Page 76 of Stolen Kisses

"I'll deal with him."

"What about the office?" she asked.

"Ideally, I'd like to shout it from the rooftops. How does that sound to you?"

She smiled sheepishly. Fuck, it was cute. She had a dimple, and she looked adorable.

"I think some people are bound to gossip, but I never really cared much about that, and I don't like the idea of sneaking around."

I wiggled my eyebrows. "That's right. If everyone knows, then I can ask you to my office for lunch and close the door. Then lock it and throw the key out the window."

She gasped, taking a step back. "Chase, no, you can't. Absolutely not. And you also can't come to Magda’s office anymore. It's going to be super obvious."

"You can’t tell me what to do, Hannah."

"But I'm going to damn well try."

I laughed. "Yeah, you will. I know you will. So, let’s not keep it a secret, but also don’t flaunt it, if that makes sense."

“It does.”

She smiled from ear to ear. I liked seeing her like this. I wanted to make her happy even though she was going through a shit time with the inn.

"Right. I’m starving, and I vote for us to grab something to eat. Otherwise, I'm going to become really unreasonable really fast."

"We wouldn't want that," I said.

"So, where is that famous pancake place?"

"According to my phone, a few minutes away." I put an arm around her waist, kissing her temple before I ushered her forward. I couldn't be this close to her and not reach out. I wanted her flush against me.

"The park is so great," she murmured, glancing around. "I don't think I've been in this part of it."

"I haven't been here in years," I confessed.

She jerked her head back. "Really? But it's not far from the office."

"I know, but it's not something I typically do."

"Hmm. You suggested coming here awfully fast."

Because you like pancakes, Hannah. It’s only for you.

"What can I say? You inspire me."

She grinned. "I'm your inspiration? I like that."

"I usually just eat at my desk. I ask the catering company to send the food directly to me."

"You don't even go to a break room to eat?"

"No. Too many people."

She snorted. "Got it. Wouldn't want to engage with people, would you? Who knows what might happen?”

“I like to talk with you. Now, if you change your mind about eating lunch in my office—”

"No." She elbowed me lightly. "Don’t start that conversation again."

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