I knowI made a lot of jokes at the ball, but actually, bringing my art supplies to The Edward Corporation building is blowing my mind. I got here bright and early, the only other person at the office is Stacy, and I can already tell I’m going to love everything about her.
She met me in the lobby when security called up to her and escorted me personally to my office with a bright smile glued to her face. I’ve been unboxing my things since.
This office is huge. It’s a corner suite with floor-to-ceiling windows on two of the full walls. My door is glass with a blurring feature. Stacy said it’s for when I’m working on private client material. Apparently, the boys bring clients to the building for regular meetings and with this new location, they have clients that are closer like Family Farms, and continue to build their new clientlist within this location. Ryder is surprisingly good at his job from what Stacy told me.
A light knock on the door has me spinning towards the sound, almost dropping my lavender plant.
James stops right at my threshold. “You snuck out of bed.”
I lean against my clean white desk. “It’s my first day at a new job. I couldn’t be late.”
“I think your boss would understand.” He crosses the room to stand in front of me.
I place my hands on his chest. “I don’t want him to think less of me. I’m a hard worker. Plus, I’m excited to start working onmyclients’ new designs.”
“Yourclients, huh?” His cedar scent is intoxicating and I almost forget what we are talking about.
“Wha—Oh yeah. Stacy logged me into my new work email, and Jake already sent me some ideas he wants me to work on.” I flip my screen around on the desk to show him.
James barely glances at the message before hovering above my lips. “I’m happy you’re excited, Babe. Next time, wake me up so I can come with you.”
“Deal.” His lips brush mine, and I pull on his sweater to get him closer.
He backs out of my hold easily. “Nope. You have unpacking to do.” I look at my mess of boxes and push my lip out in a pout. He laughs at me. “I have a coffee run to go to. My new employee negotiated goodcoffee as a work requirement.” He shrugs and walks backwards out my office door while I squeal in delight.
Damn, this is going to be a great job.
I’m waiting outside Brick Stone Pizza when I see Ashlyn making her way down the sidewalk. “You made it! Where’s Jaz?”
She hustles over to me in her stiletto heels. “Dunno. She just said she would get a ride from someone in her class.”
A sports car screeches to a halt in front of the entrance. A tall man in glasses with a grey button-up shirt steps out, walks around the front of the car, and opens the passenger door while we stand stunned. A black jean leg pops out, followed by the rest of our best friend.
“What the—” Ashlyn gapes.
“Thanks for the ride, I’ll see you later.” Jaz waves at the man.
“Anytime, Jaz. You know I don’t mind.” He jogsaround to the driver’s side, waving again to our Jaz before jumping in and peeling off like he’s in a race.
“Hey, guys!” Jaz says as she walks up to us. “You didn’t have to wait outside.”
“Uh … What was that?” I ask, still trying to figure out what happened.
“Whois that!” Ash yells at the same time.
“What? Him? That’s just Lenny. He’s working in the same research building as me.” She cocks her head to the side, eyeing us.
“Does Lenny drive you around often? I thought I was your taxi bitch?” Ash pretends to be offended.
Jaz throws her black hair over one shoulder, and rubs at her neck. “Yeah, sometimes. I usually have a lot of research to do at various locations, so he drives me to collect samples and do studies most days.”
“Most days!” Ash’s mouth almost hits the floor. “How am I just hearing about this? I thought we were close?”
“What?” Jaz asks.
“Are you guys dating?” I ask what Ash really wants to know.
Jaz doubles over laughing, she can barely breathe. “Excuse—me? Lenny? Jesus, no. We are just doing research in the same area. Not the same actual study, but our samples are located near each other, so we are saving gas by carpooling.” She pulls the front door to the pizza place open. “You two are wild. Me and Lenny? Get real.”
