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“Lauren—”

Noah’s leggy, thirty-something assistant, Jennifer, approaches us. I’d be annoyed at his choice of secretaries if it wasn’t a well-known fact that Jenn has been very happily married for almost fifteen years.

“Mr. Reeves, Ms. Southall, the committee is on the phone. They’re asking to speak to you. Oh, and I dropped off this week’s dry cleaning at your house.”

My stomach does a flip-flop as Noah nods. Uh-oh. The moment of truth. This project means so much to me—the first big one Noah has assigned to me since I joined the company. I want to prove to my detractors that I wasn’t hired purely out of nepotism. And prove to Noah that he didn’t make a mistake.

“Thanks. We’ll take the call in my office. Hold everything else for now.”

My belly does another flip as Noah guides me to his office. That innocent little touch sets off all kinds of tingles. Geez, I survived without sex for two years, but the minute I get some…I only want more.

Pull yourself together.

Sidestepping Noah, I make my way to his office. My heart suddenly double-times as he shuts the door behind us.

“Ready?” His eyes dance with mischief.

The way he’s looking at me, it isn’t hard to imagine he’s asking if I’m ready for something thoroughly wicked.

My overactive imagination really needs to take a freaking rest.

“Let’s hear the decision.” I sink into the spare chair in his office.

Noah eases into his own chair and presses the button on his speakerphone. “Reeves here. I’ve got Lauren with me. Go.”

“Glad you’re both available,” Danson says. “Lauren, you did a great job today.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“You brought up points that Noah didn’t mention Sunday afternoon when he took me aside to persuade me after wiping the basketball court with my ass.”

“I didn’t wipe the court with your ass,” Noah argues. “I pressed my height advantage.”

Noah is easily six-foot-three. Danson might be five-eight on a good day.

“Yeah, and you used it to wipe the court with my ass. Anyway…” he huffs good-naturedly, “…we’re green-lighting the project research. Four focus groups each in the three demographics we discussed. They’re welcome to come to any of the locations and order anything on the menu, as long as they come at the appointed time and answer questions directly afterward. I know you wanted them to come during the weekends and dinner hours, but we can’t let this disrupt our usual business.”

I clench my fists and pump one in the air. Victory! The dining time is a small setback, but I’ll work around that.

“Thank you. To all of the committee.”

“You know I was your toughest critic,” Martin chimes in. “But the income projections you provided, coupled with the low-cost location modifications you researched that will help support a family environment, convinced me.”

Exactly as Noah said. I’m so excited, I’m nearly bouncing in my seat.

“Yes, sir. I think you’ll see the restaurant-goers in that area will love the idea of casual elegance in dining that does its best to include the kids. I suspect the extensive wine list will be a big hit, as well as the additions of Sunday brunches.”

“Get us hard data and we’ll look at it again.”

“I’ll get started right away. I have the plan for the focus groups in place. We can have everything completed in the next few weeks.”

“Great, Lauren.” Danson again. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks to all of you. I won’t disappoint.”

After a quick round of good-byes, Noah clicks the speakerphone button. Silence spreads over the room as he stands with an indulgent smile. I can’t contain my excitement for another minute. I bounce out of my chair and dart for him. Thrilled as hell, I grab his shoulders and raise on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek.

At the last second, he turns his head and my lips press directly against his.