Her hand covers mine. “No, it’s not a problem. I was just surprised. And it still feels weird being around people, knowing I work for you.”
I should have been expecting her to respond this way, but I was really hoping things would be back to normal since it’s been a few days. Even with our awkward exchange, being around her calms me after the interaction with my brother.
“You okay?” she asks.
When I look back up, she seems back to her old self. Her shoulders are relaxed, and she has a small smile as she meets my gaze. This is what I needed. Somehow in this short period of time, she has become the thing I need when something is missing. She grounds me.
“Yeah, I’m better now. I just left Gray’s place and wanted to lay eyes on you.”
Her smile widens and she finally picks up her sandwich and takes a bite. She’s adorable, closing her eyes and nodding to herself as she enjoys her first taste. I could watch her all day.
“Is he okay?”
“Oh, yeah he’s fine,” I reassure her. “I went over to see if he’d be interested in helping me run Boulder Ranch.”
She straightens in her seat. “Oh? Did it not go well?”
I let out a snort. “I guess it could have gone worse. He didn’t throw me off his porch or anything.”
“He said no?” Her voice is quiet.
“Not exactly. But he sure as hell didn’t say yes. He looked at me like I’d finally lost it. Like he couldn’t even comprehend the idea of working together. The whole reason I agreed to take the place over was because of the stupid hope that we could run it together.”
Explaining it aloud makes me feel even worse. Of course he’d think I’ve gone crazy. The only person who knows my feelings is me because god forbid, I talk about them. I would if I ever knew what to say. The only way my brother will know that I’m the way I am because I care, is if I tell him. So, I’d better figure it out.
“He didn’t say no. If he was that against it, he would have shut it down right away. Don’t give up.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “You’re right. I’ll figure things out in the meantime. I knew I came here for a reason.”
She gives me another smile before returning to her food. I feel a million times lighter after sitting here and talking for just a few minutes. I’ll give Gray time to think about it and get back to me. And I’ll see just how much Hayden is willing to help until I find out for sure if I need to hire someone permanently.
“Thanks again for surprising me with lunch,” Joy says, standing to collect our trash.
“Thanks for—well—being you. Come over tonight?”
“I don’t know…” she says slowly as she tosses our garbage into the nearby trash can.
Walking up behind her, I place my hands on her hips and pull her close. I breathe in her scent before pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head. “Do you have some reason not to?”
“I guess not,” she says quietly.
“Good. I’ll see you at 6:00.”
“That’s dinner time,” she points out.
“Exactly. I like to see you with your mouth full.”
She lets out a gasp and swats me playfully. “Tate, I’m at work. You can’t say things like that.”
I let out a low chuckle and then kiss her temple. “I’ll see you tonight where I can say whatever I want.”
I turn and walk out. There’s no need for me to turn and look; I can feel Joy’s gaze on me as I push the door open and walk outside to the front parking lot.
Chapter 29
Joy
I’mafraud.TateGarrison as my boss was nearly a dealbreaker for me. I’m independent. I don’t want any preferential treatment or for anyone to think I have this job because I’m sleeping with the boss. Well, if that’s true, I need to figure out why one glimpse of him has my heart racing and my thighs clenching.
