Page 76 of Runaway Bride's Guide to Love

Simon dramatically gasps. “I would never.”

I narrow my eyes. “Yes, you would. It’ll be freshman year business management all over again.”

“Hey, we both got A’s in that class.” Simon points to rooms to the side. “I set up two small meeting rooms, so that way if we need to bring clients in we have some private space. Plus, there’s a lounge area in the back that will also serve as the space my daughter sleeps in when I have to bring her to the office.”

“Smart.”

“Why, thank you. I know it’s not a big-time firm like you were at in Nashville, but it’ll do the trick.”

I give his back a pat. “It more than does the trick. It’s perfect for us.”

I take one more look around and can’t help but feel excited. He’s right, it might not be big and lavish like my old firm. But the look and design feels as high-end as it comes. Glass walls for the offices and meeting rooms. Expensive desks. Hardwood floors. Modern and sleek lighting fixtures. He spared no expense. “I’m guessing you called in Maeve to decorate?”

“Was my first phone call,” he says. “What’s the good of having an interior decorator sister if you aren’t going to use her for her services?”

Simon chose to use the word “use,” but it’s not what he meant. Most people would use family members for free services, especially if they are as sought after in their field as Maeve is. But not Simon. If I had to guess, he paid double her normal rate because that’s the kind of guy he is. He might talk a big game, but at the end of the day, he’s one of the best men I know.

“This is great,” I say. “Did you hire anyone for the front desk yet?”

At that moment the front door swings open and I’m frozen. I feel the color leaving my face and my stomach dropping to the floor.

“Stella?”

“Oh! I forgot to tell you!” Simon says as he walks over to where Stella is standing at the doorway, holding a cardboard box. “I’m bringing Stella on to help us get going.”

Excuse me…what did he say?

“You’re what?”

I try to keep the shock and panic out of my voice, but I don’t think I did.

“It actually worked out perfectly,” Simon says, not realizing that Stella and I haven’t taken our eyes off each other since she walked in the door. “She had to leave her job at the law firm. It was best for everyone involved. So she needed a job. I had a job to give her. What better way to get this place up and running than with a woman who has run the office of one of the best law firms in Nashville?”

Neither of us say anything. Neither of us move. I figured I’d see Stella again at some point. Birthday parties for Lainey. Random get-togethers. Maybe she’d swing through Rolling Hills at some point while I was here.

But never in a million years did I expect to see her so soon.

Or looking so beautiful.

Or in the same room as her brother.

“What’s the problem?” Simon asks as the silence becomes deafeningly noticeable.

I let out a cough before speaking. “No problem. Just…surprised.”

“Yeah! Surprised!” Stella says a little too enthusiastically.

“Good,” Simon says. “I was nervous for a moment. The staring was weird. Almost like you were seeing a ghost. Or even more ridiculous, that you saw each other naked.”

Oh Simon…if you only knew.

guide to love rule #97

Check the employee handbook on rules about your boss giving you toe-curling orgasms before you knew he was going to be your boss.

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