continued to stare at me with piercing eyes that pinned me to the spot. “Why didn’t you come to me? You know I have your back.”
“Because there’s nothing going on with Bruce.”
He sat up straighter, crossing his arms at his chest, looking more perturbed than ever. “Then why did you ask George what the policy is for inner-office relationships?”
My face heated until it felt like I was in the middle of a barbeque pit. How was I supposed to explain this without admitting my true intentions? Yes, dating Easton had crossed my mind, but the question was more about my curiosity than anything else. I wouldn’t actually date him. Or would I?
The answer that came to me was disturbing in so many ways that my skin heated even more. I wanted to date him. I wanted it so much that the thought of it not happening made me sick. Whoa… That was a revelation I hadn’t expected to have, especially not when I was sitting on the floor eating Chinese food with him. I glanced up at him, concerned he could read my thoughts, but he still had that severe look on his face, indicating he had no idea what was going through my mind at the moment.
“Well? Answer the question,” he said.
“I’m a human resources coordinator. I wanted to make sure I knew the policy.”
“He gave me the impression it was more than fact-checking.”
I pressed my lips together, ticked off that George went to Easton with false information and now I had to deal with this mess.
“Well?” Easton asked.
“He’s wrong. There’s nothing going on between Bruce and me. He must have misunderstood.”
He relaxed and let out a breath. “All right. Sorry to give you the third degree. I just couldn’t believe you wouldn’t tell me—”
“Again, nothing’s going on, so there’s no reason to bring it up.”
He held his hands up as if in surrender. “I’m not trying to make you uncomfortable. Let’s just forget about it.”
“Good idea.”
We finished our meal and, true to his word, Easton didn’t bring it up again, but I caught him watching me a few times with penetrating eyes. I got the distinct impression he was trying to figure out what was going on inside my head, and I didn’t like that at all.
I avoided eye contact with him after that because if my thoughts were written all over my face, the easy comradery we had would vanish in an instant. I couldn’t let Easton know I was developing feelings for him.
We are only friends, I repeated over and over again in my mind, and I would keep saying it until I gained control over my feelings.
Chapter 18
Maya
The next morning, I got to work a little early and ran into Easton at the elevator. I stepped next to him as we waited for the doors to open, and I expected him to wear the same severe expression he had on yesterday when he thought Bruce and I wanted to date. But when I glanced at him, he had a bright smile.
“Good morning, Maya. It’s a nice day, isn’t it?” Everything about him—his face, his body language—beamed.
“You’re in a good mood.”
The elevator doors opened, and we both stepped in. The doors closed and Easton pushed the button to go up. “And why shouldn’t I be? It’s an amazing day.”
What had gotten in to him?
Easton leaned in as the elevator jolted slightly and started going up. “Sorry about grilling you about Bruce yesterday.”
“That’s okay.” I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, not sure why he was so…upbeat.
“I had a little talk with Charlotte last night, and I finally understand why you asked George about employee relationships.”
I froze and stared straight ahead, not wanting to give away the horror that must have been on my face. “Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah.” He leaned in closer, bringing his lips to my ear, his warm breath fanning against my skin. “You were wondering about you and me.” His lips tickled my ear, and I jumped away, my heart nearly in my throat.
I was about to deny that when the doors opened, and the buzz of voices and activity filtered in. My heart pounded against my ribs, and I felt dizzy from being found out. The secret I’d been guarding was no longer a secret. Easton knew.
George stood there holding a manilla file, a serious expression on his face. “Easton, good, you’re here. I have a question for you.”
That was my cue to get out of there as fast as