16. Hannah

SIXTEEN

Settled in my chair, I can feel Maddox staring at me.

I want to ignore him, spend the rest of lunch looking anywhere else, but I force myself to meet his gaze.

His lips part like he might say something, but I mouth the word don't.

There is literally nothing he can say or ask me in this setting that would make my current mental situation better.

He shuts his jaw, and I have one second to stress over the fact that I just silently snapped at my new boss. But then my favorite server in the world shows up, distracting everyone with food.

All the side conversations cut off as the plates are set down.

The heartache half of me isn't hungry. But the half of me that's starting to feel more angry than hurt knows that not eating will only draw attention to myself.

After unrolling my silverware, I set the napkin on my lap and pick up my wrap.

By my second bite, Brandon starts posturing and asking Maddox questions about the solar industry.

And by my fifth bite, it's obvious to everyone, except maybe Brandon, that Maddox shouldn't be underestimated. He might be an asshole, but he's no one's fool.

Maddox picks up a fry from his plate, and I realize his fancy ham and cheese sandwich is already gone.

That first time we had food together, I teased him about how fast he ate.

I let my eyes lift to his, and he shrugs a shoulder, like he's acknowledging what I'm thinking.

It's another reminder of our past, but this one doesn't spear me in the heart like his food order did. This detail just feels… familiar.

As I finish my lunch, Brandon spends the next thirty minutes interrupting our coworkers to show off his own knowledge.

I'm embarrassed on Brandon's behalf, but the interrogation gives me a chance to put everything that happened earlier out of my brain.

Maddox's expression after he placed his order and I started coughing for my life didn't look fake. I don't think he meant to send me into a spiral. He just doesn't understand. He doesn't get it.

I'm trying to do us both a favor by pretending there's no history between us. I can't think of a single reason why he wouldn't do the same.

"Did you know the first solar panel was invented in 1883?"

Maddox gives Brandon the slowest blink I've ever seen before he replies in the driest voice. "You don't say."

A small laugh tries to break free, but I clear my throat to cover it.

Maddox narrows his eyes at me, but I pretend not to notice.

It's clear these two dislike each other, even if I don't understand why. But Maddox is doing a better job of not looking like a moron.