Lost and Found (Growing Pains #1)(72)

“Um. Yes?” she said in a small voice. And then she started babbling. She couldn’t help it.

“I’m sorry, you just had so much on your list. It was a lot—you know?—and if I didn’t organize it and categorize it then no one would’ve been able to make heads or tails of it. Plus, there is so much information—smaller parts of the larger—that I had to make sure it was kept together or it would have been lost. And I thought you wanted everything I could find so I did the work catalog stuff, but then the library stuff to give it more body, you know? And I hadn’t seen you so I just moved on after...”

Krista, shut up already!!

But she couldn’t. Her mouth wouldn’t shut off. “I mean, I probably should have checked in, I know that. If I had more experience I would have. That is my bad. You live, you learn, you know? And I’ve learned. But I thought I should just forge ahead. And Marcus really is a genius when I have a clue how to work with his stuff, so I just…um, but, I can go any direction you want. I can—“

“Krista,” Sean said to stop her tirade. He had a smile on his face, but still an unreadable eye stare going. “It appears you think me disappointed in your work?”

Krista shot a harried look at Ray, meeting an encouraging smile. Back to Sean’s stare. “Um...uh...what?”

Sean leaned back and grabbed a book with Marcus’s ideas. “Genius. Unbelievable. All of this. This is more information than I have ever had to work with. Ever. I looked at the table of contents. Everything I can possibly think of is in here, plus some I’d missed.”

“Well…yeah. That’s what you asked for. Isn’t it?”

Sean switched his stare to Ray across the table then shook his head in disbelief. “I’m not your boss. I’m not even liked by your boss. I didn’t expect to be followed to the letter.”

“Oh. I thought you were my acting boss for this?”

“Sean expected you to do the minimum on each bullet point, and then he would tell you where to research further,” Ray said to explain.

“Oh. Should I have done that? I thought about that when you called the meeting. I should have checked up—got clarification. Or asked for deadlines.”

“No, you dumb-ass. You’re not in trouble.” Sean laughed. He sounded like the guy she had lunch with. Easy and friendly.

“Oh?” She perked up. “Well why didn’t you say so? But it is a bit of overkill, though, huh?”

“Yes. Very much. Which is exactly what we need.” Sean’s eyes fell to the books, littering the table top. “And who did you get to help you with Marcus’s ideas? I have often heard him shoot out some great stuff, but we could never get anything from Research to help us. We usually just had to try it blindly. It usually works. Almost always, actually. But it is always a risk.”

“Yeah, I can see how Research failed to figure out what he was talking about. I have a friend who helped.”

“Your roommate?”

“Yeah.”

“When can I meet him?” Sean was leaning forward in predatory mode.

“He has a job. And he goes to school.”

“When can I meet him?”

“Let’s get the account first, and then we’ll talk.”

Sean just smiled and shook his head. “You can’t protect him forever.”

“Oh yes, I can. He needs it.”

“What do you bribe him with to help you?” Ray asked from across the room.

A glint game to Sean’s eye. He obviously hadn’t thought to take that route in questioning.

“I help him with his finances and he helps me with this or whatever I need. Or else one of us buys the other dinner.”

“Help with his finances? Money trouble?” Sean asked, leaning forward again.

“No, he makes a ton of money. He just has a problem with budgeting it. And paying bills is beyond him.”

“Hmmm,” Sean looked at Ray, forming a plan of the silent variety.

“Alright guys.” Krista stood up. Sean and Ray stood up with her. “Marcus told me I am going to drinks with him tonight. You all are welcome to come if you want.” She looked at Ray more than Sean. It felt weird inviting Sean for some reason.

“I guess the secret’s out,” Sean studied her with his clear gaze.

“I think it was out when Marcus found out Krista got an office and a raise,” Ray said, getting ready to heft the books into his arms.

“How did Marcus find out I got a raise? I didn’t even know that until I got my paycheck! And, what secret?”

Sean chuckled. “Marcus makes it is business to know the gossip around here. He must be friends with someone in payroll.”

“You as a viable team member secret,” Ray said with a kind-hearted smile.

“Ray, are you ever mean?”

“I leave that to my wife. Or Sean.” Ray laughed. “I remain the sugar, they remain the vinegar.”

“Huh. Anyway, I’m off.”

“Krista—“

Krista turned back at Sean’s voice, her face nearly bumping off his neck. She hadn’t realized he followed.

“Great work,” his voice was deep and quiet. “Really. It beats my expectations. You were a solid choice. John doubted my faith because you have no experience. I like being right. Thank you.” He gave her an adorable boyish smile that melted her heart.