Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
What the hell is wrong with him?
I recall what Shelby had said. How he has a meeting with his father’s attorney.
It’s not until later, but maybe he’s just angry about having to have his whole day rearranged?
Either way, his current glare is pointed directly at me, and I am doing everything I can not to shrink under the weight of it. I’ve done nothing.
Well . . . aside from that whole sleeping with the boss thing.
Oops.
He flips around and heads back in the other direction, leaving a chill in the air in his absence.
“Something wrong?” Asher asks, looking over his shoulder.
“Everything’s fine,” I say, plastering on a fake smile. “I was trying to think about what we could do last minute for Lily.”
“She likes that mom-and-pop restaurant in Little Italy.”
I grin. “You just named most of the Italian restaurants there. Which one?”
“Oh, hell. I don’t remember. I’ll look on my computer when I get back, but I can make reservations for the three of us.” I nod, and he continues. “Let’s go on her birthday. Six work?”
“I’ll make it work.” I sigh, thinking about all the work I still have to do. “What are we getting her this year?”
It’s been a thing between the three of us for years. One wacky gift and one super sentimental. I’m typically the one who works on the wacky gift, while Asher is the sentimental one.
“I found this really pretty bracelet and necklace set through Tiffany’s. I think she’ll like it.”
I bob my head. “Perfect.”
“And, of course, we should set up a massage and facial at that spa you two love.”
“Yes. That we have to do!” I say excitedly. “Why don’t you let me book that, though, since I’ll go with her.”
He smiles widely. “My girls need pampering.”
“That we do, sir. That we do.”
He steeples his fingers. “Now for the wacky gift, what do you think?” he asks. “Edible undies? Purple bunny vibrator?”
I smack my lips together. “Why does your mind always go there? It’s a wacky gift, not a dirty gift.” I knock on his head twice with my knuckles. “Hello, Asher. Is anything up there but dirty thoughts?”
He chuckles. “No.”
It’s all he says, and I can’t help but laugh.
I check the time. “Oh, shoot. I’ve really got to get going now. I have a full day of work this afternoon.”
“Oh, yeah? Anything fun?”
I hesitate for a moment, questioning whether I should say anything. This is how the last fiasco happened.
“Never mind,” Asher says, lowering his head. “I get it.”
“I’m not going to say much other than I’m trying to hire some additional staff. I trust you, Ash, but I just think for my career, I can’t keep blabbing. Someone may get the wrong idea about both of us. I don’t want that for you.”
“Good point.”
I stand, pulling him into a hug. “I probably won’t see you before Lily’s birthday, so keep in touch.”
He squeezes me a little harder, placing a kiss on my temple. “I’m glad to have you back,” he says into my hair, and I sigh, feeling the same.
I missed him.
“Me, too.”
“Can I take you to dinner ? Just you and me. To make things up to you?”
I bite my bottom lip. “I’m not sure, Ash. Things are crazy right now.”
His face falls, and I hate it. We have hardly seen each other since I took this job, and I’m not okay with that.
“Let me check my schedule and get back to you.”
“Don’t work too hard, babe.”
Stepping back out of his grip, I grin up at him. “You know I can’t promise that.”
After a light punch to his shoulder, I head back to my desk, ready to get this day over with and get home.
After seeing the way Charles stared at me, I am not in a hurry to see him.
Which makes me sad.
Ugh. Sleeping with my boss was such a mistake.
26
Raven
My interviews are complete, and both Priscilla and Carmen have been officially offered positions.
Reagan is with Human Resources, working on his paperwork now, and I have a meeting set for the team in two weeks so they can go through training first.
It’s been a productive day, and I’m feeling good when my desk phone rings.
“Cavendish Group. This is Raven speaking.”
“Raven, it’s Shelby,” she says.
“Hey, Shelby. What’s up?”
“Mr. Cavendish would like to see you in his office. Immediately.”
And just like that, my good mood evaporates.
I’d avoided him and thoughts of us the whole second part of the day, but this was inevitable. I can’t hide forever, and I don’t want to.
I’ve never been the type of girl who’s okay with a one-night stand. I made an exception for him, but it didn’t feel right.
This may not be able to go anywhere, but I sure as hell am not gonna run away from my actions.
I square my shoulders, straighten my bright pink dress and yellow belt, and head to get this over with.