Stanton Box Set

“How long are you here?” Joshua asks as I return to safety behind my desk.

“Um.” His chest rises and his eyes flick to me. He’s nervous. “That depends,” he replies quietly.

I pick up my pen and hold it between two hands. “On what?” I ask flatly.

“On you Adrian.”

I roll my eyes. “Don’t start your shit Nicholas, you know the score.” I throw my pen onto the desk angrily.

Joshua narrows his eyes at me. “That will be my cue to leave then.” He shakes Nicholas’s hand. “Lovely seeing you mate. Call by the house. Natasha would love to catch up.”

What’s Joshua playing at? I’m going to kill him. Nicholas nods, obviously flustered at my sudden outburst. We both stare after Joshua as he leaves the room.

His eyes meet mine. “What’s with the attitude?” he says calmly.

“I told you not to come here,” I reply.

“Well I have and you are giving me half an hour.”

“I’m at work and very busy for the next couple of days.”

“Make time!” he snaps.

I scratch the back of my head in frustration. “Take a seat,” I sigh.

He sits down and looks around. “Nice office.”

I nod. “Yes.”

“How l

ong have you been here?”

I raise my eyebrows. “Do you really want to know the answer to that question? Are you here to talk about my office?”

He rolls his lips as his eyes hold mine again. “I’m sorry about before,” he murmurs.

Hurt fills me, and I drop my eyes to my desk as I run my pointer finger along the edge.

“I thought I was ready,” he replies quietly.

I stay silent.

“I had no idea I was going to fall in love with you Adrian.”

I lift my eyes to meet his and hold my chin as I think.

“I handled it badly,” he whispers.

“Is that it?” I ask.

He frowns. “What do you mean?”

“Is that all you’ve got to say? As I mentioned I’m very busy today,” I reply.

His face drops. “Why are you being such a cold bastard?”

I fake a smile. “Really? You’re calling me a cold bastard. How ironic.”