Page 86 of Love Under the Microscope
I place my hand on her thigh and squeeze. “Kissing seems to have nearly gotten us arrested.”
“Good thing she didn’t come in a few minutes later, then.” Zelda places her hand on top of mine, and the warmth of her skin feels so good. “You think that’s something we can continue?”
I shift in my seat, trying to keep my eyes on the street and not pull over and take her right here. For one, I’m not sure whether Frank is looking for us. Two, Zelda is worth much more than a quick fuck on the side of the road. And three, time is running out. “I need to get a story to my editor, so how about later?”
I look across, and Zelda frowns. “Could you drop me off at home, please?”
“Sure.” I briefly take my gaze from the road to look at her again. “Is everything okay?”
She opens her mouth but then nods. “I should get to the office. Nate will be wondering where I am. I turned off my phone, so I’m bound to have a thousand messages.”
“Can’t cope without you, eh?” I hate the edge to my tone, but I can’t help it. Nate Lowe is a thorn in my side where Zelda is concerned.
She covers my hand, still resting on her thigh, as if she knows what I’m feeling. “He gets antsy when he doesn’t have his morning coffee, and I usually call him and get him a cup on my way in.”
I’m not stupid. There’s more to their relationship than Nate needing Zelda to deliver his coffee, but it’s not my place to say. Nigel has been jealous, more of Nate than her, but Zelda doesn’t like that. I don’t want to act like him.
Besides, I’m not even sure what we are. We have no label on our relationship. If it is even considered one. Everything is new, but whatever’s going on feels like so much more than dating. The fact I’m even thinking this way after declaring I’d never get involved again tells me something’s going on. I guess I need to be patient and see what happens after my story is printed.
“I need to get some work done too,” I say. “Taking you back to my apartment is a surefire way to prevent that from happening.”
“I agree. Can I ask a favor first?”
“Anything.”
“Can you please pull into that gas station? I need to pee.” Zelda giggles and bounces in her seat, and everything suddenly feels lighter.
I do as she asks, and she hurries into the restroom. As I wait, a text from Drew arrives on my phone.
Drew: Time is running out. I told you last night I need that story. Every juicy detail, otherwise, you can kiss your job goodbye!
I can’t give Drew the whole story yet, but now that we have the missing pages, I’ve been trying to devise a plan to buy myself more time. One that involves Mr. Z, Zentello, and Nigel. I haven’t shared what I’m thinking with Zelda because she likes to do the planning, but after almost getting caught—again—it’s my turn. I just hope she understands.
CHAPTER 21
ZELDA
As soon as I set behind my desk, it’s clear I’m right about Nate. He’s freaking out about Orchid’s launch and has sent me twenty-seven texts and thirteen voicemails about it already.
“Nate.” I scan through emails. “Do you want me to take over?”
“No, I have Ashton on this, but Nigel—”
I push my glasses up my nose and continue reading my emails. “I found what he stole.”
“Yes! I knew you’d pull this off. You’re amazing, Zel!”
“I am.” I turn my chair to face him.
His tie hangs loose, and his shirtsleeves are rolled up to reveal his strong forearms. I’ve always loved his forearms. They made me feel safe when wrapped around me. I still love Nate in many ways, just not romantically. Ours was probably one of the least messy divorces I’ve ever heard of. We signed the papers together over dinner, then went on a weekend vacation with Nate’s family to celebrate his dad’s sixtieth birthday. I love his family, and they love me, so what’s the point in losing that mutual respect because Nate and I are no longer Mr. & Mrs.?
But his eyes are tired, and his hair is messy. He also hasn’t shaved.
“Nathaniel.” I tsk. “You’re not sleeping enough. I’ve launched over a hundred products since we founded Zentello. Some small and insignificant, some huge like Orchid. Let me work with Ashton now that I’ve resolved the mess with Nigel.”
He shakes his head. “I have this.”
“I’m sure you do, but you don’t have to. All I have to do now is review what Jack’s written from my interview, and we’re good to go.” I tap my desk with the tip of my index finger. “This company means a lot to me, as much as it does to you. I made a huge mistake with Nigel. This would be my way of evening the score, so to speak.”
