I step out from behind my desk and throw the strap of my bag over my shoulder. “It’s Friday.”
He comes to stand next to me. “I’m not as busy as you think I am, Miss Riley.”
“Really?” I ask sarcastically. “I’d say those two naked women this week would be evidence of the contrary, Mr. Mills.”
I don’t wait for his reaction and head for the door. He beats me to it, grabbing the handle before I can.
I finally look at him. His green eyes are full of an emotion I can’t quite read. It appears as though he wants to say something, but he pulls the door open instead.
“After you, Miss Riley.”
Turning, I walk out of the office. He follows in silence.
“Nova!” Evan shouts as he comes around the wooden bar at the restaurant and wraps me in his strong arms, lifting me off the floor.
I laugh, clutching him like he’s the only person keeping me tied to this earth.
“Oh, how I’ve missed you! You always smell so damn good,” Evan comments, burying his head in the crook of my neck.
Laughing harder, I playfully slap his shoulder. “I don’t even wear perfume.”
“That’s why you always smell so good. You smell like you.”
“Let her down already, Evan. No hogging,” Jax says, coming around and peeling me from Evan’s arms.
I hug Jax, and he also buries his head in my neck. “He’s right, though,” he says when he lifts his head. “You always smell so good. Like home.”
I smile, that comment affecting me more than it should.
I’m so happy to see them that I forget entirely about Owen standing behind us until Evan drawls, “Who’s this delicious man?” He extends his hand toward Owen.
Whirling around, I discover Owen’s amused expression and observe as Evan takes Owen’s hand and kisses him on the knuckles.
Owen chuckles. “I’m her new boss.” He pulls his hand away slowly.
“Boss?” he asks me with a wink and a waggle of his eyebrows. “Orboss, boss?”
I laugh, and Owen surprises me by laughing too.
“Boss, boss,” I respond.
“Oh, shit. Sorry boss-man. I didn’t realize real bosses drove their employees out on a Friday night.”
Owen cocks his head to the side, as if considering those words. Leave it to Evan to always make everything awkward.
“He owed me a favor because I’m such an amazing employee and do far more than what’s in my job description,” I explain, realizing a moment later, when Evan’s eyebrows shoot up, that I gave him more ammunition.
“More, huh?” he insinuates.
I huff. “You’re impossible. Get me a drink already, will you?”
Evan winks at both of us before hurrying off to grab me what I asked for. Bottles clink, and the low hum of conversation fills my ears.
Jax leans casually against the bar, watching me. His eyes dart to Owen for a brief moment before settling on me again. The question he isn’t voicing sparkles in his eyes.
I turn to Owen. “Do you want to stay for a drink? No pressure.”
“Oh, do stay! I’d love to stare at you a little longer,” Evan chirps as he sets down my drink. It’s a simple vodka soda with a splash of lemon. I rarely drink, and I probably shouldn’t do so now. Not when my target seems as though he might take me up on my offer to hang around.
