Page 87 of Hidden Ties

When his pale complexion turned red, and his chin jerked out, she realized he was trying to get her to look behind her. Swinging around, she found herself bumping into a man who was coming up to the desk carrying a cup of coffee.

Her jaw dropped when the cup jerked in his hand, spilling the contents onto the front of the man’s shirt and suit.

“Oh my gosh!” she exclaimed. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize you were behind me.”

Frantically looking around then back to Brian, she asked, “Do you have any napkins?”

Brian was already taking some out from a drawer to hand to her.

Setting the bottle in her hand down on the counter, she turned back to the man and began trying to sponge off the dark liquid. “I’m so sorry. Did I burn you?” she babbled out, not sure how she would pay for the cleaning but was determined to do so, even if she had to sell one of her kidneys.

The man flashed her a charming smile. “Don’t worry; my hide is too thick to burn.” Taking the napkins from her, the man started patting them on his stained shirt.

“When you get your suit cleaned, just give the bill to Brian, and I will reimburse the cost.”

The man shook his head at her. “No need. I was already going to have it cleaned. I had a flat tire on my way back from lunch.” He gestured down at his slacks.

Sage looked down to see an oil stain on his trousers. As she raised her gaze, she couldn’t help but appreciate the athletic build of his body. The expensive slacks had been tailormade to fit his body, and they did the job they had been designed to do.

Flushing, she hurriedly raised her gaze, realizing she had been unconsciously staring at him longer than she’d needed to, to figure out what he was referring to.

Clearing her throat of the embarrassment she felt, she spoke out in a rush, not knowing what to say. “Uh … Still, I want to pay. This is all my fault.” She bent down to pick up the coffee cup, then rose, this time making sure she kept her eyes to the side of his body.

When she met his amused gaze, she felt herself memorized, blocking out Brian behind the desk and others coming and going through the lobby.

“If you insist.”

Her eyes fell to his lips as he talked, sinking into a fantasy where he was doing more with his mouth other than talking.

Shaking herself out of the unexpected fantasy, she latched on to his words to divert her mind.

“Since it was an accident, on both of our parts, I’ll split the cost with you,” he drawled out with laughter dancing in his eyes. “I suppose we should handle this like any accident and exchange cards.” Reaching into his suit jacket, he took out a black card holder, then took a card out and handed it to her, giving her an expectant look.

“Uh …” She stared down at her empty hands, as if a card holder would miraculously appear. “I don’t …” Turning back toward the desk, she leaned over the counter and snagged an ink pen and a Post-It notepad.

She briefly noticed Brian’s rapt expression but turned back to the man she had soaked. After scrawling her name and phone number onto the pad, she tore it off and handed it to him.

“Just text me the amount I owe you, and I’ll leave the money at the desk for you to pick up.”

She felt red rushing into her cheeks when he took the paper, his gaze moving to the writing.

“Sage,” he said, tucking the paper into his suit jacket. “I’m Kent Bryant.”

FOUR

Why hadn’t she looked at his card when he gave it to her? She would have had at least a minute to compose herself. Instead, she stood there like a fool, trying to settle her scattered thoughts, which were all screaming that any hope of her getting a permanent position had gone out of the door.

Sickly, she stared at him. So much was riding on this job, and despite how nice and understanding he appeared to be, she had no doubt she’d be getting an email terminating her employment.

Concern flashed across his handsome face. “Are you okay? Did some of the coffee splash on you?”

“I’m fine.” She was uncomfortably aware of Brian watching from behind the reception counter and other employees observing them as they walked through the lobby to perform their various tasks. If Livvy was upset at Nancy mentioning Kent Bryant, she would certainly be livid at her drenching him with coffee. “Sorry again,” she apologized, starting to edge away from the embarrassing situation.

“Mr. Bryant.” Livvy’s voice made her feet freeze as her supervisor came up next to them. “What happened?”

Unable to find her tongue to explain with Livvy’s piercing gaze on her, she could only stare back at her with quivering nerves.

“I wasn’t watching where I was walking, and I accidently bumped into Ms. …?” Mr. Bryant explained without missing a beat.