I did prefer working from home, but for some reason…You know the reason.I ignored that voice. I was simply being more friendly meeting my new neighbors. That was all. It had nothing to do with six foot six inches of broad, handsome, and somewhat grumpy alpha.
That was my story, and I was sticking to it.
I refused to focus on how attentive Gabe had been at lunch. How I’d told him things I hadn’t admitted to anyone else—not even to Rhys.
How I wanted to just rest against that broad chest and have those muscular arms hold me tight and never let go.
None of that matters, Kian. You’re here to do a job, not ogle your new boss. Not to mention he’syour best friend’s brother.
I still wasn’t sure which part worried me more. The fact that Gabe was my boss or the fact he was Rhys’s brother.Rhys, who’s your only friend in the world. Your support system when you need him. Basically, all the family you have left.
It wasn’t like I planned to do anything…and even if I did, it really did not matter. It wasn’t like anything would happen.He probably doesn’t even think of you like that.But there were times when I’d thought maybe I’d caught a look when Gabe suddenly showed up at Rhys’s for dinner.
Maybe he spends time at his brother’s house. It could have absolutely nothing to do with you.
I growled, covering my face with my hands. This wasn’t doing me any good. I’d done a job. I would present it like the professional I was.
And you will not think about what Gabe looks like under that perfectly tailored shirt and slacks. You most definitely will not think about rubbing up on all those muscles.
I was so screwed.Yeah, and all banging your forehead on the table is doing is giving you a headache.
The door to my office opened. “How did I know you would be in here spinning out?” I felt Rhys stand beside me, but I didn’t look up.
“What if he hates it, and I have to find another job?” I whispered. My heart raced at the thought of having to leave Asheville. It was only ten days since I’d gotten here, but the thought of having to go back to Philadelphia held no appeal. Or worse yet, somewhere I’d never been with people I didn’t know.
Rhys rubbed his hands up and down my back. “He won’t. Besides, these are just early sketches to see what you have in mind. It may take a few tries to get it perfect, but it doesn’t even matter. This is your home.” My friend’s voice was firm.
And my heartbeat slowed gradually. Maybe that was what I’d needed to hear. I knew Rhys was my friend, but this was still a business. If I fucked up, I would be fired, and I couldn’t just stay in town and mooch off him.
Rhys clucked his tongue. “There you go again, worrying.”
“How do you know?” I sighed. “Maybe it’s too soon. Why didn’t you stop me from setting this meeting? You should have looked at the sketches when I tried showing them to you.”
My heart was racing again, and it took everything I had not to bring up the coffee I’d had this morning. I’d known better than to eat breakfast.
The last thing I needed was a Mia Thermopolis moment fromPrincess Diaries. Puking on my boss—and crush. I ignored that helpful addition; clearly, my brain didn’t know what priorities were.
“First of all,” Rhys began, still rubbing my back gently, “if you need more days, take them. I’ll cancel the meeting. I’ll be honest and say I thought you would take some time off before jumping into work, but Papa said maybe this was your way of dealing.”
I grunted. It was as close to a yes as I could get right now. Work was a distraction. I knew if I let myself, the grief would pull me under, and that wasn’t what Papa had wanted for me. He’d said I should be happy and find someone that made me smile every single day just by being them. He said he was going to be with Daddy now. And as much as I hated to admit it, there was a little relief in there. Not because he was gone, but because he wasn’t in pain anymore. Seeing how gaunt my papa, who’d been full of life, had gotten… I swallowed down a sob.
“You know what, maybe we should reschedule. Your heart sounds like it’s about to hop out of your chest.” Rhys sounded concerned. “Breath, Kee. Everything will be fine, and to answer your question from earlier, I know how talented you are, and I didn’t want there to be any doubt. I know I’ll be blown away when I see it, and I don’t need to see it beforehand to practice a reaction. But again, if you’re not ready…”
I growled loudly and sat up. “I’m ready.” I nodded. “Yeah. Yeah, I can do this.”
“Of course you can, Kee,” Rhys said, and I looked up at him and couldn’t help smiling. He always had faith in me. I didn’t know why, but he did.
“Why do you believe in me so much?” I asked, my voice sounding a little needy even to my ears. I shook my head. “Actually, never mind.”
“Look at me,” Rhys instructed. My best friend didn’t repeat himself; he simply waited.
I drew in a deep breath and slowly let it out before turning in my chair and looking up at Rhys. He cupped my cheek and smiled down at me gently. “Because you don’t know just how amazing you are. And until you do, I’ll be right here telling you.”
I leaned my forehead on his belly, and Rhys slipped his hand into my hair like he used to do when I would lay with my head on his thigh. “Love you,” I whispered.
“Love you too,” he replied, and even without looking at him, I heard the smile in his voice.
I wouldn’t let Rhys down. He had faith in me. Put me forward to his family. It was up to me to make sure he never regretted it.
