Unintentional by Harkins MK

Author:Harkins, MK [Harkins, MK]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2014-05-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Cade

I have a plan. My goal is to know Laurel outside of the professional business arrangements we’re about to enter. If she isn’t out of her comfort zone, I’ll never get the opportunity to find out more about her. The real her. Laurel isn’t happy with the newest development in our possible partnership. She motions to me to talk between ourselves at the opposite side of the room.

“Cade. I thought the idea was to try to avoid being alone together.” Her face is flushed.

She’s the most exotically beautiful girl I’ve ever seen, all messy and off kilter. I need to word this just right. I don’t want to scare her off.

“What? It’s not like a date. I need some way to work off my frustration, if you know what I mean. Anyway, I figure if you’re the one frustrating me, you’d logically be the ideal running partner. I hate running alone.”

I give her my most innocent smile. I know I have her. She won’t risk this deal arguing about a little exercise.

“I don’t run.” She looks defeated. “That’s okay. I’ll slow my pace for you. I’ll even walk when you need to.”

I think she’s done protesting, until she says, “Also, um, I’m not really a morning person.” She’s chewing her bottom lip. It must be a nervous habit.

It’s having an unwanted effect on me. I want to be doing that. “You’ll get used to it.”

She groans. “All right. It’s not like I have a choice, do I?”

“No.”

We’re looking at each other. I’m smiling. She’s glowering.

“One more thing,” I add.

“Oh, no you don’t! I’d almost prefer giving up my firstborn child rather then get up at that ungodly hour and run. Run! I don’t do running. Don’t you dare add more. What’s next, weight lifting?”

A laugh escapes me. She’s feisty.

“Nah, this next one is easy. I need some help with the ins and outs of the music business. I’ve focused all my attention on my engineering job, and I’m afraid I haven’t been able to educate myself properly. While we run, I want to ask you questions, lots of questions. I’ll need honest answers. Are you okay with that?”

She looks relieved. “Thank God. Yes, yes! I can answer your questions. If I’m out of breath, you’ll wait, right? This isn’t part of the torture is it?”

“No, you’ll enjoy this. I’ll wait for you whenever you need me to. So, do we have a deal? We run, I ask questions, you answer. Simple.” My eyebrows rise while I wait.

She’s actually thinking about this. She’s feisty and stubborn. She doesn’t like to concede anything apparently. I try to hide my smile as she wrestles with the two small requests. I watch as the war rages, and she concedes defeat.

“Okay Cade. You win, I’ll do it.”

We shake hands to seal the deal.

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