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‘A little.’ She smiled through gritted teeth. ‘It’s probably time we let Bernie get back to it, I’m sure he has things he needs to attend to—’
‘Not at all,’ Bernie interjected. ‘It’s been a pleasure to have you here, Zane. Come back anytime.’
‘Thanks, Bernie.’ Zane shot Skylar a sideways look. ‘I’ll be sure to do that.’
Oh,please. Skylar watched as Zane took his time to stand and take his jacket from the back of the chair. He and Bernie shook hands and Zane was intolerably genuine in his thanks. Of course Zane had charmed the man and now they were BFFs for life.
Turning, he licked a little sugar from his lip and batted his lashes at her. ‘Where next, Skylar?’
‘I’ll see you to reception,’ Skylar muttered.
‘Afraid I won’t find my way on my own?’ His smile widened. ‘You trust me that little?’
She pushed open the door to the stairwell. It was one flight of stairs.One. But as she got to the landing, Zane stopped two steps below her.
‘Is something wrong?’ she asked when he didn’t move.
He was looking directly into her eyes. She should have taken him to the elevator.
‘I’m curious. Do you really believe that that experience would make me want to keep this company intact?’
That ‘experience’? She frowned and moved to the edge of the top step to see his expression. Had he been faking that friendliness with Bernie? Good to know. But she was disappointed in him. ‘Wasn’t it worth your precious time?’ she asked sarcastically. ‘Well, too bad. You deserved it because you don’t value other people’s time. I figured why not waste some of yours?’
‘I value your time,’ he said softly. ‘Most of all I value the time weshare, together.’
Every muscle tensed. She wasnotgoing to be taken in by him. ‘Does that sort of line actually work?’
But she was flustered.Reallyflustered.
‘It’s not a line,’ he said simply. ‘It’s the truth.’
‘Stop—’
‘And you’re wrong, by the way,’ he interrupted. ‘I’mnot the one wasting my time here. This morning’s session with Bernie was extremely worthwhile. He’s a very nice guy.’
That disappointment melted and she softened towards him. ‘Yes. I’d trust him with my life. He’s been here for ever.’
‘Yeah.’ He climbed one step so he was closer. ‘He told me a lot about you.’
‘He...what?’ Skylar’s breath stalled. ‘What did he tell you?’
‘Lots. You’re first in, last out. You know everyone by name—’
‘I work in HR. It would be bad if I didn’t—’
‘Care too much? I really don’t get why you’re still working here,’ he said. ‘You’re bright. You work hard. You could’ve been VP at some other company already. Instead you’re side-tracked taking on all the projects no one else wants. Bernie said you leap to help anyone who asks. That it’s too easy for you to say yes and you find it impossible to say no. Which is so ironic when apparently it’s the reverse in the rest of your life.’
She gaped.
‘Do you still feel like you owe the company something?’ he pressed her. ‘Loyalty can last only so long. You should have moved on right after your internship. This company is merely a machine that will chew you up till there’s nothing left. It doesn’t valueyou.’
‘You’re wrong,’ she whispered.
‘I think you already know I’m not.’ He lifted her braid and resettled it over her shoulder.
‘Don’t toy with me,’ she whispered.
‘Is that what you think I’m doing?’ He shook his head and smiled. ‘You’re the one who won’t let me get past on the stairs.You’rethe one standing too close...’