Chapter 21

Mel

I pressed send and then threw the phone on the sofa next to me. She was invited now. Stupid shit, I really needed to make this into a short project and just get it over with.

I got up. We’d meet later today. I’d already talked to my manager, and he’d agreed to bring in another hire on a project basis. Stupid shit. What until then? Should I go to the bar? That would be a bad idea, but I could really have a beer.

Dammit, I should just get ready. I left the phone on the sofa and got into the shower. Stupid shit. Why was I even making such a fuss about it all? I didn’t want to sleep with her, so why was I even fretting about it? She was just someone who would work for me that happened to be…different… I squeezed some shampoo into my hand and worked it through my hair. She wasn’t like everyone else. Not like the bastards and idiots around. I wondered who she was beyond her shyness.

I turned off the water. Nevermind, it didn’t matter. It would be a single project, and then it would be over.

I warmed a pizza as I got out and sank down on the sofa. Mike Tyson’s greatest hits would keep the morning going.

When it was time, I took the car there and parked outside. Stupid shit, I only hoped this would be over quickly. The manager was already sitting at the table when I walked in.

“Hey, good to see you.”

“Whatever”

He chuckled.

“So, I have a couple of projects we could choose from. What do you think?”

He pushed the folder over to me, and I skimmed through it.

“Sounds good. Just pick one to start with.”

I pushed it back, and he flipped through the pages.

“So, how did you meet her?”

Oh no, we wouldn’t go down that road, not now.

“She’s a friend of a friend.”

He nodded, but before he had time to ask more, there was a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

It took forever for the door to slowly open and for her to step inside. She was clutching a laptop to her chest, and she immediately looked down when she saw us. The manager got up and walked over to her.

“Nice to meet you. Please, sit.”

Stupid shit, but at least he was around. This would have been so awkward without him. She took a seat and gingerly placed the laptop on the table. The manager took his seat at the table.

“I’ve seen your work. You’re really talented. I think you’ll fit in well and do a good job.”

“Thank you…”, she whispered.

“Now…”

He glanced at me, and I gestured for him to continue. I wouldn’t talk if I didn’t need to.

“We have a couple of smaller projects to do first. That way, we can establish a working routine and see how we’ll best go from there.”

She nodded and took the stack of paper he pushed over the table.

“The brochure would be the first. We already have the concept for it, we would just need it designed. Would that be something you’d feel alright with?”

She flipped through the papers, and to my surprise, I could see her relax. It was the first time I’d seen her deep in thought rather than quietly nervous.

“Yes…”

“Splendid”

He turned to me.

“I will let you work through the details. Let me know what you agree to.”

He got up before I had a chance to protest.

“I’ll talk to you later.”

He turned to Nina.

“It was nice to meet you.”

She only nodded in reply, and he gave us a bright smile, did a mock salute and left. I glanced at Nina. Stupid shit… What was I supposed to say?

“You…think that will be okay?”

I nodded at the paper stack on the table. She nodded.

“I think so…”

“So…”

I drummed my fingers against the table.

“That’s it? You can send me the deadline when you’ve looked through it.”

“I…”

I stopped mid-air on my way up.

“I…was wondering if you’d like a coffee.”

I paused. A coffee? Was she asking me for a coffee? What was I supposed to answer? Did I even want a coffee? I…did…

“Sure…”