Page 24 of Strings Attached

“Coffee time,” I hear Mireille call out as I’m replying to emails.

I look up to see Mireille balancing a tray with two coffee mugs, carefully making her way into my office. Despite her best efforts, she stumbles slightly, causing the hot liquid to slosh dangerously close to the edges.

"Careful," I say, quickly standing to help her. I take the tray from her hands, setting it safely on my desk. "Are you alright?"

Mireille blushes, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm fine. Just my usual graceful self."

I can't help but smile at her self-deprecating humor. "Well, thank you for the coffee. Though perhaps next time I should come get it myself."

"Nonsense," she says with a wave of her hand. "What kind of assistant would I be if I couldn't even bring you coffee?"

"A safe one," I tease gently.

Mireille rolls her eyes, but I can see the smile tugging at her lips. "Very funny, Mr. Prescott. Now, did you need anything else? Besides protection from my clumsiness, that is."

I chuckle, shaking my head. "No, that will be all for now. Thank you, Mireille."

As she turns to leave, I find myself calling out, "Oh, and Mireille?"

She pauses at the door, looking back at me expectantly.

"Be careful out there. I'd hate to lose my best assistant to a coffee-related incident."

Mireille laughs, the sound brightening my entire office. "I'll do my best," she promises before slipping out the door.

I sit back down at my desk, sipping the coffee she brought me and smiling to myself. Who would have thought that Mireille's endearing clumsiness would become one of my favorite parts of the day?

Chapter 11

Mireille

I glanceat the clock on my desk for what feels like the hundredth time today. Only thirty more minutes until I can leave the office and meet Evander at his home. He had today off as he had some important business to attend to—apparently, so important, it wasn’t on his books—We've fallen into a comfortable routine over the past few months, so much so that I’ve practically moved in with him.

As I finish up some last-minute filing, I can't help but smile to myself. Who would have thought that my grumpy boss would turn out to be the most caring, passionate man I've ever known? Behind closed doors, Evander is affectionate and attentive in ways I never imagined.

My phone buzzes with a text from him:

Evander: I’m taking you out tonight.

My heart flutters with anticipation. Evander never fails to surprise me. He’s a born romantic, something I’d never have imagined.

I'm so lost in daydreams about what he might have planned that I don't notice Lilian approaching until she's right in front of my desk.

"Earth to Miri!" she says with a laugh. "Where'd you go just now? Thinking about a certain handsome boss of yours?"

I feel my cheeks flush. Lilian is the only one who knows about Evander and me. As my friend, she pried it out of me after noticing how happy I've been lately.

"Maybe," I admit with a sheepish grin. "He says he’s taking me out for dinner tonight."

Lilian's eyes light up. "Ooh, how exciting! Any guesses where you might be going?"

I shake my head, trying to play it cool even as butterflies dance in my stomach. "No idea. You know how Evander is— he likes to surprise me."

"Well, whatever it is, I want all the juicy details tomorrow," Lilian says with a wink. "Now get out of here—your Prince Charming awaits!"

I laugh, gathering my things. "He's hardly Prince Charming. More like a grumpy bear who occasionally remembers how to smile."

"A grumpy bear you're head over heels for," Lilian teases.

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