Page 27 of All The Ways to Miss You

“I can imagine,” he murmurs.

When I glance at him, James is staring back, and I drop my gaze to the floor. Fumbling to point out another feature, I step away. “Um . . . over here in this corner would be a great place for the conference room and kitchen buildouts.”

“I’m sorry. Am I making you uncomfortable? It’s just when I see something beautiful, I like to admire it.”

I pause and turn to him, my hands fidgeting at my sides. He remains at the window, the bright sunlight pouring into the room silhouetting his shape. When I don’t respond, James approaches, his expression serious.

Until a few weeks ago, I hadn’t even kissed a guy that I could remember, and now this? I clasp my hands at my stomach and take a breath.

“No,” I say, though it’s not true. “You only caught me off guard. The truth is, I don’t believe in mixing work and pleasure.”

He stops before me but not too close, maybe sensing my vulnerability, and slides his hands into his pockets. “That’s a shame, because that’s all I can think about with you.”

“But you don’t even know me.”

“I would like to know you better, Cait. I’d like to take you out sometime.”

I look beyond him and out the window, searching for an appropriate response. I can’t deny he’s attractive. After a moment, I find my voice and lift my gaze to his. “I’m flattered, but we shouldn’t, considering we’re working on this deal.”

“Then let’s finish this as fast as we can.” His smile lightens the mood, and I chuckle.

Our appointment continues without another mention of our exchange, but he does his best to charm me, despite my rejection. By the end of the day, I’ve shown him two potential properties, and we arrange a future appointment to see more.

The next day, I’m in the office answering emails when Aggie strolls in, hugging a vase of flowers. The fall foliage reaches so wide, it hides her entire upper body. Only a few slivers of her wayward blond curls remain visible.

She leans to one side, peeking around a golden sunflower. “How’d your appointment with Mr. Hot Stuff go?”

“Fine. But more importantly, kudos to Paul, or is it Charlie, for sending you flowers?” I lean back in my chair to assess her while rolling a pen between my fingers. “Judging by your smile, it looks like someone’s getting lucky tonight.”

“Oh, someone’s getting lucky, but it’s not me.” She steps forward, sets the bouquet down, and circles my desk. Sitting on the edge, she faces me, her legs swinging playfully as she plucks a card from the arrangement.

She reads aloud. “Cait, please forgive me. I love you. Signed, Lou.” She pins me with her gaze and raises a questioning brow.

I tap my pen on my chin. Did Lou send these from Europe as a joke? It’s unlikely. I lean in and swipe the card from her fingers.

Cait,

I’m sorry I put you on the spot. Let’s chat again after we close the deal. Maybe at Dalton’s?

—James

I smack her arm with the card for the lie, but my anxiety settles in. She’s going to jump all over this. I stand up and move across the room.

She pulls her cell from her pocket and shakes it in my direction. “I read a hell of a tale from Lou via text. You forgot to tell me about your fake romance.” And because she needs to gloat, she says, “And I told you James wanted to rub your naughties together.”

I read the card again. A painful knot forms in my throat because I’m wishing they were from someone else. I don’t want my heart to linger there, but it does.

“James asked me out. I told him no.”

Or, at least, I think I told him no. I was nervous, so now I can’t recall our exact exchange. I drop into my seat, slump back, and swivel in a circle.

“Are you sure your rejection doesn’t have anything to do with your secret love affair with Lou?” She laughs.

I spin my chair one more time before stopping to face her. “I was going to tell you about that—soon-ish.” I wince.

“Really?”

I grip the armrests and nod.