Page 41 of From London, With Love

I now have several hundred pounds less to my name than I did on Friday. Carter’s eyes lock on mine. The heat burning in them suggests perhaps there’s one upside to my lack of funds.I’d gladly spend every penny I have if it meant he’d never stop looking at me like that.?

Woah, calm down, woman.

“Did you know?—”

“What the fuck?—”

Our questions fight for airtime as we both speak.

Taking a deep breath, I watch Carter do the same before dipping his head slightly. “You first.”

“Did you know?” I repeat, pacing the length of Carter’s desk.

Reeling. I amreeling. It’s the only accurate way to describe it.

“Lara.”

My name on his tongue stops me in my tracks. One stiletto heel almost catches in the other as I turn to face him. God, he’s so pretty it’s almost painful. I smooth my hands down my blouse to calm my thoughts.

“Well, thank god that stopped your pacing,” he says through a chuckle, and I’ll be damned if it isn’t a glorious sound. I really need to stop getting distracted by this man. By. My. Boss.

“No, I didn’t know.” Carter motions to the seat in front of his desk, which I slowly lower myself into. “I’d only been told your name was Lara. Although I’d hoped, I had no idea it would be you.”

What did he say?

“Hoped?”

The word is but a whisper but loud enough for Carter to hear. Glancing at him, I notice a slight pink tinge to his cheeks that wasn’t there a moment ago.

He clears his throat before continuing. “What I meant by that was, I . . .” Carter trails off as though he isn’t sure where his sentence was meant to end. “I’d hoped for a suitable person forthis position, and was a little wary when Anna told me the successful applicant knew my sister.”

Well, this has me pausing.I know his sister?Considering I know approximately three people in London, one of whom is Riss, who’s a little old to be Carter’s sister, I’m stumped.

“I’m sorry, who’s your sister?”

Carter gives me a funny look, sizing me up in a way I don’t quite understand.?

“Emilia Lawrence, she suggested you for the job.” The blank look on my face causes Carter to cock his head to the side.

“I’m sorry, there must have been a mix-up. I don’t know any Emilia’s.”

“Huh,” is all Carter says in response. I can almost see the cogs turning in that handsome head of his. He gives it a small shake, eyes narrowing slightly. “Anyway,” he continues, “that desk is yours. Feel free to make the space your own if you wish.” Carter motions to the smaller desk on the opposite side of the room.?

It’s not quite as decadent as his, but is still clearly worth more than any piece of furniture I’ve ever owned. In the centre of the desk sits a descriptive how-to guide alongside a list of to-do items. Picking up the latter, I let out a small chuckle at how thorough it is.

“Anna left those for you; sometimes she’s far too good at her job.”?

The level of detail and organisation Anna displayed was enough to cement that we’d be great friends. She’s a woman after my own heart.

Carter doesn’t speak again, and comfortable silence ensues. Considering I don’t have any actual executive assistant experience, I’m happy with the lack of conversation. It gives me the chance to really focus on the materials given to me.

My first day passes by relatively quickly; learning new things makes time fly. Although minimal words were spoken, I’d need at least three hands to count how many times I felt Carter’s warm gaze on me. But each time I looked over at him, he’d refocused on his computer, acting as though he’d never been looking my way.

Most of my trip home is spent trying to figure out how to tell the girls aboutthisdevelopment. They’re going to think I’ve lost my mind completely.?

Chapter 19

Lara

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