Page 43 of Forty, Flirty & F*cked

"Out!" I snort, suppressing a weary smile. "All of you. Out!"

They file away, still humming, leaving me alone with my thoughts. And my texts. And the increasingly uncomfortable realization that Connor Reeves is slowly infiltrating every facet of my bubbled world.

My phone buzzes one final time:

CONNOR: Keep the coffee mugs, by the way

CONNOR: They match your eyes

CONNOR: When they're not glaring at me

ME: My eyes don't glitter

ME: Unlike literally everything else in my office right now

CONNOR: Shame

CONNOR: Though the sequins do bring out your... professional qualities

ME: Working for you gets more and more impossible every day, I swear

CONNOR: And you like it that way

And the really impossible thing?

I think I do.

12

THE ART OF LETTING GO

CONNOR

Seattle's March rain has turned the city into a glittering mirror, streetlights reflecting off wet pavement as my town car glides through downtown's crowded streets. I adjust my bow tie for the third time, ignoring my driver-slash-chief-bodyguard’s knowing look in the rearview mirror.

"Nervous, Mr. Reeves?"

“Christoph, you’ve known me for how long now?”

“Five years, Mr. Reeves.”

“Right. Then you know I don’t get nervous.” I check my phone again. 7:58 PM. "I get... “

“Strategically focused. But of course, sir." But he's definitely smirking. "And I suppose that's why we've circled Ms. Bristol's building twice?"

I glare at him in the rearview mirror. "The investors?—"

“Like stability. And like you said, a date communicates stability.” He pulls up to the modern high-rise overlooking Lake Union, its glass facade reflecting the city lights like stars. "Though perhaps stability is not the best?—“

"That's enough commentary from the driver's seat."

"Yes, sir." He puts the car in park. “And I won’t even mention that you've adjusted that tie four times now.”

“Christoph, you seem to be fond of the idea of being fired.”

"Of course, sir. Would you like me to wait until after I've driven you home to clean out my locker?"

Before I can respond, the building's front doors open.

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