Page 18 of A Little Moore Action
“Oh no, don’t.” I pause when his eyebrows shoot up, surprised at my outburst. I take a deep breath. “It’s just, I’m early. No need to bother the boss, I’m sure.”
The man smiles right back, oblivious to my unease. “No bother. Mr. Moore gets here early every day since he took over.” He slides my ID back, along with my new keycard, and continues his call.
I try for a smile, though I’m sure it looks more like a grimace. “That’s… great.” I slip both cards in my briefcase before grabbing my bag of bagels.
Usually, I would love to hear that my new client is reliable and hands-on. But this is different. Because usually I don’t want my clients hands-on on me.
“Good morning, Ms. King.”
Tingles spread under my skin. Stupid phone-sex voice.
I try and calm myself by taking a deep breath of the fresh-baked goods in my arms. For the first time in my life, the scent of carbs does nothing to soothe my frazzled nerves.
Figures.
Pushing my body weight onto the balls of my feet, I pivot around to face him. Clean-cut. Tailored. Expensive. Yummy.
Let’s pretend I directed that last at my bagels.
“Morning, Mr. Moore.”
“You look lovely today.”
“Thank you.” I rake my eyes over his sapphire blue suit, white shirt, and skinny black tie. The man even has a pocket square. I squint trying to make out the pattern.
He follows my eyes to his chest and tugs out his pocket square. Cats. All different breeds of cats playing with blue balls of yarn printed over white silk.
“That’s… adorable.”
He shrugs. “I’m adorable.”
You sure are.
Chase’s eyebrows shoot up. Security-man chuckles.
Damn it. I have to stop doing that.
Taking pity on me by not addressing my slip-up, Chase turns to Security-man. “How are you, Sam?”
“Just fine, sir.”
“How’s Chrissy?”
Security-man Sam lets out a long-suffering sigh. “Fine. Just started a new daycare and probably planning a coup to take it over.”
They both laugh. “That sounds like your daughter, all right,” Chase says, clapping Sam on the shoulder. He turns to the security guy behind me. “Scott, can you see that Ms. King’s belongings are sent to the conference room?”
“Sure thing, Mr. Moore.” The guy who made my key card, Scott, rounds the desk and takes the bag of bagels from me.
“You don’t have to do that.” I adjust my briefcase shoulder strap.
“It’s no problem, Ms. King.” He walks toward the back of the room, where I see a maintenance elevator.
“You wore it.” Chase’s eyes light up at the sight of my blouse. With the bagel bag out of the way, he has a better view. “I’m glad. I saw it yesterday, and it reminded me of you. I had Susan put it in the care package last minute.”
“Wait.Youput that together?” I look down at my new, beloved blouse. “The note led me to believe the package was from the staff of Moore’s.”
“Yes. Though I may own shares, I do have an office here.” A full-blown smile now. “As you know.” A shrug. “Technically, Iamstaff.”
