“Thank you.” He gives a small bow, and we walk towards the lobby elevator. Once inside, the close proximity has me heating up, but the man seems perfectly at ease. My gaydar isn’t pinging, but I’m not ready to give up yet.
“So, you’re here to learn about the Institute’s offerings?” I ask.
“Yes. Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of time to meet with her. I need to get back to work across town.”
“What do you do for work?”
“I’m a hospital administrator.”
“Ooh, sounds fancy,” I say with a grin.
He shrugs in an adorable way. “It’s a living.”
Once the door opens, we walk down the corridor. I only glance at the way his tailored suit fits his ass once, maybe twice, tops. Meanwhile, my shabby outfit resembles Cinderella at the beginning of the book.
“Thank you,” he says, turning around. “For being so helpful.”
Is that a blush I spy on his face? Maybe I’m imagining things, but my gaydar just pinged.
“N-n-n-no problem,” I stammer.
All too soon, we make it to Emma’s office. I knock on the door and try not to gawk at the sexy man next to me. Moments later, my boss appears.
“Ah, are you Reed Sung?” she asks with a smile.
“Yes.” He shakes Emma’s hand, and she beckons him in. “Thank you for meeting me on such short notice.”
“Of course. I’ll take it from here, Skyler,” she says.
“Alright,” I say, trying to quell my disappointment. I don’t get to stare at this hunk anymore?Boo.
“Thanks, Skyler,” Reed says as he closes the door.
He knows my name!Swoon.
Ten minutes later, I’m finished primping myself in the bathroom. There’s only so much I can do without a full outfit change, but I refuse to let Reed see me looking so disheveled. My hair is patted down, and I hope scrubbing myself at the sink got rid of any weird odors. My ratty shirt is tucked in to reveal mysnatched waist. Now I’m strategically cleaning a window near the front entrance, trying desperately to look nonchalant.
“Hey, Sky.” My best friend, Ardsley, approaches me, and I refrain from shooing him away. “So, it turns out Tyson and I can come this weekend.”
“That’s great,” I say without looking at him. My attention is fixed on the elevator.
“Anything in particular you want for your birthday?”
“Mhm, sure.”
“Sky?” Ardsley waves his hand in front of me, and I’m forced to look at him. He’s an adorable, tall dude. Despite me being human and him being an eel shifter, we have a lot in common; he’s a true bestie to me. But he has a hot boyfriend, and I’m trying to get some play. “Are you listening?”
“What? Yeah, sure. I don’t need anything.”
Ardsley scrutinizes me, and I can’t say I blame him. Before he can accuse me of anything, the elevator opens, and we both turn in that direction.
Emma is walking and talking while Reed nods in interest. “And so email me, we’ll get you a full tour.”
“Certainly,” he replies.
“We really hope you consider enrolling your nephew in the liaison program. When you have time, one of our fabulous researchers can really go in depth with you about our offerings,” Emma says. She points at me, and I grin.
I’ll go in depth. I can show him all sorts of things. I’ll help him any way he wants. Preferably on my knees.
