Page 13 of Meet Me In The Dark

“What? Me? No.” I try to sound casual, but my laugh comes out forced. “Just catching up on work.”

Leaning back, she crosses her legs. “Speaking of work, how are the preliminary designs coming along for the Blackwood & Calloway project next week? It’s a huge potential contract for us.”

“They’re almost done.” Relief washes over me as we tiptoe back to safer territory. “I worked on them over my week off, so we’re ahead of schedule.”

“You were supposed to be resting that week.”

I shoot her a look. “Right, becauseyouwould ever take a full week off and do nothing. That’s rich.”

Her mouth twitches in reluctant agreement.

She watches me for a moment, and I can tell she hears everything I’m not saying. Lilian has always been good at reading between the lines.

“Can you look over them for me?” I ask just to fill the silence.

“Of course.”

“I’ll have them on your desk later today.”

She’s still staring at me.

Why is she still staring at me?

I shift in my chair, suddenly noticing how warm my office has gotten.

“What?” I finally snap.

One shoulder lifts in the slightest shrug. “Youaredistracted.”

Damn her.

I lower my gaze to the papers scattered on my desk and pretend to be interested in a binder tab. “I’m justthinking about something.”

“Thinking tends to be your default.”

“It’s… a little ridiculous.”

“I’ve heard ridiculous before. Go ahead.”

“You’re going to think I’ve completely lost my mind.”

Her lips curve into the faintest smile. “You’d be surprised what I think.”

Here goes nothing.

“Have you ever done something reckless? Something out of character?”

“Ah,” she says, the syllable a soft hum. “So thisreckless thing, does it have anything to do with you blushing so furiously I can practically feel the heat from here?”

My hand flies to my face. “Am I blushing?”

“Profusely.”

“Oh, God.” I groan.

“Celeste, what exactly are you trying to say without saying it?”

I glance at the door, at my laptop, at anything but her. “Forget it. It’s stupid.”