Page 10 of Forbidden Kisses
“She’s hot and you’ve always had a thing for her, bro,” Sam said. “That’s why you hired her. You were thinking with your—”
“Stop right there,” Jack said, hardening every muscle he had. “I hired Grace because she’s perfect for the job. I trust her.”
Sam stared at him, his expression unreadable. “She can stay, but one screw-up and she’s out. Zero tolerance.”
“All right. Well, here’s my side of that deal,” Jack said, raising his voice and matching his brother’s attitude. “You treat her like you would any other employee here. Her past stays in the past—because we all know everyone has one.” Jack knew exactly which buttons of his brother’s to push. Sam had a past, too. One that had cost him his marriage to Abby.
Sam ran a quick hand through his hair, then nodded. “Fine.”
“Great.” Jack folded his arms over his chest. “So, now you’re going to walk inside, smile, and welcome our new office manager to the company.” When they were young, there was no way Jack would have spoken to his older brother in this manner. He was just as big as Sam these days, though. A quarter inch taller if they were measuring.
Sam hesitated, then stalked back to the main building.
Grace was sitting at her desk when they walked in—where she belonged—doing her best not to look broken. Jack saw through her act, though.
Crossing the room, Sam held out his hand with what might be considered a sincere smile. “Starting over. Welcome to the Sawyer Seafood Company.”
Grace’s gaze flicked toward Jack. Her chest lifted as she inhaled and slipped her hand into Sam’s. “Thank you.”
Okay. One down, two left to break the news to.
Jack was pretty sure Noah and his dad’s reactions would be the same as Sam’s, if not worse. He’d handle it, though. He’d meant it when he’d said Grace was perfect for the job, although Sam had also been a little right. When he’d offered Grace the position, he had been thinking with his smaller brain, too—the brain that he’d gotten good at ignoring until Grace Donner had stepped back on the scene.
“See there. This is a great arrangement.” Jack stepped forward and slapped a hand across Sam’s back.
His brother arched in pain. “Easy, Jack-o. Sunburn.”
Jack grinned and winked at Grace, whose posture had relaxed. “Brotherly advice. Sunblock. Use it.”
Sam growled. “I’m going back out,” he said. “Don’t take any crap from him,” he told Grace.
She shook her head, looking appreciative that he’d pulled her in to their banter. “I won’t.”
Jack was grateful, too. He wanted this to work, even though he was bothered now about what Sam had told him. Had Grace been taking money from Dewy’s?
“You didn’t tell your family yet.” Grace turned toward him after Sam had gone.
Jack shrugged. “They told me to hire someone for the job and I did. You. They’ll warm up to the idea. I want this to work.”
Grace’s shoulders settled from their high position. “Me, too.” Her gaze flicked to the desk. “Okay. What’s next?”
Two hours later, Jack had gone over most of Grace’s job duties. “So, uh, it’s lunchtime. What do you think about heading over to The Landing for a bite to eat?”
The family’s restaurant sat on pilings over the water. Abby, who was the owner-chef, was a renowned chef who’d been in magazines likeOur StateandGood Housekeepingfor her specialty dishes.
Grace’s smile fell away at the invitation. “Oh, um…”
“I’m paying,” Jack added. “Call it part of the job orientation. Our first delivery always goes to Abby’s kitchen. In order to promote our product, you have to sample it, right?”
Grace’s lips curved. “Don’t you ever tire of eating seafood?”
“Oh yeah. That’s why there’s burgers on the menu now. Abby nearly killed me when I suggested that one, but she eventually gave in.”
Grace smiled. “Lunch sounds good. I haven’t had fresh seafood in ages, so I’m in. Let’s do it.”
Jack’s groin jumped to attention at Grace’s words.
Color flooded Grace’s cheeks.
