Page 17 of Studious
“Good to know.” I settle into the chair and turn on the computer. “I can’t wait to get started.”
“I’ll stop by when it’s time for lunch,” Shelby says.
I smile and tap my fingers on the keyboard. I already love this job.
* * *
I’d like to say that, when I first see him, a flurry of songbirds fly in. Or trumpets sound. Or something happens to mark the moment. But in reality, this really cute guy walks down the hallway past my office, and he catches my eye.
Cute’s the wrong word.
He’s smoking hot.
You know how there are some people you can’t take your eyes off of? Something about him draws me in, and it’s a struggle to look away. (Or act like a normal human being—not that I’m too good at doing that anyhow.)
Over the years, I’ve become quite a connoisseur of men, especially well-dressed men. Since I’m too awkward to touch them or even talk to them, I look plenty. There’s something I can’t resist about a man in a suit, and he’s wearing a nice one: dark gray, with a light blue shirt and a dark-blue-and-gray tie.
It’s a flash—eye contact—and then he’s gone, walking briskly, like a man on a mission.
I forget to breathe, and I drop my stack of Post-its on the floor.
But it wasn’t his face or his height or his clothing that made my heart pound. How can I explain attraction? This is LA. I see beautiful people every day, and I’m not attracted to all of them.
With this guy, though… After glimpsing him for a few seconds, I want to know everything about him. What’s his name, for starters, and what does his voice sound like? What does he eat for breakfast and what does he think about sci-fi and does he have any pets? Instantly, I’m back in high school and tongue-tied.
Who am I kidding? I’m twenty-four andstilltongue-tied. I wouldn’t know what to do with a man if he spun me around and planted a kiss on my lips.
Since, you know, I’ve never been kissed.
And I’m going to be working with this guy? Oh jeez. This is gonna be trouble. I’ll have to stay away so I don’t embarrass myself any more than usual.
I do a little shake and focus back on familiarizing myself with the firm’s accounting software.
When Shelby comes to collect me for lunch and we walk out to the elevators together, I try to think of a way to ask about the man without being too overt, but he saves me the trouble.
“Danny?” he calls, as we walk by Hot Guy’s office, “join us for lunch?”
I trip on a flat area of carpet but manage not to fall.
Dannyis standing and leaning over his desk, clicking something on his computer. When he looks up, those dark eyes scan us.
Help me. He’s just so yummy.
“Can’t. Sorry,” he says. His voice is rich. “I’m headed to court again this afternoon.”
Shelby smiles. “Well, you should meet our new hire, at least. Danny, this is Alden Meyer, the new bookkeeper. Alden, Danny Villaseñor, one of our partners.”
Danny leaves the mouse, straightens, and crosses the office to shake my hand. He looms over me, very imposing and very, very handsome. He smells amazing—some kind of aftershave, but it’s subtle, not overwhelming. Just, like, a clean man who’s well-groomed.
I’m lucky I don’t trip over the floor again. Or my own tongue.
He gives me a broad smile. “Nice to meet you, Alden.” I clutch his hand, then realize I’m being weird, so I release it quickly.
“S-s-same,” I stutter.
“We’ll have to do lunch some other time,” he promises. “But now I have to get ready for my next hearing.”
“Cool,” I say faintly.
