Chapter 14

Cassian noticed that there was something different about Seraphina Voss the moment she walked into the room.

"That's new," he said.

Seraphina set her folder down at her usual seat. "What is?"

"The blazer." He tilted his head slightly, studying her with open curiosity. "Burgundy. Bold for a Tuesday."

"I own more than one color, Mr. Devereaux."

"Could have fooled me. I've catalogued at least four black jackets and one very aggressive navy in the weeks I've known you."

"You've catalogued my wardrobe."

"I notice things." He leaned back in his chair, entirely too pleased with himself. "It's a useful habit.."

“Maybe you should turn that habit towards. Not blazers.”

"I contain multitudes."

Seraphina fought the smile threatening to show itself before she reached for her folder and pretended to be occupied with the agenda instead. "Are we discussing the quarterly integration report, or my closet?"

"Can it not be both?"

"No."

"Shame. The closet conversation was more interesting." He opened his own folder. "For what it's worth, I approve."

"I don’t remember asking for your approval Mr Devereaux.”

"You rarely ask for anything. You simply take it and dare people to object." His voice conveyed warmth. "It suits you. The color, I mean. You should wear it more often."

"Careful, Mr. Devereaux. That's dangerously close to a personal comment."

"I'm capable of those. Occasionally."

“I hadn’t noticed.”

“Now you’re just being cruel.”

She laughed, and Cassian smiled.

“You laugh when you’re annoyed.”

“I laugh when people say ridiculous things.”

“So you admit I’m funny.”

“I admit you’re something.”

“I’ll take that.”

She shook her head and looked back at the report.

They worked through the actual agenda after that, integration timelines, a scheduling conflict between their legal team but every few minutes, without any clear pattern to it, Seraphina caught him glancing at her again.

"You're doing it again," she said, halfway through a discussion about vendor contracts.

"Doing what?"

"Staring."

"I told you. I notice things." He didn't look away this time. "You wear color well. I'm allowed to observe that."

"You're allowed to observe the vendor contracts. That's what this meeting is for."

"The vendor contracts are significantly less interesting than you are, Ms. Voss."

"That's an unprofessional thing to say to a business partner."

"Probably." He didn't sound remotely sorry about it. "You could report me to my own legal team. I hear they're very responsive."

"I've already had one run-in with your legal team. I'd rather not make it a habit."

"Then I suppose you'll just have to put up with the staring."

"I suppose I will."

The meeting wound down not long after, papers gathered, the usual closing pleasantries exchanged, and Seraphina stood to leave.

Cassian caught the door before she reached it, holding it open, close enough that she had to glance up to meet his eyes. “After you.”

She paused beside him.

“Such manners.”

“I have them occasionally.”

“I’ll remember that.”

“You should.” and then he added "The burgundy. Definitely more often."

"I'll take it under advisement, Mr. Devereaux."

"Consider it professional advice”

She rolled her eyes walked past him into the hallway, aware of exactly how long his gaze followed her.