He waves a hand. “I won’t yap for too long, but if you want to join us on the trip, please get in touch with my assistant. We’ll be heading out in two weeks, but if you sign up by the end of the week, there’s still time to make room for you. Let’s plant some trees!”
Chapter Eight
THEO
Evie surprises me during her first week on the job, and they’re all pleasant surprises. She’s as organized and personable as I thought she would be, but she’s more than that. She finds rental cabins for everyone who signs up for the trip, gets excellent deals on flights, and goes out of her way to find me new speaking engagements in the fall, even though she won’t be working with me by then.
I’m not looking forward to her leaving.
The weekend comes, and I would usually reject Everett’s offer for another barbecue. I already went to the last one, and that’s usually enough to tide me over for the month, but…
I don’t have any work to catch up on, thanks to Evie’s help. I may as well enjoy myself.
And, fine, a small part of me wants to see her again—outside the office. God. How can I spend all week with Evie and still want an excuse to see her?
She’s there. Of course, she is—she’s the first thing I see when Everett leads me inside. Evie is different when she’s not at work. Her stuffy outfit has been replaced with a pastel dress, and she’s baking again. Evie is passionate about her craft. It didn’t take me long to realize that, and watching her ice lemon frosting onto pale cupcakes confirms it.
“Do you ever stop working?” I lean against the countertop and watch her. It’s an ironic question coming from me. Everett would probably call me out if he were within earshot.
It’s probably better that he’s not. He can’t see how my eyes wander down to her low neckline—and swiftly back up to her face, where it’s safe to look.
“This isn’t work. No one’s paying me for it.” Her words are muttered; she hardly pays attention to me. She doesn’t even look up.
“I’m surprised you have the energy for this after such a hard week.” I click my tongue. “As your boss, it’s my duty to remind you to relax.”
She sets the frosted cupcake down and sprinkles flower petals on top. “This is how I relax. Don’t I look relaxed?”
“More relaxed than the last time I saw you baking. You were a mess then.”
She finally turns her attention to me, her hands on her hips as she stares me down. “You’re my boss. Should you really be commenting on my looks?”
There are many things I shouldn’t do. I shouldn’t think about how cute she looked at the last party, covered in flour and frosting. She looks as sweet now, even though she’s wearing her brother’s ridiculous Kiss The Cook apron.
“I’m not commenting on your looks. You were covered in flour before.” I lift my hands in surrender. “If this is how you have fun, I won’t judge.
Strictly speaking, I shouldn’t even be here and probably shouldn’t be talking to her. It’s just for the summer. After the summer, I can return to perfectly professional relationships, and I’ll probably only see Evie if Everett ever decides to get married. Some of our friend group have bets about whether he’ll ever find a person to settle down with; I bet against it.
“How doyouhave fun?” she asks.
“I usually start with a drink. What about a Bloody Mary? It’s too early for anything else, at least for me.”
“Fine.” She lifts her chin. “Make me one.”
“Now who’s the boss?” I shake my head and walk through the house. It won’t be the first time I’ve helped myself to Everett’s bar.
Evie trails behind me. “You’re inmybrother’s house. I think I can boss you around a little. As long as you promise you won’t get payback once we’re in the office?”
“Promise.” I pour the ingredients—vodka, lemon juice, black pepper, tomato juice, and a dash of hot sauce. “I like seeing you like this. You always seem so nervous around the office.”
“I’m not nervous…” Her gaze drifts away. “Well, maybe a little, but I’m getting less nervous every day. By the end of the summer, I’ll be more confident than the guy who works the front desk.”
“Dexter.”
“Is that his name?”
“Mhm.” I fill the glasses with ice. “By the time we get to that point, you’ll already be leaving us.”
“Is it weird that I’m a little sad about it?” She moves from one foot to the other, her fingers twisting together. “It’s not a bad place to work. Christine is cool, and… you’re fine too, I guess.”
