I frantically tried to find my shoes that I’d left under my desk, my feet scanning the carpeted floor. My big toe touched the heel of one of them just as he entered my space. He smiled without a word and disappeared in front of my desk. When I leaned forward, I found him crouched down. I was fairly sure my eyes were bugging out at this moment.
He slowly pulled up to his full height with my black pumps hanging precariously from two fingers while I squeaked something incomprehensible.
He came around my desk, which was covered with books, photos, and a half-eaten apple. With his easy unwavering smile, I watched as he bent over in front of me with his hand held out, looking like a version of a handsome duke in a regency novel. I may have tittered.
That’s not a word I ever used but it seemed to fit in this regency fantasy I was having. Still in my dreamworld, I started to reach my hand out to him as if we were about to start waltzing right here in the middle of the office until his eyes went down to my feet.
Wait. Did he want to put my shoes on?
I literally swooned. All my romance fantasies were coming true.Forget a regency duke. Miles was Prince Charming, and I was Cinderella. A breathy sigh may have escaped my lips.
“May I?” he asked when I didn’t move. He bent over more, his sandalwood cologne making me swoon even more.
“Oh, ah sure,” I answered after a loud swallow.
I was trying so hard to be demure and ladylike as I prepared to lift my foot. But the combination of having him here in my space, seeing him bending over me with a mischievous smile, his cologne doing strange things to my nervous system was apparently too much.
Before I could stop the upward motion, my size-ten foot shot up too quickly and kicked him in the chin, causing him to fall on his backside with a loud “uff.”
“Miles, oh gosh, did I hurt you? Geez, I’m sorry,” I said, sitting up and bending toward him. All my hard-earned confidence was leaking out like a flat tire.
His head was tilted back, and I worried I had hit him in the nose instead. That’s when I heard his familiar belly laugh.
“That’s what I get for trying to do something suave andcompletelyout of character,” he said between bouts of breath-stealing laughter. I wasn’t sure what that meant. Maybe he didn’t like feet?
I smacked him on the arm for scaring me. “I thought I’d broken your nose or something,” I grumbled, unable to hide the amusement in my voice.
“Would’ve served me right.” Suddenly, the ridiculousness of this situation tickled me and before I could stop it, a loud bark of laughter bellowed out of me, which made him resume his own. We must’ve sounded like loons.
“Victoria?Is everything alright?”
Anna’s incredulous words hit me like ice water poured over my head. It felt like being in school and the principal catching you kissing the cute guy from English lit class.
Oddly specific, I know. Further evidence of my state of mind.
I stood up from my chair so quickly, it hit the wall with a loud clang.
“An-Anna. Sorry. Miles, I meanMr. Austinwas helping me with my…” Oh gosh, how would I explain this to her? Gratefully, Miles had dropped my shoes next to me. When I tried to slip into them, growing a few inches taller, Anna’s eyebrows lifted.
I was so fired.
“It was my fault,” Miles said, pushing off the ground with ease. “I scared Vicky when I came in unannounced.”
I was trying to calm my breathing, both from the unexpected laughingfit and the look on Anna’s face. There was no doubt my cheeks were the color of my dress.
“I see. Mr. Austin, it’s nice to meet you in person. I’m Anna Deveroe, Ms. Sala’s assistant,” she said with an even tone that masked her apparent irritation with me.
Miles shook her extended hand. “It’s nice to meet you finally. Vicky has spoken so highly of you and Ms. Sala. I’m very grateful that you supported my preference for her on this project. Because of her, the party was a great success. All the things she did to help my employees feel at ease with one another in a new environment made all the difference. They’re still talking about it this morning.”
Grateful he wasn’t looking at me, I stood tall like I was in the military, stealing glances at Anna as I tried to straighten the books on my desk. Her tightened facial expression softened as she nodded her head.
“I’m pleased to know that Victoria is living up to her potential. I understand that your daughter’s room will be completed this week. Is that correct, Victoria?” she asked, turning to face me.
I nodded quickly, calming myself before replying, “Yes, it is. I was just finishing up communication with the team that will start in the morning. Mr. Austin’s mother will be there while he’s at work. And, of course, I will be there to oversee everything as planned.”
“That’s good to hear.” Turning back to Miles, who had his hands in his pockets, she said, “Again, it was lovely to meet you. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.”
“I appreciate that, but it won’t be necessary, Ms. Deveroe. Vicky’s incredible ideas for my home are perfect.” He held her gaze for a moment longer. I was holding my breath.
