“If it’s no trouble, that would be amazing,” I said. Caffeine in any form including a solid would be more than welcome at the moment.

“No trouble,” Nyah said. “It gives me an excuse to get one for myself. Should I bring them to your office?”

“Yes, thanks,” I said. I glanced back at Lexi. “I’m going to have Soph and Miguel, the owners of Vasquez Squared, pop in to meet you while we figure out our initial timetable.”

“Sounds good,” she said.

“Whoa, who’s this?” a voice asked from behind me. I didn’t have to turn around to know it was Carson.

I also didn’t have to acknowledge him, especially after his intimidation tactics in the elevator. “Come on, Lexi. I know your time is valuable, let’s get to it.”

“Hey, how about an introduction?” Carson called after us.

I ignored him. I walked through the lobby with Lexi at my side, casting me furtive glances. We pushed through the meeting room and cut into the main work area. There were several people in the room. I smiled at Christian and Shanna, but I could feel Carson behind us, closing in. I didn’t want to have to introduce him to Lexi. I’d spare her that if I could.

“Ms. Creative Director, I’m talking to you.” Carson raised his voice as he entered the room after us. I felt the gaze of everyone in the room swing from Carson to me and back. He managed to say my job title with just the right amount of contempt to make me grit my teeth.

“Everything cool, Annabelle?” Lexi asked in a low voice.

“Yup, everything’s fine,” I lied. I was still rattled by my time in the elevator with Carson, and I was trying to rally but he was not making it easy. I pointed down the hall. “My office is this way.”

We passed both Soph’s and Miguel’s offices. The lights were on and their doors were open, signaling that they were here. This would make things much easier. In fact, I decided to slow down just outside their offices and let Carson catch up. Naturally, he decided to shoot past me and then stopped, turning around and blocking my access to my office. Predictable.

He crossed his arms over his chest and stared at Lexi, then he turned to me. “No introduction? I thought a Boston girl would have better manners than that.”

I stared at him.

“What? It’s just a joke,” he said. He made an exasperated face. “You need to lighten up, Annabelle.”

I did not take the bait. This would have been a fine moment to ask him if his calling me a bitch in the elevator had been a joke, too, but I knew better and I didn’t go there. Shocking, I know.