After the movie, it was straight home for the cuties, where we declined an invitation from Amanda and Zane to stay for dessert. They gave us knowing looks, and we took that as our cue to flee. We ran to the store for ice cream and plastic spoons, then made a beeline for the park where we laid out a blanket and enjoyed our ice cream and our favorite park activity.
Under the starlit canvassed sky, I lay my head in his lap while he stroked my hair. I felt like all was right in the world. I sighed, “Thank you.”
He gazed down at me. “For what?”
“For this whole week. You’ve taken such good care of me.”
“I missed you, Kelli.”
I grinned. “I missed your cooking.”
He pulled me up gently, so we were face-to–face.
I looked into those chocolate eyes of his that were framed by eyelashes that would make any woman green with envy. I outlined his face with my finger. “Did I forget to mention how much I’ve missed you?”
He kissed my forehead, before resting his chin on my head. “Does this mean we can give this another go?”
“Are you asking me to go steady, Ian?”
He chuckled. “For now.”
I pulled away and raised my brow. “Only for now?”
“That’s not what I said.”
I bit my lip. “Oh.”
He captured my lips and kissed me like that’s all he wanted to do forever.
IT WAS A GOOD THING we had such a wonderful week and weekend together, if not we may have broken up before we ever really started again. Ian wasn’t kidding when he said he wanted to maintain professional boundaries while in the office. I agreed with him, but I guess I thought he would have lightened up some, or at least softened on how he approached me.
Monday morning started off all well and good. I came in to find Delfia anxiously waiting for me in my office that was now filled with flowers and get-well cards. I noticed too that some furniture rearrangement had been done in my absence. The credenza was now back in its original place.
Delfia was to me in no time, hugging me. When she pulled away her eyes were all alight like she knew something. I’m sure she had her suspicions about me and our boss. “By the way, Mr. Greyson would like to speak to you.”
“Thank you.” I tried not to give anything away. I’m not sure how well I did because her toothy grin was pretty wide.
I set up my laptop and read some of the cards before I made my way to the adjoining door. As I approached it, I wondered if I should knock, or if he would mind now if I just walked in. I decided I would test the waters. I opened the door without knocking. I peeked in and found him sitting at his desk, looking like Mr. Greyson.
“You wanted to see me,” I said as a way of announcing myself.
He looked up and smiled, so I guess it was okay that I didn’t knock, but then . . . “Yes, Ms. Bryant.”
I shut the door and frowned. “Ms. Bryant? I thought we decided to cut that nonsense out?”
“I said you could call me Ian,” he didn’t miss a beat.
“Well, if you need my permission, you have it, please call me Kelli.”
“I can’t.” He set down the pen he had been holding.
I didn’t even know how to respond to that ridiculousness, so I stood there dumbfounded.
He waved to the chairs in front of his desk. “Would you please sit down?”
I did as he asked, but I wasn’t happy about it. When I took one of the seats in front of his desk, I looked at him as if to saythis better be good, really good.
“Ms. Bryant,” he said with a smile. “I have a good reason for not wanting to call you by your first name.”
