Overcoming Fear (Growing Pains #2)(73)

Sean wanted her to go to his office to discuss. What, did he want to rub salt in the wound, or something?

Too used to being alone in her office, she said, “Seriously?” before she could stop herself.

“What?” Marcus asked, leaning forward to peer at her computer screen. He gave Krista a suspicious look.

“I just…don’t want to deal with Mr. Handsome-Ladykiller when I feel like this.”

“Hmmm,” Marcus was staring at her. Reading her face.

“Anyway, gotta go,” Krista said, not even bothering to say goodbye as she quickly left the office.

She needed to remember to get Kate and Jaz on Marcus for damage control. She’d handled that terribly. He was undoubtedly making some wrong conclusions. Well, actually, the correct conclusions, which made it even worse.

Then she turned the corner and went blank. Sean was sitting at his desk, wearing a rumpled white polo shirt with messy hair. He looked drawn and tired. If she wasn’t mistaken, he hadn’t gotten any more sleep than she had last night.

Which begged the question: Why was he doing this to them both? Because if he felt like death warmed over, like she did, he would get over his crap and try to work through it. He would realize she was worth it.

A pulse of misery threatened to pull her under. Those were dangerous thoughts.

Mustering her resolve, remembering that she was supposed to play indifferent and upbeat, she threw on a smile and walked into his office. “What’s up, Cap’n?”

Sean caught and held her eyes for a moment too long as he said, “Hi Krista.”

“Cat got your tongue?”

“Not at all. How are you?”

About ready to cry. “Fair enough. Having personal issues with men, but they’re men--what else is new, right? Just ask Marcus.” Krista forced herself to laugh. “So, anyway, what’s up with John’s email?”

Sean missed a beat at the change in topic. He continued to look at her, worry in his eyes along with guilt. Finally, seeing she was waiting for him, he said, “John is presenting you as the Lead Researcher. He thinks that will give you more credibility, and I agree. It is also a true statement, since Jasmine and Kate report to you.”

“Oh. But I am still on your team? Or are we now a coalition?”

“You are still on my team, and I am on John’s team. You’re still a peon as far as that goes.”

“Yeah, I figured. But so are you, so that ain’t bad.”

“Ain’t, huh? You visit Texas on your way to work?”

Krista snickered, incapable of letting humor linger for long.

“You’ll need to look the part, of course,” Sean gave a pointed look at her clothes.

“I can’t afford Armani, if that’s what you mean.”

“I know. We need to work on your salary. You are at least two pay scales behind already, and will only fall further back.” Sean looked her over with his business gaze. Her heart picked up its pace and banged around in her chest.

“But that’s for later. For now, we need to get you a suit.”

Krista had reached halfway up to her seeping heart before she could stop herself. Changing the action into a reach for her lucky mug, she nodded to deflect.

“For now, let’s go shopping.” Sean jumped up and headed for the door, seemingly desperate to be on the move.

“What do you mean? Now?”

“We’ll get you a suit for Friday and expense it. I can argue it away. I can probably only get you one, though. But we’ll make it count.”

“You’re going to dress me with company money?”

“If it helps the clients imagine undressing you, it’s worth it, right?”

“Uh...”

He laughed and motioned her out of the office. “Get your bag. Hurry, let’s go. We don’t have much time.”

Ten minutes later she was ushered into a tiny shop and marched in front of an older Italian man who looked like he was born into the business. He had a measuring tape draped over his shoulder, his worn-in office had all kinds and colors of fabric swatches, and his critical eye took Krista’s measure from top to bottom before she could even get embarrassed by the scrutiny.

“Ah, Sean, always nice to see you!” The gentleman said as they came to a stop in front of the counter.

“Marco, hello. This is Krista. She needs a suit for Friday, is that possible?”

“Friday, you say? That is quick work.”

“I realize. It’s important, though, so I thought I’d check in and see if you could make room. Otherwise we’ll head on to Macy’s.”

“Macy’s? Oh no, I couldn’t send you to there, no.” Krista got another analysis. “You are in luck. I have nothing pressing for week, so I can work with this deadline.”

“Great, Marco. Do you have time to measure her now?”

“Of course.”

They walked through a doorway to the left of the counter into a small workroom stuffed with mannequins and half-finished suits toward the back. Scattered around were swatches of every shade of fabric ever created, and in the middle of the fabric hurricane was a small podium that she was unceremoniously stationed upon.

Sean sat down in one of two visitor chairs, which he had to clear off, in front of a window. His eyes were never far from Krista.