“I’ll update you,” he says before turning back out of my office.
About an hour later, he comes back and lets me know it was in fact Jep Shepard and Harper.
A soft knock on my door pulls our attention away, and when I look over, a smile spreads across my face.
“Well, this is a nice surprise,” I say, leaning back in my chair.
“Hi, Jade,” Ian greets her.
“Hi. I hope it’s okay that I’m here,” she says with a shy smile, holding out her hands. “But I brought you something.”
As she walks across the room, I watch the hem of her skirt swish back and forth over her thighs in a tantalizing motion, just begging me to reach out and inch it a little higher.
“What am I? Chopped liver?” Ian jokes as she hands me a paper bag and coffee cup.
“Thanks, beautiful.” I peek inside the bag and pull out some kind of pastry.
Her attention shifts to Ian. “Sorry,” she tells him. “Next time I’ll remember you too.”
I take a bite, and my eyes pop at the way it melts on my tongue, causing an explosion of flavours. “Holy shit. This is really good,” I say, holding it up.
“Thanks! I’m glad you like them. Sarah made them this morning as a test batch and we’re looking for feedback.”
“Give me a piece,” Ian demands, eyeing my pastry. I tear a piece off and hand it over, watching as his eyes go big.
“Damn, Jade. West is right. This is damn good.”
“What exactly is it?” I ask.
She smiles and says, “It’s a raspberry lemon filled cream horn.”
“Sounds strange but tastes delicious. Do you got any more of these at the bakery?” Ian asks her.
“I do.”
“Boss man, let me leave and go snatch some before they’re all gone,” Ian pleads, and I roll my eyes.
“I can put some away for you,” Jade offers.
“Sweet. Thanks, Jade.”
Ian watches her with interest, and when his head tilts, there’s something about it I don’t like. Ian is a good friend, but right now I want to rip his eyeballs from their sockets.
Mine, my brain screams.
“Have you ever been blonde?” he asks, looking at her inquiringly, and a crease between my eyes form. Jade swallows like she’s uncomfortable, and then Ian asks a different question, not even giving her time to answer the first. “Or have you ever thought about going blonde?”
Her hand jerks to her locks, and her eyes dart around the room. She’s clearly uncomfortable, and now I’m pissed.
“Is there a reason you’re interested in my girlfriend’s hair?” I growl, andfuck. Did I just call her my girlfriend out loud?Based on Ian’s wide eyes and the pink hue glossing Jade’s cheeks, I’m going to say it’s a sure bet that I did.
“No reason,” he says, eyes still on her.
My eyes narrow because I don’t believe him, and I want those eyes off her right fucking now. “You some kind of undercover hairstylist or something?”
He throws his head back in laughter, finally moving his eyes from Jade, and my body relaxes a little. “Nope. Just thought blonde would suit her is all.”
I can tell she’s still uncomfortable, and by the way her eyes keep darting to the door, I assume she wants to bolt. Picking up a pen, I throw it at Ian. “Don’t listen to this egghead, Jade. I love your hair.”
