My back goes rigid. “Why?”
“Because you don’t seem like the kind of man who has the time to drop off papers that have nothing to do with you. Aren’t you supposed to be busy or something?”
“Or something.” I sneer.
She rolls her eyes with a smile. “So sensitive.”
The insult has my fists balling up at my sides. “You’re right. I do have better things to do than serve as your personal mail courier. If Scott doesn’t have the courage to face you himself, then that’s his problem, not mine.” The lie slips past my lips with ease.
“Oh, sure. No problem. I’ll text him myself.” While her smile is a dimmer version of her previous one, it still makes my chest tighten.
I really need to get the hell out of here. My eyes remain focused on the exit as I leave Zahra behind with nothing but a string of lies to keep me company.
17
Zahra
Scott hasn’t answered my thank you text yet and it’s been a whole hour since Rowan stopped by and nearly kissed me.
And you almost let him. Maybe it’s the way his eyes lock on my lips. Or how my entire body inappropriately heats up whenever he gets too close.
I try to distract myself with working on my presentation but I find my mind drifting. It feels weird to not have spoken to Scott for an entire day, and I’m not sure what to make of that. He’s quickly becoming the first person I text in the morning and the last person I speak to before falling asleep.
I might have no idea what he looks like but I know he has a good heart. I’m all about trusting my feelings and there’s something about Scott that tells me to keep trying, regardless of how shy he might be.
I shoot him a text message with my streaming logins and passwords, hoping to get his attention.
Me: If you comment on my Recently Watched shows, I swear I’ll murder you in your sleep.
Me: Once I find out your HP address of course.
I count the seconds that tick by based on the beat of my heart.
Nothing.
I shut off the ringer and throw my phone into one of the drawers of my desk, hoping the dark corners swallow it whole.
During my lunch break, I pull out my phone to find a few messages from Scott.
Scott: If you are trying to find out my location, I suggest starting with an IP address.
Scott: And I won’t judge too hard.
I grin like a goof at my phone.
Me: You’re totally judging.
Scott: Me? Never.
Scott: But do you recommend The Duke Who Seduced Me?
Me: Shut up.
Scott: That’s not nice.
Me: It’s for research purposes.
Amongst other things. I’m not about to reveal my obsession with Juliana De La Rosa and the TV adaptations of her books.
My phone buzzes.
Scott: Of course. You seem like a diligent Dreamland employee.
Something about the text has my cheeks burning.
Scott: Care to share why you have seventeen versions of Pride and Prejudice saved to your Recently Watched list?
Me: Consider it a virtual safety blanket.
Scott: But who needs seventeen versions of that movie?
Me: The same person who would be happy with eighteen.
Scott: You’re unique.
Me: Unique happens to be my middle name.