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“Miss Cooper.” My name flows from his mouth like smooth whiskey as he pulls himself closer into his desk.
“Yes, Mr. David?” I try to maintain this confidence I’ve mustered up, but I can’t help myself from focusing my eyes on him which leads me to falter.
Suddenly all I can think about is what it would be like, to be that girl from Dakota’s story – the coworker who slept with Callan. I don’t know why, but I realize that this is going to be the hardest job I’ve ever had. Spending every day fighting my eyes to look in the other direction is definitely not going to be easy. I snap back to reality when I hear Callan’s low, deep voice continue.
“I didn’t mean any offense. I thought it might be easiest for you to take the business card to purchase your attire. It’s merely a policy that the entire team here at David Dealership expense their work clothes.” It seems like a stupid policy. Then again, I worked at a café that never once considered the amount of money I had to pay for uniform shirts.
Giselle required a lot of uniform shirts. Sometimes with different coffee quotes on the back.Here At Cocoa Café, We Love You a LatteorChill Out with an Iced Cap and Espresso Yourself. And when we got them stained, even in the slightest, we were required to buy a new one. But not once did she reimburse us. I thought it was just part of the job.
Callan looks at me while I process what he’s saying. Again, I’m overthinking his intentions. He’s not trying to be an ass; he’s just trying to run a top-notch business and by doing so he’s providing compensation to his employees for the money they have to spend on clothes. He’s literally just doing his job, and I’m over here questioning his every move.
“Well, I appreciate that. Sorry I thought otherwise,” I say, as confidently as possible, not knowing whether or not he can see through the façade I’m attempting to put on. I amanythingbut confident right now.
I can tell he’s studying me, trying to figure me out.Good luck, I still can’t figure myself out.
"So, let’s talk availability.” His full attention is turned to me now. “As my assistant, I do expect you to be here Monday through Friday. I do not come into the office on Saturdays, so I don’t expect you to be here either and Sundays we are closed.” He stares at me with a slight smile, waiting for me to confirm or reject his scheduling needs.
“I babysit, as you know, mostly Friday nights. I won’t be able to work past four on Fridays for that reason but other than that, I’m completely open every day of the week. I mean, I might have to request off some random days here and there, maybe for babysitting or other reasons, but of course I’d give you advanced notice and-” I realize I’m starting to ramble and quickly cut myself off.
A noticeable smirk rises on Callan’s lips. I don’t know what I said to make him look at me like that, but it sends a chill across my body.
He thinks over everything I just awkwardly spewed at him, looking at his computer, at the calendar, and then back at me. “I don’t see why we couldn’t make that work,” he finally answers.
“Really? Thank you.” That was easy. I really need to take a breather and stop overthinking this whole thing. But being alone with him in this office – which seems to have a broken heater – gives me butterflies.
Suddenly I’m reminded that we’re not actually alone when the sound of voices cross the hall, and a knock hits the door.
“Come in,” Callan calls over.
The door opens and in walks a man. He’s blonde, almost as tall as Callan, with blue eyes icier than mine. I see some tattoo ink peeking through from under his sleeves and he’s wearing a pair of black plastic frames over his eyes, but I can’t tell if they’re prescription or if he’s just some pretentious hipster wearing them for fashion. He’s attractive, nonetheless.
“Can I help you, Jax?” Callan asks him. But he doesn’t answer because he’s too busy staring at me.
Callan snaps at him. “Hey, do you need something?” Jax breaks out of his trance, my rosy cheeks can’t catch a break, and Callan looks frustratingly at him.
“Oh, uh, yeah. Cora needs you. Something about, um, an angry client. She tried calling, but your phone is going to voicemail,” he stumbles over his words.
“Seriously?” Callan gets up and heads over to the door, Jax moving out of the way as he passes by. He turns to me before leaving. “I’ll be right back, Miss Cooper.” Then gives Jax a hint of a death stare before leaving us alone.
“So, you’re Sterling?” Jax’s voice is low and sexy, while still being upbeat and confident, with a slight southern twang. He walks over to the desk and sits on top of it, his legs dangle right next to me as I stay seated in the chair, looking up at him.
“That’s me,” I say.
“I’ve heard so much about you,” he quips.He has? Has Callan been talking about me?“You’re too pretty to be a janitor, I see why he hired you as his assistant instead.” He looks at me up and down as he speaks, immediately bringing heat to my cheeks.
“What do you mean?”
“We were hiring for a janitorial position. I’m assuming he got one look at you and decided you’d look better as his assistant, so he gave you the position instead of giving it to Cora. She’s actually pretty pissed off to be honest. Won’t shut up about it.” He sure does like to talk. I didn’t even have to ask for this information, but I’m kind of surprised to hear it. It definitely explains why Cora looks like she wants to push me down and shake me for my lunch money every time she sees me.
“But hey,” he continues, “I’m not complaining. I’d probably do the same thing. I mean, look at you.” He rubs his finger and thumb over his chin, and I hold eye contact. I can tell he’s like Callan, smooth with his words and exuding confidence. Though he seems a bit more forthright than Callan who likes to keep his intentions secretive, tucked tight in those dark green-brown eyes of his.
“Not to come off too forward, but you seeing anyone?” he asks, and yeah, it’s a forward question but it doesn’t startle me in any way; my best friend is Dakota for goodness sakes. I’m pretty used to it.
He sits forward a little more, leaning into me just the slightest. He smellsalmostas good as Callan, but it doesn’t have the same effect on me.
“Depends,” I say, not wanting to give him as much info as he’s given me. Though there’s really no info to give. I haven’t had a boyfriend, well, ever. I’ve only had a few one-night stands that never turn into anything more.
“Well, maybe we can go out sometime.” he says as his mischievous grin grows. I sit back in my chair, trying to stay relaxed.What is happening in this place?I’ve never been so flustered in my life.
