Page 15 of Beautiful Rose

After a few moments of weird silence, he says, “That was very good work, Ms. Marlin. I’ll discuss with Oscar how your initiative can be implemented—Wow, is that Wolverine?”

My head jerks up at him in surprise as he points to my screen.

Crab. I’ve closed the presentation and there he is—my favorite superhero with his claws drawn and ready to attack.

“Yeah,” I reply sheepishly.

So much embarrassment for one day. Way to go, Rose.

In the past hour, I’ve not only demonstrated that I’m extremely paranoid but also a superhero junkie.

“Are you a fan?” he asks in an excited throaty voice.

I nod, shifting nervously in my seat.

“Me too. I liked the movies, but they aren’t up to par with the comic books.”

“Huh?” My mouth falls open, and I have to remember to close it before a fly becomes my midmorning snack.

“I mean, they skipped a lot of details in the movies,” Zander explains as if I don’t know.

I can’t help but simply stare at him. Is he one of those rare people who shares my enthusiasm for Wolverine comics? Not movies, but comics!

“Have you read the comics?” I don’t think I heard him right.

“Of course. I didn’t like how the relationship between Sabretooth and Wolverine was modified in the movie.” His forehead puckers in irritation.

“You have read the comics,” I squeal in excitement and end up laughing like a fool. There are very few things that can ease my anxiety, and Wolverine talk tops that small list.

“Of course. I can recall quite a few instances where I’ve been referred to as a Wolverine junkie.”

I look at him for the first time without fear or nervousness, and he’s grinning from ear to ear. I’m sure my face mirrors his expression.

I’m about to tell him that Kristy calls me by the same name when there are three brisk knocks on the door.

Kristy and Oscar look at us in confusion.

Oscar’s brows furrow, while Kristy raises an eyebrow as their piercing gazes zoom in on my wide smile. Realization suddenly hits me—I’m smiling and laughing with my boss, who I’ve met just yesterday and is an almost stranger.

Zander gets up and straightens his jacket. “It was very nice talking to you, Ms. Marlin. Keep up the good work.”

I’m momentarily amazed at how swiftly he switched from superhero groupie to serious CEO.

As the men leave the room, Zander looks at me over his left shoulder, and my stomach does a strange flip-flop when I see his dimpled left cheek.

7

ROSE

“This legit looks empty,” Kristy says at the absence of the usual line at Steamy Beans, the café opposite our office building.

“It’s because we’re an hour early.” I drag myself to the counter in a huff.

It’s not that I have a problem getting up at six in the morning. In fact, my first morning alarm is set for six. But I do need two hours to get all my tasks done. Brush, floss, twenty minutes of stretching, shower, breakfast, and I’m ready at eight. But at six thirty this morning, while I was just setting up my yoga mat, Kristy stormed into my room announcing that we’d be leaving in thirty minutes.

“Why are you so grumpy? I’m making a new habit today.” She points to the book in her open handbag on healthy habits, which ironically, I gifted her last month on her birthday.

What was I thinking?