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Graham leans back in his seat again, taking a sip of his coffee and looking thoroughly amused.
I continue, “Like you said, you and I, we have a connection. Honestly, I feel it too. Talking to you is easy and it’s almost like you’re able to see parts of me no one else can.”
“But?” he asks, expression open, curious. He doesn’t know where I’m going with this.
“But I don’t think that has to translate to us having sex.”
“Woah, woah. You’ve lost me, Sunshine,” Graham says, holding a hand up. “What are you talking about?”
I sigh softly. “I’m saying we should be friends, Graham. I think we’d be great friends. But we don’t have to complicate our relationship with sex or any pesky emotions either of us might be feeling because we’re lonely or bored.”
He cocks an eyebrow. “This is so not how I saw your little speech going.”
“You do understand what I’m trying to say, though?” I ask.
He rubs a hand over his jaw. “It sounds like you’re friend-zoning me. What’s not to understand?”
I can’t read his expression. And I have no idea how he feels about that.
“Graham, tell me what you think,” I push.
His eyes darken for a second, but then his expression clears in an instant.
“It’s a great idea,” he says with a grin. “You and I would be great friends, Isabella. And even better, something as simple as a friendship won’t jeopardize our lives. I get to continue seeing you, Sunshine. Platonically. What more could I want?”
“Exactly,” I mutter.
And even though I can tell his smile is fake and his expression is insincere, I don’t comment on it. Because this is the way it has to be. I don’t want to stop seeing him because I care about him. But I also can’t pursue a relationship with him. And I refuse to continue sleeping with him if a relationship isn’t on the cards.
This is easier. This is safe.
CHAPTER 15
Graham
Ican’t say I’ve ever met a woman who looked me in the eye and asked for friendship in lieu of sex. But there’s a first time for everything, and two weeks ago, that’s exactly what Isabella did. And I went along with it. Because I knew deep down that she had a point.
Plus, it seemed like she went to great pains to figure out a way for us to continue to maintain a relationship. And if I’m being honest, I’m comfortable. It’s easier this way. While a part of me still thinks about her naked once in a while, the rest of me is grateful that I can simply pick up the phone and talk to her anytime I want.
A knock on my door has me lifting my head from the files I’m currently browsing through on my desk.
“Come in,” I call out.
The door opens and Taylor walks in, her heels clacking against the floors. She stands in front of my desk, holding a bunch of other files.
“These are the employee records you asked for. Details on every single person currently employed in this building—performance evaluations, training records, and any other relevant information. I had it all compiled for you based on their hierarchy in the company,” she informs me.
I offer her a small smile of thanks as she drops it on my desk. As soon as she does so, my gaze returns to the document I was poring over, expecting her to leave. But she doesn’t. I look back up at her in question.
“Did you need anything else, Ms. Evans?”
“Well, it’s pretty late. And this is a lot of work. Are you sure you don’t need help? You could always delegate some of it. Maybe I could sort through the employee records? Just tell me what you’re looking for.”
“I’m not sure what I’m looking for. Which is why I need to do this on my own. I’ll be fine, thanks,” I assure her, ready to go back to work.
Looking through employee records is something I do to acquaint myself with the people working under me. I need to understand their strengths, their needs. And although I hate to do it, if any individual is incapable of doing the job they’re currently employed in, then they’ll have to be demoted or fired.
I have a feeling in this branch, a lot of people will fall squarely into that bracket. Which is probably why it’s underperforming. Steele Industries should only have the best people in its employ.
