Chapter 4: Saz Fairweather

I stand at the threshold as the oak doors close behind me. Saz turns and walks towards a large wooden desk on the opposite side of the room. These people really love wood.

"I hope you're not afraid of heights," he chuckles.

Was that a nervous laugh? I break away from my safety zone and walk farther into the room. The entire Miami bay gleams in a morning glow, the fishing boats mere dots on the water. Aside from the massive windows and the view of the bay, the room itself is plain and holds little to the imagination.

Saz gestures to the chair in front of his desk. "Please have a seat. Would you like some water?"

"Sure." I sit down, remembering to sit tall as Saz closes his mini-fridge and plops down across from me, throwing a water bottle my way. "Nice office."

"It's nothing compared to the big boss," he smiles. "His has two mini-fridges." I stare at him blankly, and he clears his throat, sitting back in his oversized chair. "I'm guessing it was quite a shock to hear about us working together."

"Yes, it did come as a surprise since this wasn't the position I applied for."

Saz clears his throat again, "Yes, well, once I saw your credentials, I had to have you."

My eyebrows shoot up in surprise, "Have me?"

I watch as he fumbles for his words, "What I mean is, your skills would be going to waste if you were just stuck in R&D all day."

"And what kind of skills are you looking for exactly?" I ask, cocking an eyebrow. "Last time I saw you, you didn't think I had anything worth sticking around for."

"The last time I saw you, you were pressed up against me wearing a greasy apron."

My cheeks flush and I crack open the water bottle, guzzling it down. I watch as Saz fumbles with the pencil holder on his desk, his hands strong yet more nervous than I anticipated. He clears his throat again, "This isn't coming out right. Let's start over."

"I was trying to start over." I snap. "But you just had to be the big shot to swoop in and save me."

"Allie—"

"I'm sorry. Am I supposed to thank you for taking me under your wing, Mr. Fairweather? Well, I didn't slave away at school to end up being your personal assistant. I accepted the position of office clerk and that's where I expect to be placed."

"But that would be a step backward from what I'm offering you. You haven't even let me get to the part about pay."

"I don't care how much it pays. If you're not going to accept my stance, then I'm out."

I stand up and march back towards the oak doors. I hear his footsteps close behind me as I grab for the handle.

"Wait, Allie. Let me explain."

His hand encompasses mine, just the way it always has. I look back at him and snatch my hand away. "Don't touch me."

He holds up his hands in surrender and takes a step back. "I'm sorry. I—" He sighs, "I don't know why I thought this would go better."

I cross my arms over my chest. "And how exactly did you think this would go? I'd be all eager to join your little project and call it a day?"

"You don't even know what it's about."

"I don't even know what you're about."

The words hang between us in the open air. I sigh and brush them away with a sad shake of my head. "Never mind. Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Fairweather, but I think I'll take my chances as a waitress until something else comes along."

He closes the space between us in an instant, grabbing both of my hands in his. "I will not let you go back to such a degrading place."

I can't breathe. His determined eyes pierce my soul. His lips are so close that they're all I can think about. The scent of cologne is strong, like a dark rain shower. I take a step back and his hands fall, releasing mine. "I just said not to touch me."

"Sorry," he mumbles.

I massage my hands, unable to look him in the eye, "Why do you even care about what happens to me?"

"Because you're Allie Demarco and you're the only one that can work on this kind of project with me." He rubs the back of his neck, his sheepish grin making my heart do backflips. "Ever since you walked through the door, I've been a bag of nerves and very much like my younger self. Would you please give me the opportunity to convince you to stay?"

"And if I say no?"

He shrugs. "Then I'll let you walk right out of here and you'll never see or hear from me again. Like nothing ever happened."

He's not lying. He stands open, like a guy who knows he holds all the cards and is ready to put them all on the line. I can't say I don't admire his tenacity.

"What did you have in mind?"

His eyes light up. "There's a little place not too far from here. Why don't we go there tonight? My treat."

"This sounds like a date."

"It's not a date."

"Well then, why can't we go now?"

A smile breaks out across his lips. "Eager to go out with me I see." My cheeks flame and his hearty laugh echoes around us. "I'm joking. I have a busy day already scheduled, so my apologies for not whisking you away for brunch. Think of it more as an introduction to what your life will be like if you decide to stay." He extends his hand out between us, eyes full of determination. "So, what do you say?"

The idea of never having to see Saz ever again is both tempting and depressing. I stare at his hand as if a foreign object has appeared, but my curiosity gets the better of me and I firmly shake it. "I'll hear you out. But this doesn't mean I'll stay."

He lets go and nods my way, another swoon-worthy smile ready to make an appearance, "We'll see about that."

"How nice should I dress?"

"Wear whatever makes you feel beautiful."

I think back to my sad wardrobe at home and look at him, "I'll do my best."

"I'll pick you up at seven. Take the day to do some more research about Ocean Tech. About me. You'll find that I'm not the same Saz you remember."

"We'll see about that." I smile before walking back towards the double oak doors, his eyes pressed against my back as I push it open.

"See you later. Allie."

I quickly walk out of the door and down the hall, that stupid grin now back on my face. A date with Saz Fairweather. How much weirder can this day even get?