Chapter 32 Hiring

Chapter 32 Hiring
Tate

“Hey,” A voice snapped me out of my thoughts and I looked up to see Mike towering over me. I managed a small smile at him.

“Hey,” I mumbled and shifted so he could sit next to me - which he did by the way. He dropped his bag on the floor and turned to me. I pressed my lips together.

“Okay, I owe you an apology,” I muttered and rubbed my eyes. I’d barely gotten enough sleep last night when I returned to the Sinclair’s. It was a good thing I didn’t run into Kade either.

Actually, I think he’s avoiding me —especially after the game. I didn’t see him this morning either which was weird. I was usually among the first to wake up and Kade goes for a morning run by 6am.

It’s either he already left or he locked himself up in his room and honestly…I kind of cared. He was human too and putting up that tough facade was getting him nowhere.

He needed help. And I wasn’t sure that was something he’d easily agree to. Not him.

Never.

“I’m sorry for walking out on you the other day,” I sighed. “I didn’t mean to.”

He gave a small nod and I couldn’t help but notice there was a change in his hairstyle. Whereas, it has always been a slick back, today was different.

His hair was ruffled —a good kind of ruffle and it honestly looks good on him.

“It's okay. You said it was a work emergency,” He pointed out and I nodded.

“It really was a work emergency.”

He gave a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “We could always go out some other time,” he said and I paused.

I raised a brow.

“Are you subtly asking me out on dates, Mike?” I asked and he pressed his lips together, the tip of his nose turning red. It was happening again, wasn’t it?

“Now, it isn’t so subtle anymore,” he mumbled and I laughed. I let out an honest to God laugh and it had my colleagues staring at me like I’d gone mad.

Good thing, the professor wasn’t in class yet.

My eyes felt watery by the time I stopped cracking. I looked at Mike who very much looked like he wanted to disappear.

I immediately felt bad.

“Hey, I didn’t mean to mock you. I…” I trailed off and let out a breath, clearing my throat. God, it’s been a long time since I laughed like that.

“I just found it funny. It has nothing to do with you,” I assured him and he met my gaze.

“So, is it a yes? I mean, you now know I’m asking you out on a date. Would you go out with me?”

My shoulders dropped. I liked Mike but not in the way he thought I did. And moreover, I wasn’t ready for a relationship right now.

Not when I was busy with everything. I wouldn’t be able to make time for no one and I hate that I won’t be able to do that. So, no. Nothing was okay.

I sighed and tucked my hair behind my ear, dropping my gaze.

“Look,” I started, carefully picking my words. “I would really love to go out with you, Mike. But, I’m really busy and…”

“We can pick a day you won’t be busy,” he chirped in and it made my chest tighten.

I bit my bottom lip. This was the time to come clean.

“I work as a live-in nanny, Mike.” I watched him closely, waiting for a reaction but there was nothing. “For the Sinclairs.” I finished and his brows drew together.

“Sinclair?” he asked and I nodded. Yup, it was definitely who you think it was.

“As in Kade Sinclair?”

I pursed my lips. “Not exactly Kade Sinclair… but his family,” Considering I owe him ten grand and is a PA to him - yeah, Kade Sinclair.

“...which he’s a part of.” I added awkwardly and cleared my throat, sitting up straighter. “The point is, I’m barely free to go out on dates and besides I’m also dealing with a ton of shit I don’t want to drag anyone into.”

“I’d understand.” he pressed further and I stared at him. Seriously?

“I can’t put anyone through that, Mike.”

He arched his brow.

“I’m not asking you to be my girlfriend, Tate.” he gave a small chuckle. “It’s just a date and I understand if you won’t be free, but like I said, I could wait till whenever you are,”

I pressed my lips together and looked away. Oops, it was my turn to wish the earth would suddenly open and swallow me up.

Jesus Christ.

“Yeah,” My voice came out croak, thick with embarrassment. Oh God, I really shouldn’t have come to school today.

I scratched the side of my neck and cleared my throat.

“Hey, you know any place on campus that’s searching for workers?” I asked, in a desperate attempt to change the topic.

“You’re looking for a job?” he asked.

Guess, it worked.

“Not for me exactly. My sister’s kind of around and she needs a job, so I was looking at finding one closer to my house for her.” I said and he hummed.

“Actually, we’re hiring.” he said and I stared at him.

“No way,” I mumbled. He gave me a look that said he was in fact hiring.

I clasped my hands together.

“That’s awesome. Can I come with her sometime later?” I asked and he nodded, just when the professor walked in. Late, as usual.

“You can drop by this evening. If she gets the job, she could resume tomorrow,” his voice was toned down a little and I ‘oh-ed’.

“What will she be doing?” I asked because I was curious. His cafe was really a small place and he had a couple of workers already, I didn’t figure he needed more workers.

“Serves coffee,” He said and my brows jumped farther into my hairline.

“And James?”

“He’ll be fine,” he brushed me off. “The man’s old anyway, gotta rest that back,” he said, flashing me a smile and then looking away.

I did too. Because shit was weird and inasmuch as he thought he was smooth, he wasn’t.

I could smell it from a mile away.

He didn’t need any staff. He was just doing this because I mentioned it and because he was interested in me.

I wasn’t a dummy, but sure… we could all pretend.

That was totally fine…by me. Perfect, even.