Page 109 of All the Ugly Things
He wagged his finger at both in a mock glare. “Don’t tell her all my dirty secrets quite yet, you two.” His finger settled on Hudson. “Don’t you have somewhere else to be? A whole different floor to be on? Counting millions? Laying down the law?”
“I have no idea why I’m even friends with you,” Hudson muttered.
“I’m irresistible. Impossible not to love.”
“Incorrigible.” Sandra laughed. “Since we’re now on the ‘I’ words.”
“Who signs your paychecks?” he asked Sandra.
She shoved her thumb at Hudson. “He does.” She stuck out her tongue at Brandon while both guys laughed.
“Someday, the answer to that question will be me,” he harrumphed, feigning a pout.
“I have no doubt,” Hudson said. “And I do need to get going, but I wanted to make sure Lilly got in and found you easily today. Have a good one, okay?” he asked, looking down at me. He was so close, I wanted to reach out and hug him. Maybe kiss him.
Probably not appropriate but with the way he licked his lips as I looked at him, I figured he felt the same way.
“I will. Thank you.”
“I’ll see you soon. You’ll do great. And you—” he said to Brandon. “Be nice or you’re fired.”
“Fired my ass. I could burn the place down and David would still give me a job.”
“Let’s not try to figure out if that’s true.”
Brandon rolled his eyes and turned to me. “I’m going to let Sandra get you settled, but if you have any questions, don’t hesitate, okay?”
“Sure. Thank you.”
“No problem. Anything for family.”
He winked at Hudson before heading back to his office, plopping an earpiece back in his ear, leaving me swaying in surprise.
Family.That’s exactly how he was treating me. What did I do with that?
Once he was gone, Sandra gestured to the empty desk.My desk.
“I have files set out for you in the top left drawer. Basic paperwork and whatnot. Why don’t you get started on that, and then I’ll take you to HR for your employee photo and badge. I have a few quick things about Brandon’s schedule I have to go over with him, okay?”
“Yes. Thank you. Again.”
“Don’t thank me. I’m glad you’re here.”
She followed Brandon into his office, leaving Hudson and me alone.
“You okay?”
“I’m feeling a little bit overwhelmed in a happy way, so yeah. I’m good.”
“Good. I need to get upstairs, but let me know if you need anything?”
“Okay.”
He gave me a look I couldn’t decipher, gave me a quick scan of my clothes, my body, and when he met my eyes again, his were heated. Dark and stormy and so darn handsome.
“Have a good day.”
He spun on his heels and I stared at him until he disappeared around the corner toward the elevators.
