Page 49 of The Restoration Program

Nicole’s eyebrows hiked up. “Jealous?”

“No job and a doting boyfriend? That’s the stuff of Hallmark movies.”

An awkward beat passed between them as Nicole simply stared, wondering if she was joking.

Cora’s smile sobered. “Though, of course, I am so sorry about everything that happened. Just awful. You’re so brave.”

“Thanks,” Nicole said, uncertain. “Good to know you’re on my side about Ryan being a smartass, though.”

“Hey,” Ryan chuckled. “This smartass landed you your biggest account, Cora. Still waiting on that thank-you note, by the way.”

Cora shrugged. “Must’ve gotten lost in the mail.”

“You can compensate me with some coffee, then.” Smiling, he looked down at Nicole and cupped a hand at her back. “Cora helped me get settled with this new position. She works in the office across from mine, over there.”

Nicole tried to remember any mention of Cora during Ryan’s first weeks working at the office, but nothing came to mind. He looked at ease after Cora’s calm reaction, as though she was a good friend. And his smile stuck even after he fixed his eyes back on Cora.

“Nice to meet you,” Nicole said stiffly. She put a firm hand on Ryan’s sleeve. “But we should get going to see Mr. Callahan.”

“Oh! Right.” Cora looked between them. “Do you want me to put in a good word? I wouldn’t mind.”

“That’s nice of you, but I think we can manage,” Nicole said quickly.

“Don’t want to gang up on him,” Ryan added after a pause.

“Sure.” Cora backed toward the door. “You’rethe expert in all things, right?”

“That’s right,” Ryan said, waving her off as he and Cora laughed.

Nicole waved stiffly at the last second.

Don’t get jealous. You should be grateful for every person who’s not a total dick to you, she thought. Since when was she the type to grow cold toward a person who made Ryan smile?

But he was smilingso much.

Good morning, Mr. Callahan. I know it must be a shock to see me here, but…

Nicole mentally rehearsed what she was going to say as she huddled back in Ryan’s laptop bag.I promise not to cause any trouble, I just think our situation would improve this way…

She moved her lips silently, making minuscule adjustments to the phrasing and tone of her voice—all the things that would either make no difference or all the difference to how the rest of her day would pan out.

But she could not change the fact that this would be Callahan’s first impression of herever. There probably would be higher hopes of convincing him if he’d first met her as a person—not a walking, talking medical miracle.

There were more voices in the office, but thankfully no more mail carts to dodge. Ryan’s steps slowed to a stop, and he knocked at a door.

“Come in,” a voice said. “Mr. Northe. What can I do for you?”

Nicole peeked through the opening beneath the flap and caught a glimpse of an older man sitting behind a large desk. He wasn’t the frightening image she had conjured in her mind, but the note of calm confidence in his mild-mannered tone was enough to tell her this man was highly esteemed. The room whirled around as Ryan turned to shut the door behind him.

“Sir, you’ve already been so accommodating to us with this bizarre situation. I wanted you to know how grateful we are—me and Nicole.”

Callahan rolled his chair away from his computer to face forward. He removed a pair of thin-rimmed reading glasses and regarded Ryan with what Nicole could only interpret as concern.

“I sense a ‘but’ coming,” Callahan said astutely.

Ryan sighed. “Leaving her at home during my shifts is harder than we thought it’d be. She’s still getting used to being on her own and after almost losing her—things are different now.”

Nicole took a deep breath, bracing herself to be revealed like they’d planned, but Ryan made no move to open the pocket of the satchel. He barrelled on. “With your permission, sir, I’d like to bring her with me to the office. Discreetly, of course. At least for a trial period.”