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20
Adler
I had to check in on Lily, so take a detour through the conference room. When I get there, I find her standing in the middle of the room, introducing herself loudly with enthusiasm.
I stop in my tracks and watch her with awe. The form-fitting dress she is wearing accentuates her curves, and her skin glows in the sunshine that is streaming in from the window.
She speaks with authority, her voice ringing through the room with a beautiful command. And when she finishes introducing herself, she looks around the room with a possessive gaze and a wicked smile, as if daring anyone to challenge her.
My heart pounds and my cheeks flush. That’s my girl. She is going to do great things here. Her commanding presence fills the room.
I back out of the room.We aren’t supposed to be seeing each other while in the office.
But still, I can’t help myself.
After getting back to my office, I try to focus on work and the many emails that are flooding my inbox, but I can’t.
Me: So how is your first day going?
I don’t say a word about watching her speech because she did ask me not to approach her here. I am the boss, after all, and it might look bad. Although, at some point, they are all going to find out we are dating. Someone is going to see us out at dinner, or worse.
Lily: Good. So many things to implement and so little time. Can’t believe it’s only my first day and I’ve already gotten so much done. Margaret already told me that I have already surpassed her expectations. =)
It’s important that she feels comfortable here, but also happy. Like any other employee of mine, I don’t want them to leave my company. That’s why I offer very generous salaries, plus bonuses and six weeks of vacation time. They will not find that anywhere else in this city.
Owning and running a business isn’t easy, and it takes a lot of my time, less so than when I first started, but now that I have Lily in my life, work just doesn’t seem as important. It seems like a motion and all day I can’t wait to get home to see her.
Me: So, are you coming over after work? Or are you going to your apartment?
A part of me hopes she will come to my place, but Sophie might be getting irritated that she is never home. Not that I’m complaining. I will never tell her no. My place seems brighter with her around and she will get to meet my sister.
I try to get my inbox down to under twenty before five o’clock, but failed. My phone is in my desk drawer on silent so I wouldn’t be distracted. Even though I’m madly in love with Lily, when I’m here, I need to focus on work.
When the clock read five on my computer, I shut it down and grabbed my phone out of my drawer.
Lily: Yeah, I’m coming straight there. Want me to grab something for dinner?
We are being totally domestic. It’s like we have been together for years.
Me: No, I’ll order something in. See you in a bit.
She has clarified that she doesn’t want a ride to or from work and I respect that, so I walk straight to the elevator, not even looking direct her office and ride it down with a smirk on my face.
Megan, the assistant, glances at me. “What has you so happy? I can count on my two hands how many times I’ve seen you smile since I’ve worked here. And five involved liquor at company parties.”
She is a busy body but a great employee. Megan knows when to buckle down and get things done. So, I shrug. “I’m in love. This is the new me.”
She gulps. “Wait, are you pulling my leg? Since when do you date?”
The office might not make it apparent that they have always wondered if I was going to be single for the rest of my life. I have been a bachelor for a long time, and I have dated four women in a decade and none of them ever made me feel this way. So it’s definitely a first. “Dead serious. Maybe one day you’ll meet her.”
“I’d be honored, sir.”
The elevator opens, and she skips out. “Hope you have a great night, boss!” She throws a wink over her shoulder and I laugh. “You too!”
I’m not oblivious to the women in the office, but I have never crossed that line. Even with Lily, she didn’t start at my company until after we had our first date. Thank god! It might have been different if she did.
My car is waiting for me outside the front steps and I slide inside. “Straight to the apartment, Luke. Thanks.”
