Page 48 of Phishing for Love
“Definitely,” I agree. A right royal pain in the butt.
Looking distracted, Sofia makes a humming sound in her throat.
I remind her under my breath, “Remember, you’re angry with him.”
“Mmm, so angry,” Sofia agrees in a dreamy voice.
Aaron stops in front of us. “Kenzie. Sofia,” he greets them, a slow and charming smile taking over his face, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
Huh. He’s never smiled at me like that.
When we first met, his smile was more like a grimace, as if he’d just bitten into a lemon. Lately, though, whenever he looksat me, he has this small smile playing on his lips, as if that almost smile is supposed to mean something. It’s driving me crazy not knowing what it means.
“Hi, Aaron,” Kenzie says.
Aaron gives her his full attention. “Calvin showed me a few of your card designs. I never got a chance to tell you how much I admire them.”
“Thank you! That is so sweet of you to say,” Kenzie replies, slightly breathless. She performs some strange fluttering gesture with her hands. I stare at her in astonishment. She looks like a baby bird trying to get off the ground.
Sofia regards Aaron with a contemplative expression. “Looks like congratulations are in order.” Her voice drips with terseness. “You managed to dupe nearly the entire company with such a clever move.”
Aaron hitches a shoulder and offers her a warm chuckle. “Your reputation precedes you, Sofia. I knew I needed to come up with something clever to catch you out.”
Oh, come on, I think derisively. Sofia’s not going to fall for such blatant flattery. Like Aaron pointed out, she’s smarter than that.
But my jaw sags when I observe Sofia’s beautiful dark eyes go all soft and shiny.
I stare in disbelief at my two closest friends. I feel the shield wall crumbling. #TeamAaron is written all over their faces.
Sofia wags a spirited finger at Aaron. “I look forward to your next mock phishing challenge.”
“Don’t make it too difficult,” Kenzie adds coyly.
In a low, deep voice, Aaron remarks, “It’s my job to keep you on your toes.”
Kenzie’s breath rushes out of her, and she gets this look on her face where I imagine she’s picturing herself on her toes with Aaron behind her, his hands gripping her hips and...
The irrational punch of jealousy hits me hard.
“Aaron,” I say in a sharper tone than I intended, desperate to eject that image from my unruly mind.
He turns to look at me and we both frown at the same time.
“What a coincidence seeing you here in this out-of-the-way spot,” I say.
“A remarkable coincidence,” he agrees.
I cross my arms resentfully. What is he doing here? I mean,theoretically, the vending machine is for everyone in the company to use. The reality, however, is that it’sourvending machine. The amount we spend here could keep a small country afloat.
“I’m in the mood for something sweet,” he says.
I tilt my head in the direction of the machine. “Knock yourself out.”
He gives me that infuriating almost smile. “I’ll have one of those chocolate bars.” He fishes out his card from his wallet and holds it up between two fingers. “Here you go.”
I take a moment to collect myself. “Something wrong with your arms?”
“Nope.”
