Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 51530 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 258(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51530 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 258(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
“No!” I practically shout into the phone, not wanting her to hang up. “I can talk now. What’s up? What do you want to talk about?”
She sighs. “I just wanted to apologize for today….”
Her voice trails off, and I feel like I have been hit in the gut. “Apologize for what exactly?”
She laughs uncomfortably. “You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you? Okay, well, I know I sort of said so earlier, but I feel it’s worth mentioning again. I’m sorry for the kiss. I really thought I was helping, but I shouldn’t have pawed you at your son’s soccer game.”
“You didn’t paw.”
She laughs. “I beg to differ. I definitely didn’t act professionally. Anyway, I wanted to apologize—again—and let you know that it wouldn’t happen again. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable around me. I promise from this point forward, I’m keeping my hands—and my mouth—to myself.”
My mouth falls open. It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her that she can kiss or touch me any time she wants, but obviously today made her uncomfortable. I don’t want to pressure her and make her want to leave or quit. I clear my throat. “There’s nothing you can do to make me uncomfortable. Don’t worry about it. You and I are good, Lilian.”
She lets out a breath of relief. “Really? I was worried you were going to fire me first thing in the morning.”
“What?” I ask incredulously. “There’s nothing you can do that would make me fire you. I can’t make it without you. I know that.”
Her voice goes all soft again. “Okay, good to know, boss.”
When she calls me boss, it feels like she’s putting us back on our professional footing. It’s disappointing to me, but at least she’s not quitting or anything. Because I wasn’t lying to her; I couldn’t make it without her.
“So I need to get Ollie into bed. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Yeah, I’ll see you in the morning. Please tell Ollie I’m excited about the cupcakes. Good night, Ford.”
The sound of my name on her lips has me wishing she was here with me. “Night, Lilian.”
I grip my phone in my hand and bang it into my other palm. Now that I've hung up, there’s a thousand questions going through my head. The only calming thought I have is the fact that I’m going to see her in the morning.
Lilian
When I walk into the office the next morning, I’m more tense than usual. I know that Ford said everything is okay, but I haven’t been able to get that kiss off my mind. I no sooner get to my desk and Lucas, Ford’s brother, comes to stand in front of me.
“I have someone coming in for an interview this morning. Hopefully we can get some help in here so you’re not stretched so thin.”
I shrug my shoulders. “Honestly, it’s not bad at all. I’ll help as long as you need me.”
He laughs. “I’m glad you feel that way, but it’s probably better if we get someone hired. I don’t think my brother likes sharing you.”
My eyes widen. I know what he meant by it, but after that kiss yesterday, my mind goes somewhere else. “Right. Well, I’ll be happy to sit in and go over the details of the job with her.”
“Good, good. Thanks, Lilian. Let me know when she gets here.”
I nod and set my bag and purse down at my desk. I go about unpacking things. Every time I hear the elevator ding or a door open, I’m on edge wondering if Ford’s coming and if it’s going to be weird between us.
Once I have everything unpacked and put away, I barely get seated and a woman comes around the corner. “Hello. Can I help you?”
She smiles. “Yes, I’m Brandi Jones, and I’m here for an interview with Lucas Blaze.”
I come around the desk. “Great. Hi, Brandi, I’m Lilian Steele. I’ll be sitting in on the interview.”
We shake hands, and I swear her smile drops a little. I try not to read anything into it and lean over my desk to intercom into Lucas’ office. “Lucas, Ms. Jones is here for the interview.”
“Great, I’ll be right out.”
I barely get the phone down before Lucas’ office door opens and he comes striding down the hallway. I am about to introduce them when my phone rings, and I answer it. “Blaze Whiskey, this is Lilian.”
“Lilian, hey, this is Isabella. Two things. We need to do lunch sometime soon, and I’m sorry to call your line, but Lucas left his phone on the counter here. Can I speak to him for a minute?”
“I would love to get together. We can schedule it after we get another assistant hired. And Lucas is standing right here. Hold on just a second.”
I hold the phone in my hand and wait for Lucas and Ms. Jones to finish their introductions before interrupting. “Lucas, Issi’s on the phone. Seems you left yours on the counter at home.”