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SEVENTEEN
The hug had surprised him. He hoped she would like the phone case. He’d wanted it to be more personal so she would know he’d been paying attention to every little thing she had told him about her life. But he hadn’t expected her to wrap her arms around him like that. It was probably crossing the line for him to inhale the coconut scent of her hair and press a quick, soft kiss atop her head, but he’d done it anyway. Because having her in his arms, holding her close, felt so right. So natural. He never wanted to let go.
And then she’d called him Kurtis, and their sweet moment was over as quickly as it began.
It had been a close call earlier, seeing his father and Wayne Middlebury walking out of the building, and he’d totally panicked, knowing they couldn’t get by without Dad seeing him. That would’ve been the end of it. He wouldn’t have been able to explain so she’d understand. He would’ve been outed as the liar he was.
She seemed to notice his awkwardness after their hug and moved to sit at her desk. He wished he could tell her that the hug wasn’t what made him uncomfortable. The hug was very comfortable, and he knew he’d never forget her warmth or the way her body fit perfectly against his.
Genevieve opened her notepad.
Gosh, he loved her little notepad. He took a seat across from her. “Cross anything else off?”
She took out a pen and made a line through two items. “Meet with 80s band.” She looked up at him. “We know how that went.” Then she marked off another. “Meet with 20s band. Done.”
“They were really good. I love the Roaring Twenties theme. It’s great, Genevieve.”
She straightened her back confidently. “Thank you.”
“So, we’re going all out with this, huh? Flapper dresses and vests and waistcoats?”
“Doesn’t it sound amazing? I think it will be a big draw for the gala. People are used to black tie for these galas, but this puts such a fun spin on it. Can you imagine everyone dancing the night away to that band?”
He shook his head and let out a sigh without realizing he was doing it.
She gave him a curious look. “What was that for?”
“You’re like a breath of fresh air blowing through these offices, Genevieve Willis. I think we needed you, and we didn’t even know it.”
His words brought color to her cheeks, and she smiled shyly. “If only it was cold air.” She fanned herself with the notepad. “Is it extra hot in here, or is it just me?”
He thought it was just him and his reaction to her, but she was right, it was starting to feel a little close. “I’ll go check on things. When I get back, I’m helping you get your phone set up.”
She rolled her eyes as he walked out of the office, which was the cutest thing he’d ever seen.
As he walked along the hallway, an uneasiness settled over him about the fundraiser. He would never be able to attend without being recognized. He had two options. Tell her before the regatta or find a reason not to be there. He knew deep down which option was the right one.
As he approached the marketing cubicles, he saw a group of the employees gathered and noticed they were fanning themselves. He rolled his sleeves up as he approached, and they set their fans down, scrambling to look like they were working.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Schultz,” a young man greeted him.
“Good afternoon, Gordy. Anybody know what’s up with the air in here?” Sebastian asked.
“Air conditioning’s out in the entire building,” Gordy explained. “Maintenance has been called, and it’s being taken care of, but it’s been getting hotter and hotter as the day goes on. It’s like heat indexes over a hundred today.”
“Why don’t you all go home for the day,” Sebastian told them.
“Oh, it’s no problem, Mr. Schultz. We can take the heat,” Gordy replied, which got him a smack on the arm from the girl standing behind him.
“I insist. Go home and cool off.”
“Thanks, Mr. Schultz,” they all said as they began gathering their belongings.
Sebastian walked to the receptionist’s desk. The employees followed not long after, all walking past him quietly until they were down the hallway, and then they started chatting and laughing together. It was clear they thought they had to be professional around him, and he hated how formal they were. If Gus had been there, they would have acted completely different. Everyone liked Gus. He was the fun one who joked around with them.
He turned his attention to the receptionist. “Carol, you’re free to go home for the day. It’s way too hot in here. And can you call Holly and have her let the other departments know they should go as well?”
“Yes, Mr. Schultz.”