Page 19 of Love Under the Microscope
“Can’t say I’ve read much of it. What I have read is too sensational for me.”
I laugh hard at that. This woman is something else, and my intrigue is turning to annoyance. “Science is hardly sexy enough to make it sensational.”
“Gossip and rumors are exceptionally sensational,” she counters with a shrug. “And the work I have seen from you is all based on gossip and rumors.”
“That’s only the Lab Notes columns, and I don’t believe you.” I watch her over the rim of my mug and like the spark of mischievous humor in her eyes. She’s read my stuff and liked it. I can tell. “You’ve read more of my pieces. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be giving me access to Mr. Z, especially as some of that gossip has been about him and Zentello.”
“Your magazine’s reporters keep busy, but they aren’t as talented as you. I may have read more than a couple of your articles and been a teensy bit impressed by them.”
Knew it.
She holds up her thumb and forefinger, indicating the smallest of measurements.
I sit taller in my seat.
“I can tell you’ve spent time in the lab and know science,” she adds.
As my chest puffs, she waves a dismissive hand at me to knock me down a few notches.
“That’s another reason I want your help finding out who our big hater is,” she adds. “And no, that’s not my usual job, but I care about the company, and sometimes a person needs something extra to keep life from getting boring. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been so bored lately.”
Goddammit. She’s cute and funny. “Can’t let you be bored.”
It’s my turn to wink at her. I flash her my most charming smile, one I don’t use too often, but it’s gotten me a few perks, like extra fries with my burgers and fifty-cent rolls right before the sandwich shop closes. Now it’s time to lay my cards on the table. Zelda doesn’t seem like the type to play games.
“You had a reason for having that NDA ready for me,” I say. “We both know I’m good at what I write and what I’ll be getting in this deal. But I still don’t know what you get out of this.”
She frowns, and a cute crease appears on the bridge of her nose.
I lean my arms on the table and look Zelda directly in the eye. “You said you didn’t have much time today.”
Zelda pins me with an intense stare that feels like an arrow to my heart—direct hit.
“You’re right, so let’s get to it.” She crosses her long legs, which I really shouldn’t be noticing given our relationship—or whatever you want to call what we have—is strictly professional. “I need your help to stop whoever is blackening Zentello’s name with their lies.”
“You don’t know who that person is. Neither do I,” I remind her. “Besides, if they’re lies, why does it matter?”
“Zentello is about to formally announce the Orchid launch. We’ve been dropping hints for months now. If we delay too long after we’ve received approval, we’ll look incompetent or that Orchid has problems, which it doesn’t. More negative press like the most recent Lab Notes column could jeopardize our plans.”
“I told you I’d give you a heads-up if I hear about any articles in the pipeline.”
“And I appreciate that, but…” She doesn’t say anything, but the line above her nose deepens.
“What?” I ask.
She takes another sip. I don’t think she’s that thirsty, suggesting she’s procrastinating. Something I didn’t expect from her.
“Just say it,” I add.
“I need you to get yourself a job at UnoPharm.”
“What?” I ask around a laugh. She can’t be serious. Just the thought…
“Don’t laugh. I have no doubt you’re my guy for this.”
My guy.
No one has called me that since Aisha. I shift in my chair and press the balls of my shoes against the floor, trying to ground myself. The present matters—my future depends on what’s happening now. I can’t let myself get dragged back into the past, a past I can’t change. “That’ll be a no.”
