathroom, knowing very well that her wave hadn’t been a greeting but a summons.She was waiting in the hallway when I exited.
“How’s Bennett today?”
“In a mood, but you already knew that, or you wouldn’t have been at the house this morning.”
She grinned at me.
“He’s a prickly one, but he’s easy enough to manage once you know the secret.”
“What’s the secret?”
“Flattery.”
“Pfft.Been there.Tried that.It only makes him more annoyed.”
“Then you’re not doing it right.”
She hooked her arm around mine.“You’re really pretty today, Wrenly.That top makes your mischievous eyes sparkle.Your backside looks good in those jeans, too.It’d look even better in a skirt with some heels.”
I snorted.“I’m not sure if you’re flattering me or hitting on me, Grandma.”
She shrugged a little, but her grin said it didn’t matter which she meant.She’d proven her point because, even though I knew she was playing a game, I’d liked what she’d said.
While I was pondering that, she neatly navigated me back to my desk and walked right into Bennett’s office, ignoring his scowl and the fact she’d interrupted his pacing.She shut the door and closed the blinds.
Shaking my head, I went back to work until she reemerged almost twenty minutes later.
“I’ll see you later, my little Wren.Don’t forget what I said.”
“Yeah, yeah.”I watched her leave and wondered if I could get away with sneaking out with her.Probably not.
