Part 15 (1/2)

I kick at his leg and he dodges it with a chuckle.

Another woman appears by my side. In front of her, she holds a tray of white cupcakes. They look incredible. She smiles from me to James and asks, ”Would you like to try our newest flavor combination?”

My brain can't form words to answer this question. I look back up at James with a smile that is so goofy it borderlines special. His shoulders shake in silent laughter. ”Yes, please.”

We both take a cupcake, and without thinking, I remove the wrapper and shove the entire thing in my mouth. As soon as the sweetness. .h.i.ts my tongue, I have a mouthgasm. My eyes roll into the back of my head as I garble, ”Holy s.h.i.+t, that's amazing.” James nods in agreement, biting into his cupcake like a normal person.

The older woman tells us, ”This one's a light vanilla base with white choc macadamia ganache.”

But I physically can't right now. I lean back into my boss and rest my head on his shoulder. ”Jesus C. I can't even. That was just...I'm not even...so, so good. So d.a.m.n good.” His shoulder bobs and I know he's laughing at me again, but I don't even care.

The woman smiles at me. ”You like?”

Prying my now-sleepy eyes open, I respond through a sigh, ”I love.”

Her nose wrinkles with amus.e.m.e.nt. She turns to her co-worker. ”Verna, add one of these to this young lady's sample boxes.”

My eyes snap open. ”No way.”

Behind the counter, an amused Verna replies with a soft shoulder shrug, ”Way.”

I turn to James, bottom lip trembling with emotion. ”Best day ever.”

I'm not surprised when he wraps an arm around my shoulder and squeezes. But I am surprised when he lowers his lips to my ear and whispers, ”You're adorable.” I'm surprised, because James ticks all the boxes for me. He's attractive, tall, and sweet as sugar, but the spark...it's missing.

Stupid son of a spark b.i.t.c.h. Show yourself! I know he said he doesn't date employees, but he didn't mention anything about having s.e.x with them. I mean, I'm due, for crying out loud! It's been forever since I've had s.e.x, and right now, James is looking like a mighty fine contender. He's also been giving all the go-ahead signs. Or, at least, I think he has. Maybe I'm just hoping he's sending those signs, and because I'm h.o.r.n.y, the horniness is fogging my intentions radar.

What's worse is that my once-a-night happy time has come to a halt. Imagine my surprise when my first night in New York, I settle into bed and reach for Mr. Squeal-A-Lot, only to be reminded I removed the batteries before I packed it. If I had gone to Nat's at eleven pm and asked her for batteries, the s.k.a.n.k would've given me that look. The one that says 'I know what you need these for, you dirty Gertie'. Not to mention, she probably would've told Ash. Screw that.

Mental note: Buy a pack of batteries.

On second thought...

Revised mental note: Buy a bulk pack of batteries.

Maybe James can be my very own personal happy time friend. I must look into this, but not too far. I don't want to end up being that girl. Or better yet, that employee.

Mental shudder.

Testing the waters, I wrap my arm around his waist and squeeze back, smiling up at him. ”Back at ya.” I allow my arm to linger around his solid body, liking the feel of him very much. I expect a reaction of some sort, a change in demeanor even, maybe for him to stiffen in uncertainty or for him to give me s.e.xy eyes, but I'm shafted. I get nothing.

Friendly James is just that. Friendly. So friendly that as I reach into my pocket to get money to pay for my cupcakes, James reaches over and pays for all three boxes without ever releasing his hold on me. I'm speechless, and quite frankly, I feel slightly uncomfortable about it. That is until he pulls me closer to him and utters, ”Don't be p.i.s.sy. It's just a welcoming gift.” Nose bunched in annoyance, I glare at him. He just smirks. ”Welcome to New York.”

I take our bags full of cake and allow James to lead me out of the bakery. It's close to six pm now, and I reach into my pocket to check the subway schedule. We walk in silence until I realize I've just missed my way home. ”c.r.a.p. I gotta call my sister to come get me.”

”I can take you home.” I look up at him with a tentative look on my face. He drawls, ”That is, if it's not weird for you.”

Dude, he already knows where you live from your paperwork. What gives?

I guess so. But something feels off. My silence is making this awkward. ”Um, sure. Only if it's not out of your way.”

He asks, ”Where do you live?” I prattle off the address and he a.s.sures me, ”That's actually on my way, so no biggie.” We walk down the street to the center's parking lot. He walks over to red family sedan and unlocks it. I smile to myself. This is not the car I envisioned him having. When we're both seated, he catches my smile. ”What?”

I shake my head. ”I thought you'd have a truck, or something manly.”

He shrugs. ”This was my mom's car.” Then he grins sheepishly. ”My truck's at home.”

”I knew it!” I clap my hands together and whoop.

We drive out of the parking lot. ”Yeah, yeah. You win at life. Congratulations.”

I laugh out loud. ”Oh my G.o.d, you're, like, so funny.” As he drives, we talk about work. James explains tomorrow will be a busy day, as Wednesdays usually are. We talk, laugh, and joke, and it feels like only minutes before we're at my apartment building.

He pulls into one of the free s.p.a.ces and I free myself from the seatbelt. I smile over at him. ”Thank you so much. I had so much fun this afternoon.” I think a moment, and admit reluctantly, ”I have a lot of fun with you, James.”

”You're welcome. Anytime you need help with something or don't know where something is, let me know. I'm volunteering to show you around.” He pauses a moment before adding, ”I have a lot of fun with you too. I didn't know when I hired you I'd be making a friend.”

My heart swells. Before I have a chance to think on it, I lean forward and throw my arms around him. I hug him hard. ”Me too. And you don't know how much I needed a friend, so thank you.”

I feel him hesitate, but his arms slowly come around me. I rest my chin on his shoulder as he mutters, ”You're welcome.”

And that's about the time a harsh knock sounds at my door. My heart jumps in time with my body. I squeak and turn around to see Ash staring into the car window. I wave and smile. He doesn't smile back.

Oh h.e.l.l. He's p.i.s.sed.

The car door opens, and my cupcakes and I are pulled outside. He growls, ”Get inside. Now.”

What the h.e.l.l? Where is this coming from?

James's eyes fixate on Ash. He glowers at him and utters in false calm, ”I wouldn't do that again if I were you.” I'm so confused right now.

Asher stands just outside of the open car door. ”Mind your own f.u.c.king business, jerkoff. You make a f.u.c.king habit of driving home your employees and getting touchy with 'em in dark parking lots?”

Oh no. No, no, no, no, no, no, no! My eyes widen. I tug on Asher's arm. ”It wasn't like that, Ash. G.o.d! You don't even know him!”

But he doesn't even hear me. He grins cruelly towards James. ”I think you just lost your job, boss.” He points upward towards the security camera pointed directly at the car.

f.u.c.k! He would dare!

...would he?

Panic turns me into a crazy woman. I pull Asher back by his arm enough to get him away from the car, and then I push at his chest with all my might. He finally looks down at me with a scowl. I push him again and snarl, ”I am not my sister. You don't have the right to pull s.h.i.+t like this! Get out of here, As.h.!.+ Just leave!”

Ash just blinks at me. ”You serious? He's f.u.c.king playing you, Lena!”

My body shakes with anger. I hiss through gritted teeth, ”Not everyone is like you used to be, Ghost.”