Page 2 of To the Chase

“I like the way you think, Novak. The longer we’re acquainted, the more we’ll keep discovering each other. In a year or two, we’ll be best friends.”

“I already have best friends.”

He waved me off again. “Clara and Shira will share you with me,” he said, as if it were a done deal and I had no say in it.

I had no idea how to reply. Luckily, Ben wasn’t looking for an answer. He tapped the side of my car, shot me a wide grin, and called, “Good luck with your gig. Not that you’ll need it, with all your competency.”

I couldn’t help but return his smile. “Thanks for your confidence. And lending your muscles.”

He winked. “Anytime.”

When I arrived at Nox Cyber, I was greeted by Paul, the office manager who’d hired me. He showed me into the conference room to set up and stayed to watch me like he was afraid I’d steal something if he left me alone.

Corporate gigs weren’t new to me. I’d been catering for two years. Being side-eyed by uptight suits or ignored altogether was the norm and no skin off my back. Years of waitressing had made me used to being overlooked or mentally undressed while doing my job.

“Do you work with a lot of companies in the city?” Paul asked, propping a hip against the long, sleek conference table.

I glanced up from the charcuterie cups I was arranging. “I do. I assumed that was how you got my name.”

For a guy who worked at a tech company, Paul had “finance bro” written all over him. Not that I was an expert, but I’d spent enough time in boardrooms to sense vibes in each industry. His swooping side part, fitted chinos, button-down, and fleece vest werethe uniform of his people, but he’d gotten lost somewhere along the way and had wandered into a cybersecurity firm.

He folded his arms. “You were on the approved vendor list, actually.”

“Oh.” That surprised me since I didn’t have any contacts at Nox. “Is it a long list?”

“It isn’t. Our regular caterer suddenly bailed, and no one else could squeeze us in at the last minute. You were our last hope.”

If he was trying to neg me, it wasn’t working. I plastered on my best smile and said, “Lucky for you, I had an opening in my schedule.”

He sniffed. “Are you so busy there was a chance you wouldn’t?”

Putting the final cup down, I faced him, still smiling, though he didn’t deserve it. Whatever stick he’d sat on was making him ultra grumpy, and I was getting the brunt of it. I’d been nothing but friendly, and he was giving me grief for no good reason. Like he was waving his dick at me just to show me it was big.

“There’s always a chance, Paul.” I tucked my hands in my pockets. “I’ve been running the Denver side of Grazing by Daisy and Bea for almost two years. We’re still growing, but our calendar fills up fast. If you’d called on a Wednesday or Thursday, the answer would’ve been no. Fortunately for us both, my Tuesday mornings are free. For now.”

“Right.” He tugged on his vest zipper. “Lucky us.”

“Itislucky.” I took a step toward him. “I have a feeling I saved your butt today, so I’m not sure why you’re challenging me. Anyway, everything’s set for the meeting. Unless there’s something else, I have another job to get to.”

Nostrils flaring, he surveyed the spread I’d just finished arranging. It was picture-perfect—charcuterie cups, mini muffins, fresh fruit, coffee, tea, and juice, all arranged with my custom bee-and-daisy napkins and a few paper flowers I’d crafted—little touches that had gotten me on so many vendor lists. I was hoping Nox Cyber would be next. I could deal with Paul if it meant more money in my pockets.

Finally, Paul met my gaze. “Everything looks great,” he admitted, though it sounded like it pained him. “Thank you for fitting us in. I scheduled the remainder of your payment to be sent this afternoon.”

I saluted him. “Appreciated very much, Paul. If there’s nothing else, I’ll gather my things and clear out.”

“There’s nothing else. I have to see to a few things before the meeting starts.” He hesitated at the door. “Will you be able to see yourself out?”

I read the undercurrent in his question loud and clear.Can I trust you not to steal the projector and everything else not nailed down if I leave you to your own devices? Will you exit quietly without embarrassing me? Will I return to find you passed out with a needle sticking out of your arm?

Paul truly had trust issues.

I flashed him my dimples. “I’ll be fine and out of here in a minute or two.”

Turning away, I focused on packing up. I had another job across town at the Levy building, and I’d taken extra time here, so I needed to hustle.

With everything loaded into my bags, I slid the straps over my shoulder, picked up a box, and headed forthe door.

I should’ve been paying attention, but my mind was already on my next gig, which is why I ran straight into a man in the doorway.