Christian: Pizza okay, or do you want tacos?
Me: How about we meet at the park and find a food truck? I’ve been inside all day.
Christian: That sounds amazing.
Christian: Do you want to know something else amazing?
I bat my eyelashes, a blush heating my cheeks as I get ready for him to flirt.
A ping I hadn’t heard in months sounds from across the hall at the same time my phone lights up with a text.
Christian: They fixed your elevator.
My insides freeze and I look up as the elevator door opens again. Christian’s standing in the middle, phone in one hand, and a sideways grin on his face. “Isn’t it amazing that it works?”
“What are you doing here?” I rush inside the elevator, excitement budding in my chest.
He pretends to scoff. “Did you think I could climb those tower stairs again?”
“I thought we were meeting at the park.”
“We have a lunch date, and.” He takes a step closer to me. “I still need to make up for the other time I didn’t kiss you.” His hand drops to my hip, and his eyes pace between my eyes and lips. I know this look. I’ve memorized it by now, and I am so ready to kiss him.
As if on cue, the elevator door closes, and music plays out of the speakers, a light jazz that couldn’t set the mood better if I had tried. As he leans in, he doesn’t close his eyes. My eyelids drift down as our lips meet in the sweetest smooch. My heartrate skyrockets all the while I struggle to prevent my knees from knocking together. I can’t help but wonder how I got so lucky.
We ride the elevator down with our lips locked until the door dings, and rapidly opens. Startling us to take a step back, we both stare wide-eyed. My jaw drops. Mrs. Nelson is walking Oliver, and they are waiting for the elevator on the bottom floor. “Who let you guys out?”
She waddles inside, taking her time, but Oliver’s a good companion not pulling her faster than she can manage. “We walked to the mailbox because it’s such a lovely day out.”
“I see that.” A smile spreads across my face as Oliver greets me by licking my hands. “Hey, boy. I’m sorry I didn’t walk you today.”
“He’s fine.” She pats his head and takes a step toward the door. “I’d better hurry back upstairs before the elevator breaks again and traps me down here.”
I nervously chuckle, not at all doubting that could happen. Mrs. Nelson looks back at me. “Well, I’m afraid I do have bad news, and I hope it doesn’t upset you. I do think now that I don’t have to take the stairs, I’ll be able to walk Oliver all the time. I enjoy getting outside.”
I bite back a smile, not wanting her to see that I consider this good news. “I will miss our walks, but I totally understand. I’m getting regular shifts at the Coffee Loft again, and my website will be just fine.” I bravely reach out, grab Christian’s hand, and lace my fingers through his. We step out of the elevator together as I call back, “Besides, I don’t need to look for hunks anymore. I just had my last first date. “
Epilogue
Six months later
“Well.” Christian brushes his hands together and swipes the newly signed contract off the desk. “That settles it.” Slipping the contract into a manilla envelope, he seals it all the while his eyes are on me. “A business partner is the last thing I ever wanted, as I had dreams of building this empire by myself, but I can’t afford not to keep you around.”
“It’s hard to believe we ended up as partners after the rocky start we had.” I chuckle reminiscently as I stand, and we both exit Christian’s Coffee Loft office together. It’s Friday night, after closing and we’re the only ones in the store.
“I guess you’re no longer my boss.” My lips curl into a dubious grin. “We are now equals, which means I get to make decisions, too.”
“Oh, man.” Christian playfully rolls his eyes. “What did I get myself into?”
Tapping my chin, I pretend to assess the store. “It looks like we might need to do a little remodeling.” I walk to the coffee bar and motion to the empty counter space. “We need a long row of French presses here—”
My voice drops off because I find a random French press with a giant gold bow on it, sitting exactly where I had motioned.How’d that happen?“What’s this doing here?” I motion to it, as it’s clearly out of place. I had just cleaned this counter. It must be part of one of his jokes.
“Pardon my French press.” Christian swoops in front of me, and slides the press off the counter, removing the lid with his other hand while tipping the canister toward me. “That’s because I have a question for you.”
“You do?” I ran my tongue over my lips, hydrating them. “What is it?”
A glimmer of light reflects off something inside as my heart slams against my chest, pounding so loudly it echoes in my ears. Everything’s playing in slow motion, and I want to scream in all caps that I can’t believe this is happening!
