Lately, it irritated the hell out of me.
“Keith. You’re back.”
“Got in a few hours ago. Miami was incredible. You should have seen this club we went to, and the women? I swear they get hotter every month.” He caught sight of Ina and grinned. “Ava! Looking good. Did you do something different with your hair?”
Ina’s smile faltered slightly. “No.”
She didn’t like him. That much was clear. And for some silly, juvenile reason, it made my heart warm with satisfaction.
He turned back to me, not noticing or maybe just not caring about the way Ina’s expression had dimmed. “Dude, I saw the pictures from the gala last night. Who was that pretty little thingon your arm? That ass could launch a thousand ships, if you know what I mean.”
Several people nearby turned to look at us. Ina choked on the coffee she had just sipped.
“Keith,” I said, my voice low and controlled. “My office. Now.”
“What? I’m just asking.”
“Now.”
I didn’t wait to see if he followed. I walked into my office, and sure enough, Keith sauntered in a moment later, shutting the door behind him.
“You need to watch your fucking mouth in the office,” I said before he could speak. “That shit is way inappropriate.”
“Whoa, touchy. I was just curious. Aren’t we friends? Don’t I get to know these things?”
“You can’t be talking about hot asses in the office.” I moved behind my desk, needing the physical barrier between us because I suddenly had the urge to punch him in the nose. “And no, you don’t get toknow these things. My personal life is private. It’s none of your goddamn concern.”
Keith stared at me, then shrugged. “Fine. Be mysterious. But that body was fire. Let me know when you’re done with her and I’ll take my shot.”
“One more comment like that and you’re fucking fired,” I told him, no humor in my voice.
He held up his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright. My lips are sealed.”
He left, and I sank into my chair, running a hand over my face.
The rest of the day passed in a blur of meetings and emails and Friday chaos. I barely saw Ina except in passing. There were a few brief moments when she brought me messages or confirmed appointments.
It wasn’t until late afternoon that Lucas made his rounds with the final week of Cupid’s Exchange gifts.
He stopped at Ina’s desk, deposited something, then continued on his way. It was the gift I got her. I recognized the wrapping. Lucas had taken my instructions to heart.
He didn’t bring anything to my office, which felt a little off. I knew Ina was my Secret Cupid. She’d been a rock star when it came to gifts. Then I remembered she went to the gala and stayed at my place. She probably didn’t have time.
I waited about fifteen minutes, then got up to go into the break room when I saw Ina heading that way.
“You got your Cupid gift,” I said.
She grimaced. “Yeah, toothbrush.”
“You don’t like it?” I asked.
“It’s bluetooth enabled, apparently. I don’t even know what that means.” She looked confused. “Why would someone give me a toothbrush? Are they suggesting I need to brush my teeth?”
I reached over her head to grab a mug, using the movement as cover to lean close enough to whisper in her ear. “It’s to keep at my place. Tonight.”
I felt her go still, saw the blush creep up her cheeks.
“You’re my Secret Cupid?” she whispered.
