Page 31 of Under the Mistletoe
The waiter stalls, and my grin widens. I don’t remember the last time one of my dates ordered a bowl of pasta. But I love it.
“Good choice,” I tell her as the waiter leaves us to it.
“I told you I was starving. I just hope it’s more than a small dollop on a big white plate…” She grins at me, already knowing the answer to that, and I mentally note to put in a request to the chef next time we come. Because I want there to be a next time.
“You need to eat lunch.” I’m concerned she isn’t looking after herself and worried she works too hard.
“Do you monitor all your staff’s lunch habits?” Her grin wraps around her wineglass as she takes a sip.
“Only the five-star employees.” I grin back at her teasing.
“Hmmm, five star… Glad to know I’m one of your best workers, Mr. York.” Her eyes dance in delight, and I bite the inside of my cheek so I don’t smile like a dickhead.
“Not one of…” I make my position very clear. She’s leaps and bounds ahead of anyone else. Both in the office and out of it.
“It must be all those coffee beans…” Her eyes thin, her grin still brightening her face.
“Well, they do help keep me awake. Thank you for filling my bowl earlier.”
“I saw that you enjoy them. I can’t say I’ve ever really met someone who eats caffeine as a snack before…” Her eyebrows rise.
“What is your vice, Miss Johnson?”
“You mean, aside from pasta?” She chuckles, and I nod.
“You must have something? Something you love to the point of it being almost a weakness?” I push, wondering what it could be that would have her aching for something so much she has to have it.
“Hmmmm, probably vintage fashion from Mabel.”
I’m immediately intrigued. “Mabel?”
“A beautiful friend of mine who owns a thrift store. I see her every week, and I love walking into her store. Kind of feels like home.”
“Thrift store?”
“Yeah, she has owned it for years, but something is going on with her.” A sudden frown has her brow pinching.
“Is she alright?” I have no idea who this Mabel is, but I see the distress it causes Jessica.
“I think so. It’s nothing. I’m sure she will figure it out.” She shakes her head and takes another sip of wine, so I drop it.
“So, you’ve been glued to your office and your screen most of the week?” I get our conversation onto work, for no other reason but to get my head back in the game. This isn’t a date. I need to keep reminding myself of that fact.
“Yeah… I have a few things on my mind, so I bury myself in work when that happens.” She offers me a small smile, but her answer has my interest even more piqued.
“What’s on your mind?” I sip my wine and watch her, waiting.
She takes in a deep breath. “Well… the office gossip has started.”
My chest tightens, feeling the change in her posture. Before I think, my hand shoots out and lands on top of hers. Her eyes flick up and lock on mine before she silently turns her hand and our fingers entwine. Our grasp is hidden by the wine bottle, the low flicker of the candle helping to keep our connection from the tables nearby.
“Office gossip?” I’m not immune to the chatter in the office, but I do tune it out mostly.
“People are talking. Thinking I got the promotion because of…”
Assholes. Every last one of them.
“Well, you know the truth.” I rub my thumb against her skin, offering my silent support. I shouldn’t be touching her. Hell, I shouldn’t even have brought her here. We should’ve both gone straight home. But I didn’t want to. Plain and simple, I wanted more time with her.
