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I knew lavender was her favorite color. That was why everything in the gift bag was lavender. The silk dress, the scented candles, the necklace, and diamond ring—even the wrapping paper.
“This is so thoughtful, Chandler. Thank you so much.”
This time, maybe because it was after work, I got a hug. A hug that lingered. A hug that reminded me of how perfectly she felt against my body.
She was the first to pull away, naturally. I pulled her seat back for her and helped her sit down. Once I was seated, I poured us both a glass of the champagne that had already been on the table awaiting our arrival.
“I think this is the first time we’ve had dinner together at home,” she said. “Usually, if we eat together, it’s breakfast or lunch, and we’re talking about work unless we’re on a trip.”
“Will this be awkward for you?”
Cheyanne shrugged. “I doubt it. More than anything, I wonder what we’ll have to talk about.”
“We talk about stuff outside of work, Chy.”
“What do we talk about? And I mean actually talk about—not you flirting with me.”
I couldn’t deny that as I bobbed my head and held back my laughter. “We’ve talked about ourselves, you’ve told me about your grandfather, and I’ve told you about my family. We’ve discussed hobbies and interests. Whatever comes up in that moment.”
“That’s true. I don’t know. It’s not awkward, but it feels like something we shouldn’t be doing.”
“Is it really because you’re concerned about the topics we’d have to discuss, or because you’re concerned you’re going to realize it’s okay to like me?” She twisted her mouth to the side and squeezed the back of her neck. “Yeah, that’s what it is. You think this kind of stuff is going to make you like me.”
“It’s not that.”
“Then what is it?”
“I just… never want us to cross any lines.” Her expression turned serious, and her voice softened. “If you understood what this job meant to me, you’d understand why I never want to risk it becoming tainted or having to leave. So… maybe it’s a defense, but it’s for a very good reason.”
Her answer made me hate I even allowed the conversation to take this turn. Now, no matter how much I wanted to buck, I’d have to be on my best behavior. That didn’t stop me from saying, “If you opened up to me more, maybe I could understand a little better. I feel the chemistry and attraction between us, no matter how much you deny it. Whatever reason you have to ignore it, I’m sure it makes sense to you. I just wish I knew so it could make sense to me too.” Sitting back in my seat, I sighed heavily. “Regardless, that’s not what this dinner is about. This dinner is about us celebrating you working for CJ Enterprises for two years. If it makes you more comfortable for us to talk about random things or work, I’m more than okay with that.”
The last part of my statement caused her to perk back up, and even though it was the opposite of what I wanted to discuss, I’d talk about anything if it kept her happy.
“Really?” she asked.
“Really.”
“Yay, because I really want to talk about the meeting you had earlier. Can you believe Oakland tried to double the offer…”
Her words went in one ear and out of the other as I stared at her lips. I took the safe route of nodding and offering the occasional hum to show I was listening and interested. Truth was, we could have sat here in silence, and I’d be at peace just having her here with me.
“Chandler, this is too…”
“Nothing is ever too much for you. This is the last gift, though. I promise.”
Cheyanne chuckled as she got back into the car. I’d had Stan put her last gifts in her seat while we were in the restaurant. There were two Birkin bags and twenty-two thousand dollars in cash waiting for her as the final gifts to show my appreciation.
“You spoil me,” she muttered, running her fingers over the mauve lavender bag before doing the same to the pink one.
“You deserve it.”
She leaned across the seat and placed a kiss to the corner of my mouth before wiping it away. “You’re the best, Mr. Jones. I hope you never change. You’re going to make some woman very, very happy.”
I’d been on my best behavior during dinner, but I couldn’t resist saying, “If you stop being so scary, that lucky woman could be you.”
She didn’t reject the statement, which was a surprise. Instead, she looked out of the window with a smile, and I was completely okay with that.
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