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“Happy Friday, Mr. Fowler!” I sing as I round the corner into my boss’s office.
“Happy Friday, Rowan,” he echoes, checking his watch. “You’re a few minutes early today.”
I set my bag down and shimmy out of my coat before hanging it up and pulling the tablet from its charging port.
“There wasn’t as much traffic this morning as usual,” I tell him. A lie; the drop off line at school went faster than normal, which left me a few minutes to spare. But I’m not about to tell him that. He doesn’t need to know that I’ve stepped in to play parent because the only one we have left is incapable of doing so himself.
The last thing I want is Colt Fowler’s pity.
I can feel his eyes on me as I tap through the tablet, checking his calendar for the day and catching up on emails I need to respond to for him; I mostly get his invitations, people wanting to interview him, et cetera, et cetera. All of the important ones, I forward to him.
“You have a very exciting day, Mr. Fowler,” I announce sarcastically. “Two meetings, a lunch, and a conference call.”
He lets out a soft chuckle and tells me, “Better get a cardiologist on the line, then. I’m not sure my heart can handle it.”
Smiling, I return to my tablet and tap my foot as I swipe through my own tasks for the day, things that need done around the office like faxes that need sent, copies that need to be made, and I have to plan where I’ll grab lunch and dinner orders from.
“Rowan,” Mr. Fowler says.
“Mhm?”
“Sit down.”
“Oh,” I laugh, “sorry.” I don’t miss the arch of his brow as the word comes out. He just told me yesterday to stop apologizing, but I can’t help it from slipping out.
I plop into the seat across from him and run him through the list of things that need to go out today, making sure I haven’t missed anything, before I gather up the necessary papers from his filing cabinets and stack them in my arms, making my way toward the copy room.
I pull up a chair as I wait for the machines to do their thing, checking every now and again to make sure that the ink isn’t running low in the copier. A lot of people might consider it a menial job, but I enjoy it. I like the atmosphere, I like the people I work with, and my boss is kind to me. It’s also a huge bonus that there’s almost always an excuse to sit somewhere.
Seriously, there are chairs all over the place.
Emmett passes by the door to the copy room and I catch him with a quick smile. He stops himself, grabbing onto the door frame, and pokes his head in.
“Hey,” he says. “Glad I caught you.”
“Oh?”
Stepping into the room, he replies, “Mmhmm. Wanted to know if you’re busy tomorrow.”
“Not after five,” I answer with a smile.
“Cool. Be ready for dinner by eight, then.”
With a wink, he disappears around the door once again, and I smile to myself, biting my lower lip.
We’ve had a few flirtations, and sure, we spent time together at the office party, but I didn’t think he’d actually ask me out. I figured he would have beautiful women lined up around the block for a chance to be with him; between his bone structure and what I know of his personality, the guy’s got to have a roster.
Crap, we really do have to go shopping, now.
FIVE
Rowan
Rows and rows of clothing surround Macie and I as we walk through the store, each of us trying to find a cute new outfit for our nights out tonight. Macie has a sleepover with a few of her friends, which I arranged because Emmett freaking Fowler is taking me out to dinner tonight.
I’ve only ever been on two other dates in my life, and the last one was more than two years ago, so I’m excited. He seems like a nice guy; I’d definitely like to get to know him a little better, and if I happen to finally find love in the process? All the better.
