Ugh.I should have thought of that when I got dressed. My leggings and hoodie aren’t exactly winning me any beauty contests, even if they are clean today.
The woman lets out a low chuckle. “She sounds like a brilliant woman. She’s probably also incredibly wise, and beautiful, and kind, and a fabulous cook. Not to mention a superior assistant.”
“Hmm. She is. She absolutely is.” The woman laughs at Archer’s assurances. “But you already know you’re all those things, so stop fishing for compliments and get back to work.” His voice takes on a stern edge and he pauses before adding, “How was that?”
“Meh. It needs work. But you’re getting better. I almost believed you for a second. Keep practicing and you’ll get it.”
“Thanks, MaeLynn. You really are brilliant, you know.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“And so humble.” He laughs again and I resign myself to the fact that I’m going to have to wash these panties as soon as I get home. Damn it.I like this pair. They’re cute and comfortable, which is difficult to find these days with my new mom bod. I should have bought more. “Now we both really should get back to work. I want everyone out of here no later than three today. It’s the last day before we close for Christmas, so no one works late today.”
“Yes, sir. Mr. Fade,” the woman says with a laugh.
I can practically hear Archer’s eyes roll from here and can’t stop the laugh before it jumps from my throat.Shit.I should’ve announced myself before that happened. The heels clicking in my direction tell me they heard me.
“Oh, hello there. How can I hel—Ahhh!” The woman interrupts her own greeting with a scream. “It’s you! Oh, my god. I amsohappy you’re here. I was hoping I would get to meet you soon. Bring me that baby.” She comes around the desk toward me and makes grabby motions with her hands. “Look at how handsome you are,” she says in a sing-song voice, making Lincoln giggle. She raises her voice and calls over her shoulder, “You certainly don’t get that from your daddy.” She turns back to me. “You must be Phoebe. You’re even more gorgeous than Archer said. I’m MaeLynn, Archer’s assistant. May I?” She gestures to Lincoln, and he leans toward her.
Umm, hold up. Go back a minute. Did she say Archer told her I was gorgeous?Now I wish I’d made more of an effort when I got dressed to come here. Lincoln drags me from my internal monologue by attempting to jump headfirst into MaeLynn’s arms.
“Looks like I don’t have much say in the matter. He seems too interested in you for me to get in the way of you two.” And with how colorful her makeup and clothes are, I can’t blame him. She looks so fun I almost want to let her pickmeup. “Watch your earrings,” I warn as I pass her Lincoln. “He’s starting to get grabby fingers.”
MaeLynn cuddles Lincoln to her chest, pressing her cheek to his. “This adorable little muffin can rip my ears right off if he wants to.”
“Looks like you met MaeLynn.” Archer has come out of his office and is leaning against MaeLynn’s desk, arms and legs crossed, looking like he doesn’t have a care in the world.How is it fair for a man to look that sexy in a suit?“As you can see, she loves babies.”
“I sort of figured,” I say, standing up. “I think maybe it was the scream that gave it away. She played it totally cool otherwise.” I wink.
Archer gives an exaggerated nod. “Oh, yeah. Totally cool.”
“Lincoln and I don’t need this negativity,” MaeLynn says. “We’re taking a walk.” She stops and turns to me. “If that’s okay with you, Phoebe?”
I look to Archer because no matter how nice this woman seems, we just met, and he’s my best source of information.
“Don’t go far,” he tells her. “I want to be the one introducing my son to the staff.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll only go out to the lobby and look out the windows.”
MaeLynn holds Lincoln out so I can lean in and give him a kiss before she takes him on their walk. I watch until they’re out of sight.
“He’ll be fine. She has three grandkids that she watches all the time. They’re a little older now, but I know she’s been missing having a baby around to snuggle. You made her day by coming to visit. I’m sure this will be the highlight of her week.”
I’m still staring down the hallway when I nod and mumble an answer. “Oh. Yeah, sure. I know.”
And I do know, I’m not merely saying that. If I were here for any reason besides spying on Archer, then I’m sure MaeLynn’s kindness would be more welcome. She seems wonderful. And her scream of delight when she spotted us, evidently knowing who we were before we officially met, was clearly genuine.
“So what brings you by? And how did you know where I work? I don’t remember mentioning it. Not that I mind the surprise. I just wasn’t expecting a visit.”
Shit. He didn’t tell me, did he?Quick, Phoebe. Think of a plausible reason you know where he works when he didn’t tell you. Whatever you don’t tell him.“I had a friend figure it out for me.”No, you weren’t supposed to tell him that. That’s too close to the truth.
He chuckles. “Well, you found me.”
I force a laugh. “Yeah, ha ha. I guess I did.” I turn to look at him and I’m immediately struck by how good he looks today. Every time I’m next to him, he blinds me with how attractive he is. He’s pushed his shirtsleeves up, showing off thick forearms with a smattering of dark hair. The pants he’s wearing fit snugly across his thighs and the way they’re stretched to capacity at the front hints at what I vaguely remember he’s hiding behind his zipper. My tongue darts out to wet my lips as I wonder how I can get him to turn around. Maybe if I throw a pen on the floor, he’ll do a “bend-and-snap” for me. I need to see if his ass fills out those pants like I think it does.I recall he has a hockey player’s ass. A big ol’ bubble butt that would be perfect for sinking my tee—
“Phoebe?”
“Huh?” I snap my head up, suddenly aware that I’ve been staring. “Sorry, what? Did you say something?”
