Page 30 of Stolen Kisses

He took out his phone, showing me the screen. To my astonishment, he’d made a list with possible solutions.

He'd given this so much thought. I was certain he had a million other things to do than be concerned with this.

I scooted closer to him, unconsciously, and then I got a whiff of his cologne. My entire body reacted to him. I instantly remembered how it felt to have his lips on mine. I crossed my arms over my chest to keep from shuddering.

“The last point is about some grants the local council is giving,” he said.

“Could you email me the link?” I asked. I’d already looked at them and the inn wasn’t eligible, but it didn’t hurt to double check.

“Sure.”

I scooted back from him because I swear to God, I could get drunk on his smell alone. The fire crackled between us. Somehow, he seemed even sexier here than at the wedding.

“I do have a plan, though," I told him. "I looked at jobs today.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I want to close this place for a while. I’ll only have to pay property tax and insurance. I’ll save as much as possible, and I estimate that in about a year, I can start renovations.”

"Josh told me this place means a lot to you."

"It does. Being here makes me feel closer to my grandmother. I know it sounds silly," I said quickly because he was completely silent, probably thinking I was a lunatic.

“No, it doesn't. I just haven't heard someone speak with so much passion before.”

Don’t get closer to him, Hannah. You'll lose your wits again, and who knows what can happen? One kiss was enough. He's Josh's best friend and not into relationships. He's not for you.

"What kind of jobs are you applying for?" he asked.

“A stockbroker, of course. I haven’t been out of the loop for that long, and I was very good at it. Plus, I enjoy it.”

“Then why did you leave?”

“Because I love the inn. I like finance, but I feel like it’s not what I’m meant to do, you know?”

The grin he gave me wasenormous. It took up his whole face.

He managed to tone it down enough to talk. "Funny, I happen to own one of the largest brokerage and finance companies in the country. What a coincidence, right?"

My heart rate accelerated. "That's right. You do. I didn't even think about it."

"Lucky I came by with marshmallows, then."

"Lucky why?"

"Listen, Hannah, we're always looking for talented brokers.”

I raised a brow. "How do you know I'm talented?"

"One of the first things Josh told me about you was that he was impressed by you at that finance conference where you met.”

I’d made a few contacts there. I could inquire about jobs with them too. Four months ago, I was starting to doubt that this would work, hence why I’d gone to the conference.

“And I saw you in action this weekend. You’re thorough, determined, and can work under pressure. That’s an asset in every job."

Oh my God. Maybe this truly is a sign that things will turn around. Today, I was thinking about getting back into finance, and now he's offering me a job.

"Chase... I don't want you to offer me a job out of pity."

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