Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 22036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 110(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 110(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
How is he interested in me?
He covered her knee with his hand as if sensing that her thoughts had turned negative. Tim tightened his grip in a quiet warning.
“Can you tell me what you envision for Edgewater Industries, Easton?” he asked when the conversation came to a lull.
“Business-wise, I want to place the company in the top tier of international businesses. Personally, I’m thrilled to see the employees who support the company reaching the height of their possibilities. I’m not just talking about work.”
“Be careful, he may just take over the world,” Piper chirped.
“It sounds like I need to up my game to make sure you’re ready to ship to all corners of the globe,” Tim suggested.
“We needed that yesterday,” Elaine confirmed. “Our shipping has definitely restricted the expansion plans.”
“I would like to thank you for bringing me on board,” Tim said quietly. “I was very loyal to my last company. Unfortunately, they were not willing to help me continue to serve their needs. I promise to work hard to support Edgewater Industries.”
“No thanks are needed,” Easton assured him. “Did you know you were my corporate headhunter’s first acquisition?”
“I didn’t know that. Sharon has been amazing to work with.”
“I was glad to help you acclimate here. I think Aspen had a bigger role in helping you settle into place than I did,” Sharon pointed out.
“I researched after closing time but didn’t find any regulations barring fraternization between employees,” Tim said, carefully.
Aspen held her breath. She knew he was correct to ask, but they’d just found each other. She didn’t want to be separated from him.
“We do not evaluate our employees’ private lives. We only ask that you dedicate yourself to the position that you’ve earned. Anything that happens outside those activities is in the hands of the two consenting adults,” Sharon said quickly. “You can see we live by that philosophy.” She wafted her hand toward the couples sitting at the table.
Relaxing slightly, Aspen placed her hand over Tim’s on her knee. It was going to be okay.
“Happy employees stay productive. If you have found someone who fits perfectly into your life, I wish you my congratulations,” Easton said, raising his glass to toast the newest couple.
“Thank you, Easton.” Tim spoke from the heart as he interlaced his fingers with Aspen’s, squeezing her hand. “Now, I understand this restaurant is special to many of you. Anyone want to share recommendations for dinner?”
“Steak Oscar!”
“Lobster mac and cheese.”
“Anything!”
Laughter encircled the table as everyone called out their favorites. Aspen and Tim bent over the menu, discussing different suggestions. She loved being close to him. Even in a group, Aspen felt like he focused on her. She’d never been someone’s center of attention. It was a heady sensation.
By the time the group had completed dinner, she felt at ease. As they waited for their cars to be brought around, the conversation was familiar, as if they’d been friends for years. Knox and Sharon claimed she, Tim, and Boston for the ride back to the Edgewater Industries campus.
As they stepped out of the car in front of Tower B, Tim shared their thanks for allowing them to carpool together. After waving goodbye, Tim wrapped an arm around Aspen’s waist to hug her to his side.
“I need to see to Boston and give him some exercise. I don’t want to say goodnight to you yet,” he shared.
“It’s still early. Shall I go get changed and then come up to your room in a half hour?” she proposed.
“Yes,” he answered, simply giving her a squeeze. “Get comfortable.”
“Beware. I might just show up in my pajamas,” she joked.
“I can live with that,” he answered, before winking at her. “Go on, Little girl. Thirty minutes or I come looking for you.”
With an eep, she turned and hurried away. Pausing at the door, she looked back to find Tim leaning over Boston to remove his harness. She could hear him praising the dog as he pet his service animal. The two were an impressive combination.
Kinda like him and me.
She liked having a deadline. It would never take her thirty minutes to change and get up to his apartment but knowing he would come looking for her thrilled her deep inside. Rushing into her apartment, she dropped her purse on the entry table and walked into her bedroom.
Did she dare wear her pajamas to his apartment? Hers were soft and roomy. She stepped out of the fashionable pumps and kicked them out of the way. Contorting her shoulders, Aspen managed to unzip her dress. With a relieved sigh, she dropped it to the floor. Daringly, she unfastened her bra and dropped that into the laundry basket. He couldn’t see clearly, so he’d never know, right?
Returning to the bedroom, she glanced longingly down the hall. Could she take a quick shower? Aspen didn’t want to risk being late. Rummaging through her drawer, she pulled out a fresh pair of pajamas and shook the wrinkles out. She loved the pastel ice cream decorations.