Bad Seed

I nodded. “So, I’ve realized.”

Michael and I spent the rest of the morning talking. I asked what he did for a living, something about oil rigs or tools, and he asked more questions about my job search, what kind of column I wanted to write, where I went to school, my journalistic background.

With each minute that passed, it became easier and easier to talk to him. Michael didn’t feel like a stranger. There was something oddly familiar about him, something that put me at ease and made me feel like Ennis was really meant to be my new home. When he finally stood up to leave, a sense of disappointment settled in my chest, but I pushed it away and fixed him with my best smile.

“It was really nice to meet you,” I said.

“This doesn’t have to be goodbye,” Michael said. “I’m fairly confident I’ll see you around again, but just in case…”

He pulled a pen out of his pocket and grabbed a napkin off the table. Handing both to me, he raised his eyebrows suggestively.

I laughed and took the pen from him. Scribbling my number on the napkin, I felt his eyes on the back of my neck. Just his attention was enough to make my cheeks blush.

“Thank you,” he said as I handed him the napkin with my number written on it.

“I’ll see you around,” I said.

“You definitely will.”

Michael grinned at me one last time before waving goodbye to Sarah and stepping outside. I watched him until he disappeared around the corner, my cheeks still slightly warm.

CHAPTER 4

MICHAEL

Julie’s face floated through my mind for the rest of the day. I was extremely late to work that morning, but I didn’t care. By the time I ambled into the office, Marcy had ten messages for me and was on her way out to lunch. My mind was barely focused on work, even as I threw myself into returning phone calls and emails.

All I could think about were those pale blue eyes and her light brown hair that fell just to her shoulders. Whenever she shifted her head, it caught the sunlight just right and made my stomach tighten. She was tall, but not too tall. Her curves were just enough to draw my eyes. She was gorgeous in a way I’d never expected. I could have stayed in that café all day if it meant I could talk to her.

As I sat back in my chair, I tried not to think about her. I tried to listen to the client who was talking a mile a minute in my ear. I tried to focus on the emails pouring in. I tried to ignore the nagging voice in the back of my head, telling me to drop everything and call Julie. Nothing worked. No matter how much I tried to stay focused on work, I just couldn’t get her smile out of my mind.

Julie looked to be in her mid-twenties, although I didn’t know her exact age. When she spoke about her job as a journalist, she slipped into an easy professionalism that most people her age didn’t have. I was impressed by her the second she opened her mouth. She was intelligent and witty. Talking to her was effortless. I couldn’t remember the last time I could joke with someone the way I joked with her.

“Mr. Smart?” Marcy asked, poking her head into my office. “I have Timothy Harrington on the phone.”

If there was anything that would drive Julie out of my head, it was the name, Harrington. “Put him through.”

Marcy nodded and hurried back to her desk. I heard the familiar click of her phone, and then, my own rang sharply. I picked it up quickly and pressed the receiver to my ear.

“Mr. Harrington,” I said. “What can I do for you today?”

“My lawyers went over the contracts,” Timothy said, not bothering with pleasantries. “Everything seems to be in order.”

“That’s wonderful,” I said. “I’m glad to hear it.”

“Jonathan and I will sign them tomorrow,” Timothy said. “Your office should have them by the end of the day.”

“Thank you,” I said, trying to keep the eagerness out of my voice. “I look forward to working with you, Mr. Harrington.”

“And Michael?” Timothy said. “Don’t screw this up.”

With that, Timothy hung up, and I was left with a dial tone. I shook my head and exhaled sharply as I laid the phone back down. My entire body felt light as air. Not only did I spend the morning with an amazing woman, but I just landed the biggest account of my career.

I couldn’t wait another second. Without thinking, I pulled the napkin with Julie’s number out of my pocket and smoothed it out on my desk. I dialed her number and grinned as I sat back and listened to the phone ring.

“Hello?” Julie’s voice was just as sweet and seductive as it had been in person.

“Hey there, it’s Michael,” I said. “Any luck on the job front?”