The interior was as dreary as the exterior. Alan pointed out how much more space we could get for the same dollar amount in an established building. Surveying the area near the windows, it seemed strange how dark the area was on such a sunny day.
“With the cost savings in rent, we could redesign the interior into exactly what you envisioned.”
“This location wasn’t on the list of potentials.” Anderson’s voice caused me to spin around too quickly, and I had to reach out to steady myself. “Alan, there has been some mix-up. I will continue to work with Jurnee on this project.”
My surprise morphed into anger. “There has not been a mix-up.”
“There has been a mix-up, Jurnee.”
The dip in his voice annoyed me. This was the Anderson I met in the booth on my first day in the city. We were working, but he was making this personal. “I requested the change.”
Alan stood up a little straighter and crossed his arms over his chest. I wanted to punch the smirk off his face. No part of me signed up to be in the center of a pissing match with the two of them.
“Would you please excuse Jurnee and me?” Anderson’s harden facial expression and body language gave no hint of pleasantries. “We need to have a conversation.”
“I have a few more places I’d like to see today.” Alan checked his watch.
“I’m afraid this can’t wait.” Anderson had my elbow in his hand and gestured for me to join him in another part of the space. “Why don’t you head back to Morgan, and I will drop Jurnee off as soon as we finish?”
Part of me wanted to object, but I didn’t. Instead, Alan tossed up his hands and headed for the exit. Once he was out of earshot, I jerked out of Anderson’s grip.
“Before you get angry–”
“Before?” Are you freaking kidding me? Before! “I was in a meeting.”
“With Alan.”
I tilted my head at his tone. “Yes, I was in a meeting with Alan discussing a potential location for the coffee shop.”
“Ha. This is not a potential location for your coffee shops. I can assure you of that.” Usually, he had every reason to be arrogant, this was not one of those reasons.
“I don’t care. Even if I was meeting to determine whether to put a movie theatre in this very spot, it’s not alright for you to bust in and declare you want to speak to me. I wouldn’t do that to you, and I won’t allow it to be done to me again.”
“You’re right, but this is not what Graham and I envisioned for–”
“Again, this was a meeting between Alan and me.”
“The text you received yesterday wasn’t intended for you. I sent one group text to all the females in my phone. Your number wasn’t supposed to be on that list. Apparently, it was.” Anderson moved into my personal space and stared down at my lips like he was fighting not to kiss me.
His words replayed as I navigated through the thoughts shooting through my mind. “I was in a business meeting.”
“In the wrong location. With the wrong person.” He took a step closer.
“That’s not the point.” I placed both hands on his chest and gave him a shove. “I wouldn’t interrupt you in a meeting to discuss something personal.”
He took a step back, and I exhaled. “I submit that the personal issue already impacted the business you were conducting. However, I hear you, and I will try not to do it again.”
That warranted a dramatic eye roll. “I went to Graham and asked that Alan take the lead after I got your text.”
“You weren’t supposed to get the text. So, we will explain it, and we’ll be back to where we were.”
“Jesus, Anderson! You’re doing it again. You don’t get to control this. You don’t get to control me.”
“Time out.” He made a T sign with his hands. “Has it even registered that I didn’t mean to send you that text?”
My eyelids blinked rapidly as his words sunk in. “You don’t want me to delete your contact information?” He shook his head no. “You didn’t mean thanks for the memories? Because that was all kinds of shitty–”
He shook his head no and brought his lips within inches of mine.
I tried to not smile. “You told all the women in your phone to delete your number.”
Anderson smirked as the smile I struggled to contain broke free. “I love your smile.”