Page 69 of Dating the Boss
“Unfortunately.” His mouth formed into a grim line. “Rumors would start to circulate if we showed up at the office together.”
“It’s all good,” I said, keeping a light tone despite the weird ache in my chest. I didn’t want to keep him a secret for forever, but we had to. At least for now. “Lead the way.”
Since I was parked behind him, I backed out of the driveway first and then followed him down the street. The sun peeked over the Blue Harbor skyline, a promising start to my birthday. Sunny days were so rare. It felt like a good omen.
About ten minutes later, Daniel turned into the office parking lot with me close behind him. As vice president, he had a reserved parking spot up front, so I had to park wherever was available. Which, sadly, meant I had to park at the very back of the lot.
Daniel stood outside the building waiting on me when I finally made my way there.
“That’s not suspicious at all,” I teased him.
“I was getting some fresh air before going inside,” he responded in a dismissive tone. “I wasn’t waiting on you.”
“Uh-huh.”
I fought the urge to take his hand as we walked down the hall and stepped onto the elevator. His jaw was tight and his hand fisted at his side as we waited on the elevator doors to open. Was he fighting the same urge?
“Happy Birthday!” Jennifer exclaimed as the doors opened to the third floor and I stepped out into the hall.
“You got me a balloon?” I smiled as I took it from her.
“A balloon with chocolate and a gift card to your favorite coffee place attached,” she said, tapping the heart shaped box. “Sorry for the heart by the way. Valentine’s Day stuff is everywhere, and it’s all I could find.”
“Thanks, Jen.” I hugged her.
“Excuse me,” Daniel said, his hand brushing my side as he passed us to head for his office.
“Did that old grump even tell you Happy Birthday?” Jennifer asked, staring after him. “Or did he forget?”
“He told me earlier,” I said, forcing myself to stop thinking about the morning hummer between the sheets. If I popped a boner at work, I’d have to quit. There’d be no way I could show my face again after that. “Thanks again for the gifts. That was really sweet.”
“Just like you, darlin’,” she said with a smile. “I have to get to work now. We have a status meeting in five minutes.”
“Have fun.”
“Oh, it’ll be a blast, I’m sure.” She sighed before walking that way.
I held the box of chocolates to my chest and smiled as I went to my desk, the balloon bobbing in the air behind me. Right as I sat down, I got a text from Quinn wishing me a happy birthday. I thanked him, and he responded.
Quinn:We still on for tonight? I thought I’d cook you dinner.
Me:Sounds great! I’m not sure if he will or not yet… but can Daniel come too?
Quinn:Of course. I can’t wait to properly meet him.
Hours passed as I created sales graphs in Excel, worked on the monthly budget, put together a PowerPoint presentation showing the advantages of using our company, and made travel plans for Daniel with a client that afternoon. The client had just opened a new bakery along the harbor and was struggling getting word out, so he wanted our company to help take his business to the next level.
Around lunch, a pretty woman came into my work area, holding a vase of a dozen red roses.
“Delivery for Reed Nolan?”
“That’s me,” I said, surprised.
“Here you go,” she said, handing me the vase before walking away.
I placed it on my desk and leaned forward to smell the roses, loving the feel of the soft petals on my nose and lips. Spotting a card tucked inside, I grabbed it and unfolded it.
I wasn’t sure of your favorite flower, but since you’re such a romantic, I felt these were perfect. Happy Birthday to the one who’s stolen my heart.
