When You're Back (Rosemary Beach #12)(37)

I decided to take a page from Captain’s book and be honest. “I think he isn’t ready. We’re still kind of new. If he was really ready to marry me now, he would have asked already. I think he wants to wait until we’ve been together for a while.”

Major nodded and then shrugged. “Maybe,” he said, then tipped the front of his cowboy hat at me, much the same way Mase often did. “Have a good day, Reese.”

I got out of the truck fast before Major could think of any more nosy questions.

Two hours into work, I had drunk my entire thermos of coffee and was working on a new cup from the coffee pot in the office. I was kneeling on the floor, looking for a file that Piper had called for, when the door to my office opened, and in walked Captain.

I was not going to be rude today. He had said he wasn’t flirting with me, so I wasn’t going to be so defensive. We would be working together for a while, and I needed to find a way to do that without feeling I needed to keep my guard up. Besides, I wasn’t normally a rude person. It was hard to do.

In light of my new attitude, I gave him a smile. “Good morning,” I said. I could see the surprise on his face. I wasn’t going to let him say something “honest” and mess this up. “I’ve got to look for a file for Piper, then I’ll help you with whatever you need.” I went back to hunting for the file.

“Did I walk into the wrong office?” Captain asked.

I knew he was going to say something. He had to. It was the way he was. I flashed him another friendly smile. “Nope. Just trying to make this easier. I have no reason to be defensive with you if you’re not flirting with me.”

Finally, the file appeared, and I grabbed it. I stood up and dusted off my jeans before walking back behind my desk. “More paperwork for me to file?” I asked.

He tilted his head and studied me. Well, crap. This was supposed to be easy, but he was going to make a big deal out of it. “Not today. I actually need to see a receipt I brought you last week. If you’ll point me to the right cabinet, I’ll dig through to find it.”

I nodded. “OK. The second drawer has files labeled with the dates on the receipts.”

He was still looking at me like he wasn’t sure what to do with me. Finally, he nodded and walked over to find his receipt. I took that as my opportunity to sit down and find the information that I needed to text Piper. I pulled out my phone and took several pictures of the paperwork she needed. Then I sent them to her in a text.

It was time to return voice mails about lessons, but Captain was still in my office, which seemed awkward. Besides, if he was watching me, I wouldn’t be able to write without messing up.

I decided to get another cup of coffee, even though I was getting jittery from all the caffeine. I had to get better sleep tonight. Maybe I could sleep with one of Mase’s shirts. If I smelled him, it might help.

“Found it,” Captain said, standing up with a paper in his hand. “Thanks. That’s very organized.”

I nodded. I was proud of that. Before Mase, I never would have been able to file anything according to its date. He had changed that.

Captain walked over and kept his gaze on me. “There were a couple of dates that were a little mixed up. I fixed them. I’m sure staring at numbers that much gets to your eyes after a while.”

Crap. I felt my face heat up. Here I was feeling so accomplished, when I’d messed up some receipts. Of all the people to notice, it had to be Captain.

“No need to look like you did something unforgivable. It was just a couple of receipts.”

My face only flushed more. I wanted him to leave. I needed a moment to regroup. Then I was going to check all the files. I didn’t want Piper to see them and think I couldn’t do this job. I was proud of this job. I was good at it. Or, at least, I’d thought I was.

“Reese, look at me.” Captain’s voice sounded commanding, and my head jerked up to meet his gaze. “You look like you’re about to cry. Fuck, if I’d known it was gonna upset you like that, I wouldn’t have told you about the few receipts I found. It was an honest mistake.”

My eyes stung with tears, and I hated that. I didn’t want to feel weak or damaged. I also didn’t want Captain to see my weakness.

“Swear to God, if you cry over this, I’m going to be pissed. Why are you so upset?”

Maybe it was exhaustion coupled with all the caffeine I’d poured into myself, but I was definitely emotional. I was also missing Mase. He was my security blanket, and with him gone, I had to be strong. I had always been strong before I met Mase. Why was I falling apart now?

“Reese—”

“I’m dyslexic,” I blurted out.

He went still for a moment, and then regret flashed in his eyes, and for the first time ever, I saw Captain look apologetic. I didn’t want sympathy, though.

“I’m learning how to work around it, and I’ve come a long way. I just hate making mistakes like that. It reminds me of where I was before. I don’t want to feel like that again.” I prepared myself for Captain’s apology and gritted my teeth. I didn’t want to hear it, but I knew it was coming.

“Lock up, and come with me. There’s someone I want you to meet,” he said, as if I would do exactly as he told me.

I shook my head. “I have to work.”

He frowned. “Fine. After work, then.”