Page 33 of The Fix Up

He glanced at his watch again. Two minutes until she was due to arrive.

“Dude!”

Ben looked up to see Parker standing in the doorway shaking his head. His best friend wore athletic shorts, a T-shirt from their boxing gym, and a look of intense annoyance.

“You stood us up again.” Parker ambled forward and dropped into the seat Ben had hoped to see cupping Holly’s firm backside in mere seconds.

“Shit, I’m sorry,” Ben said. “I’m working around the clock on this new deal and?—”

“And becoming your dad with every passing day. Nice suit.”

Ben sighed. “I’m sorry. Seriously, I’d love nothing more than to hit the gym with you guys, but this job is important.”

“You’re aware the rest of us have jobs, too, right? Some of our titles even include words like ‘president’ and ‘chief executive.’”

“You’re clearly a better man than I am.”

Parker shook his head. “Wow, the stress is really getting to you. Did your dad have your sense of humor surgically removed before he granted you a key to the building?”

“Sorry.” Ben raked his hands through his hair. “It’s just—this is my shot, you know? To take the company in a new direction and make up for some of the shit my dad pulled when my mom was still alive.”

“That’s an awful lot of weight to put on your shoulders.”

Ben shrugged. “It is what it is.”

“Fine. We’ll cut you some slack for now, but if you start growing ear hair and slapping people on the back like your dad, we’re hosting an intervention.” Parker grinned. “It’ll be like that time in college when you wanted to go to that insect convention and we had to kidnap you so you’d come with us for spring break in Cancun.”

“And I missed out on seeing a rare Dryococelus Australis.”

“Yeah, but the margaritas were outstanding.”

“I did have a good time,” Ben admitted, glancing at his watch again. “Speaking of time, I have an important meeting starting any second now.”

As if on cue, the intercom buzzed on his desk. “Holly Colvin is here to see you?”

Parker raised an eyebrow, and Ben tried to ignore him. “Thanks, Carol,” he said. “You can send her in.”

He looked at Parker, who was shooting him a knowing grin. “What?” Ben asked. “My meeting happens to be with a woman.”

“Who happens to make you grin like you just won a gift certificate from the blowjob-of-the-month club.”

“Very nice. You can go now.”

Parker stood up just as Holly strode through the door looking flushed and beautiful in a slim skirt with a crisp green blouse that looked like it would be silky to touch.

Stop thinking about touching her.

Ben stood up and stepped around his desk to greet her. “Holly,” he said, extending his hand. He realized belatedly that offering a handshake to a woman he’d seen naked thirty-six hours ago was the most socially awkward greeting he could have managed, but she met him with a firm grip and a smile.

“Ben. Good to see you again.” Her gaze drifted to Parker, and Ben realized he should probably introduce his oldest pal instead of standing there like an idiot.

“This is Parker,” he offered. “He was just leaving.”

“No I wasn’t,” Parker said, extending a hand to Holly. “You’ll have to excuse my friend. He’s completely devoid of charm and social skill.”

“Which is precisely why Holly’s here,” Ben said. “That’s top secret, by the way. You say a word to my dad and I’ll beat you to death with my paperweight.”

Parker smiled at Holly with renewed interest. “You’re his life coach?”

---