Page 23 of See It Through
The silence stretched for an uncomfortably long time before Remi finally broke it. “Are you doing okay?”
“I told you I was.”
“No.” His arms fell, and he tucked his hands into his pockets. “I know you’re not hurt. I mean, since Graham—”
“Oh.” My spine went ramrod straight. “Do you really care?”
I said this without ire. It was a legitimate question. A few minutes ago, I’d been sure Remi didn’t give a single damn about how I was faring internally.
“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t,” he replied. “Caleb really imparted how much Graham meant to you. He was more than just a boss.”
I nodded. “A lot more than a boss. Family,” I choked out. God, I hated how tight my throat was and how badly my eyes burned. I didn’t mind crying. Hell, I’d cried rivers over the last few months, and there was an ocean of sadness still churning inside me. But I liked to save my tears for those who might understand. Remi wasn’t one of those people.
“I don’t know how to make things better for you, Hannah, but I’d like to make them easier. Tell me what I can help you with—the tasks you don’t want to do or don’t have time for—and I’ll take care of them.”
“I don’t need help,” I replied automatically, though it wasn’t strictly true. I did, but not from him.
“Not from me,” he murmured.
“Are you a mind reader?” I blurted.
His laugh was soft. “No, and gotta say I’m thankful for it right now. Your face is pretty easy to read, though. Right now, it’s telling me to piss off.”
I picked up the cupcake on my desk and squeezed it hard. “Well, you’re wrong. I was actually calling you a dick in my head.”
This time, his laugh was more like a roll of thunder, full-bodied and echoing off the walls.
“That goes without saying.”
The corners of his hazel eyes crinkled into starbursts, and I wished I didn’t find it as mesmerizing as I did. I also wished he didn’t laugh so easily—especially when I was trying to be mean to him. It made it difficult to hate him. I still managed, though. Reminding myself he wasn’t the slightest bit sad about losing Graham while I was still devastated did the trick.
I stood and walked toward him, taking the doorknob in hand. “I have a few calls to make. If that’s all…”
He hesitated, but only for a moment before backing up a step. Once he did, I swung the door closed, breathing a sigh of relief.
Hopefully, it wouldn’t be long before Remi got the itch to hit the road again.
I just had to wait him out.
Chapter Eleven
Hannah
A week went by,and Remington was still around.
I knew this because his footsteps were driving me crazy. I couldn’t concentrate on anything with him tromping back and forth over my head. If I hadn’t known any better, I would’ve said he was dancing up there.
He’d picked a bad day to take up two-steppin’. After a busy morning of clients, I was sweaty and tired. I wanted to get my paperwork done and get home, but not before I grabbed a treat from Sugar Rush.
My stomach rumbled at the thought. If Phe ran out of donuts before I got there, I was going to be pissed.
“Okay, concentrate, Hannah Kelly,” I mumbled. “Surely he’ll stop soon.”
I picked up my phone to call a client, but before I could dial their number, I forgot who I was calling and why. My attention had been diverted by a sudden bang right above my head, followed by more of those torturous footsteps.
“That’sit.” I pushed back from my desk and yanked my office door open. “Whatever he’s doing up there is going to stop. He can’t just show up here and disrupt everything.”
I stormed up the stairs, murder on my mind. No, I wasn’t homicidal in real life, but my inner thoughts could get pretty damn bloody when I was on a tear. Andboy, was I on a tear.