Page 44 of Phishing for Love
“Yup?”
“No more calling me—” He grimaces, like it pains him to say it. “—Hot Guy. Okay?”
“Got you, HG,” she says with a wink.
“Welcome to her world,” I say to him, trying not to grin when I glimpse the moment it dawns on him he’s fighting a losing battle when it comes to Mevia.
With a bemused head shake, Aaron brushes past me and heads in the direction of his office. He’s made no mention of our bet yesterday. Some of the tension in my chest eases. Maybe he’sforgotten? On a rising tide of hope, I retreat to my cubicle and quietly congratulate myself on escaping being his lackey for the day.
[MESSAGES]
Aaron:I need coffee.
Tess:How did you get my number?
Aaron:You seem to forget I’m a security specialist.
Aaron:A security specialist in need of coffee.
Tess:Do you need it right now?
Aaron:Yes, minion.
Tess:How do you take it?
Tess:Besides poured over your head.
Aaron:Just a little milk. No sugar. Extra hot.
Aaron:Speedily.
I walk into Aaron’s office holding his cup of coffee. He looks up from his laptop and I feel a fluttering in my stomach when I notice he’s wearing black-framed glasses. No one should look that cool wearing glasses. It’s not fair to the rest of us.
I set his coffee on his desk and glance at the stark trappings of his office. “I feel sad and depressed every time I step in here.”
Removing his glasses, he leans back in his chair. “You’re welcome to step right back out.”
“All this organization is frightening.”
“Only a messy mind would find it frightening.”
I perch my butt on the corner of his desk, which makes him frown, as I knew it would. “Some people would label youanal.”
“Some people would care. I don’t.”
“I think the problem here is your decor.”
He scowls. “What decor?”
I stab a triumphant finger in the air. “Exactly!”
He crosses his arms. “I don’t like color.”
Which, of course, now makes it my mission in life to drown him in color.
“I get a headache every time I step into your cubicle,” he points out. “We’re even.”
I allow my gaze to wander thoughtfully around his office. “A small potted plant, a framed picture, a knick knack or two would work wonders in here.”
