“You didn’t hear the break room talk that said otherwise, I’ve heard one too many comments about how big your hands are.” She got the last bit out through a soft laugh, still finding it remarkable that the naive interns had managed to be charmed by her strict boss. It was odd, Jo couldn’t even imagine a circumstance in which she would’ve been enthralled to work with Nathan. Huh, imagine that.
“I’ll be sure to get any answers you’d need ready for you, I’m a bit of an open book.” She messed with her watch for a moment, clearing her throat as she pondered her answers. “My middle name is Casey, my mom’s really big on music and had a favorite radio host back when she was a teenager with the same name. I don’t mention it much, I was teased a lot in middle school for my initials being the same as JC Penney.” Clearing her throat of the dull memory, she continued her response, “No food allergies, but am super allergic to pollen, so flowers are usually a no-go. Unless they’re Periwinkles, those are one of the most hypoallergenic.”
Slightly frustrated by Nathan’s answer, Jo shot both of her eyebrows up at his refusal to mention anything about his parents. “They’re gonna ask-” She started, but was immediately shut down after hearing his mumbling. Okay, then. Obviously a touchy subject, but it made sense considering how aloof the man next to her was. Figuring she had to move on and change the subject, she flipped through the packet to find another question, since they seemed to be spitballing off of each other. “How did our first date go?”
Nathan furrowed his brow heavily at the mention of his big hands. Yes, he’d heard it before, obviously, it was impossible to miss. But it was odd to hear it from Joanna, and even weirder to think about anyone in the office gossiping about him in the break room. He just figured everyone hated him. He was their boss, you’re supposed to hate your boss. Then again, he’d had a huge crush on his boss back when he was an intern at Lovell and Co. She was equal amounts of mean and busy, which seemed to be Nathan’s type at the time
“Yeah, I’ve noticed that, trust me.” He retorted, glancing at her to make sure she saw his dramatic eye roll. He could start listing instances of Joanna over-sharing right then and there if he wanted to. It was an obnoxious habit of hers. He’d pointed it out to her several times. How else was she supposed to improve? As Joanna explained every little detail about her full name, Nathan listened, stifling a yawn while he nodded aimlessly. “JC Penny. No flowers. Got it.”
He pulled his phone out of his bag as he denied her answers to his past. Maybe it was because of his fear of being pitied or his deep-rooted fear of people realizing what a monster he was. Or maybe the fact that any serious relationship Nathan had ever been in, he’d never opened up about his family. He’d rather be deported than tell Joanna Parker about the soap opera that is his family, she’d ask him a million questions about it all and never shut up about it. And worst of all, she’d probably tell everyone about his dead parents who he didn’t even miss. Any positive talk about Nathan in the break room would cease immediately. Not that he cared.
“Our first date?” Nathan repeated, turning to look at his assistant. He gave her an annoyed look, ready to tell her that he wanted to catch some sleep before he was forced to meet the fucking Brady Bunch. But he figured he’d get it over with quickly so he could get her off his back. “We went to Del Posto on 10th Avenue and... I brought you flowers because I didn’t know you were allergic. We got drinks after and then called it a night. Instant love connection or whatever.” He shrugged, typing something into his phone, keeping his eyes on the small screen as he spoke, “We can figure out the timeline when we get to the hotel. Unless your lawyer mother and alchoholic Aunt interrogate us at the gate, I think we’re good for now.”