“The usual. Spreadsheets, phone calls, emails, trying not to stare at my incredibly handsome boss. How about you?”
“Much the same, except replace ‘handsome boss’ with ‘beautiful employee who’s driving me to distraction.’”
Our waiter appears, and my warm face tells me I’m blushing again. I’m not used to receiving compliments. We order our meals and a glass of wine each.
I take a sip of my cabernet. “I have to admit I was nervous about today. I mean, I wasn’t sure how to act around you.”
John reaches across the table to take my hand. His thumb traces small circles on my palm. “It’s complicated. But we handled it pretty well, don’t you think?”
I almost snort. “Oh, I was the picture of calm and collected. I only jumped every time I saw you.”
He laughs, the sound warm and rich. “If it makes you feel any better, I had to physically restrain myself from kissing you senselessly in the break room.”
“Is that so?” I say, my voice slightly husky. “What about now?”
John’s eyes darken. “Now? I’m seriously considering throwing caution to the wind and kissing you in this public restaurant.”
As my heart races, I lean forward. “What’s stopping you?”
Our waiter appears with our entrees. We both lean back as our plates are set before us.
We dig into our meals, a perfectly cooked steak for John and a decadent truffle pasta for me.
“Have you considered your career goals? Since you’re staying with the company, I want to support you however I can.”
I wipe my mouth with my napkin. “I’m looking into becoming a Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Ambassador.”
“You’d excel promoting the role of a CFP and how valuable financial planning is.”
I nod. “I need more experience, but it could be a good next step for me, career-wise.”
“Have you researched any specific programs?”
As I explain what I’ve looked into—what I did when I got home on the first and was missing him—I’m struck by how attentive John is. He asks thoughtful questions and offers insights from his experience, genuinely invested in my professional growth. This starkly contrasts with my ex, Jake, who always viewed my career as secondary to his own.
Warmth spreads through my chest. “I appreciate how supportive you are. It means a lot to me.”
John reaches across the table to retake my hand. “Your success is important to me. Both personally and professionally. I want to see you thrive.”
I squeeze his hand, overcome with emotion. “Thank you. I feel the same way about you.”
We’re both smiling, and I can’t imagine why I thought Jake was the right guy for me. Rachel is welcome to him.
“So, speaking of thriving,” he says playfully, “how do you feel about dessert?”
I laugh. “A slice of that chocolate lava cake has my name on it.”
“Do you mind sharing?”
“Not at all.”
As we eat the delicious cake, I still can’t believe how natural spending time with him feels. Outside of work is easy, comfortable, and right.
After we finish our meal, despite my protests, John pays. We leave the restaurant, and I shiver. Maybe the shawl wasn’t my best outerwear choice. John shrugs off his jacket and drapes it over my shoulders.
“Such a gentleman.” I snuggle into the warmth of his coat. It smells like a mix of wood, mint, and something uniquely John. A part of me never wants to take it off.
As we walk, his arm goes around my waist. “I have a reputation to maintain.”
