Insipid Read Online Free Page A

do for the next few days,” Leigh concurs.
    Lucas continues to munch away on his muffin. His relaxed demeanor is in direct contrast to the nervous reaction I have towards him. I have to consciously steer my eyes away, determined not to look in his direction.
    “Okay, well, have a great day, gentlemen.” I nod confidently before turning around to leave.
    “Jade, wait up.” Lucas chases after me while frantically wiping his mouth with a napkin. “I might have questions for you tonight. May I just come to your office and discuss after your meeting?”
    “Yes, of course. My meeting ends at six, so I’ll be free after then.”
    “Oh. Well, I don’t want to keep you here too late,” he counters, running his hands through his hair.
    “No worries. I’m normally here catching up on work after business hours,” I assure him, giving him a smile and walking away before I say anything more. I’m normally adept at separating business from personal feelings, but this time it feels unnatural to me; somehow my mouth wants to start rambling uncontrollably.
    Nine hours later, Lucas shows up at my door carting two black binders in his arms. He uses his free arm to knock softly on my wall to catch my attention.
    “Hi, Jade. Is this a bad time? I can come back when you’re free.”
    “Oh, no, this is fine. Would you like me to go to the conference room so I can answer Leigh’s questions as well?”
    “Leigh’s gone for the day. His son is here visiting from school.”
    “Oh. Okay. Please have a seat,” I offer as I stand up to join him at my conference table.
    He leafs through the tabbed pages in one of the binders and opens it up to a specific page.
    “This one,” he says, pointing. “How were the calculations made? Did we factor in the gross value of assets? Can we get a copy of those documents?”
    “Yes, of course. Let me send that to you via email,” I suggest as I grab a pad and pen. “Let’s go through all your questions so I can send them all at the same time.”
    We spend ninety minutes discussing methodology and results. He constantly challenges my inferences to a point where he begins to get on my nerves. Not that I’m fazed by his questioning—his analytical abilities actually impress me. So young. So sure of himself. So black and white. No broken lines. I like his principled outlook.
    Lucas writes a few more notes before gently pulling the binder away from my hands. “I think I’ve challenged you enough for one evening,” he states cockily.
    “That was a challenge?” I chaff back in his face. “I thought it was a healthy discussion.”
    He gets up to gather the binders and start his trek back to the conference room. “Thank you for your time.”
    I shrug my shoulders, watch him strut away, and take a few steps to retrieve my coat. I’m not going to overanalyze his completely cool demeanor. Just as I walk out of my office, I notice him coming back in my direction.
    “Hi again.” He smiles sheepishly. I feel the warmth coming back.
    “Hi.”
    “Peace offering,” he says softly, looking like he doesn’t know what to do with his hands. He finally keeps them busy by tucking them inside his pants pockets. He looks like a runway model striking an easygoing pose. “I wanted to know if you would like to grab a quick bite downstairs before you leave.”
    “I’m not that hungry, but I was on the way to the Pantry across the street to get a pop.”
    “A pop?” he asks, turning his head quizzically, as if I’ve just spoken some foreign jargon.
    “Sorry. A soft drink.”
    “That sounds good, is it okay if I join you?”
    “Come on. I’m buying.” I tilt my head in the opposite direction, motioning for him to follow me. We take the elevator down in silence and he follows right behind me as I lead him towards the outside of the building.
    It’s another perfect summer evening; the stars are out and there is no wind. Lucas and I sit on the lower steps of the building and share a bag of Cheetos