Tom scowled and took a swig of his coffee. I imagined it didn’t taste the best now that it was thirty minutes old and starting to chill. My coffee was already almost cold too but was still pressed to my lips to hide the continued smile. I liked Parker a lot more than I should have.
“Let’s just focus on the copy.” Tom set the cup down and picked up the draft file, studying it. The way it craned in the air provided a shield for Parker, who rolled his eyes and shook his head. It made me snicker, and Tom dropped the paper instantly, glaring at me.
“Sorry, sir.” I straightened in the chair. My thoughts went to Gretchen and Jack and how she’d been fired following an incident where everyone suspected them of having sex on company property.
I locked eyes with Parker, and a knowing look passed between us. He wasn’t just complimenting my talent and skill as a journalist. I could see the desire in his eyes, the way his tongue drew across his bottom lip seductively as Tom held the paper back in front of his face and continued reading.
Parker did not look away. Not when I glanced down at my hands then back up at him. Not when I swallowed nervously. Not when I felt my cheeks burning hotter than they had all morning so far. When I finally had the guts to really look him in the eye, my body was flustered and I thought I might vomit.
“I, uh… I need to use the ladies’ room. I’ll be right back.” I stood and picked up my coffee, not realizing I hadn’t even taken my computer bag off my shoulder yet. I almost tipped over as I stood and the heavy bag weighed me down, and Parker smirked. He seemed to get a kick out of my nerves, but it wasn’t embarrassing. It was more like having a secret between the two of us that Mr. Green couldn’t know about. I felt a rush of adrenaline and winked at him before I walked out, not even pausing to see what his reaction was. Though I felt eyes on my backside as I walked away.
I was flirting with my boss.
Not just making eyes at him and hoping he noticed that I blushed because of his compliments—actual eye-winking, attention-grabbing flirting. My heart raced. I hadn’t felt this alive in years. When I stepped into the bathroom and locked the door, I leaned back against it and squealed. He liked me, and not just as an employee. I could see it all over his face. He wanted me.
I let my mind wander for a bit before relieving my bladder of the pressure of too much coffee. Mr. Danvers was easily almost twenty years older than me. What would people think? What would my father think? I stared at myself in the mirror as I washed my hands. I was a beautiful woman with a lot to offer. It didn't matter what people thought. All that mattered was whether the two of us thought it would work. And I was willing to give it a shot, even if it was forbidden.
6
PARKER
Iswiped across my phone screen and ended the call I’d been on with David. Snow had blanketed the entire city and continued to fall. I’d already called a remote workday for everyone tomorrow. Even in Chicago where we got several feet of snow every year, we couldn’t be too safe. Only the essential people would have to report to work after this storm, at least for one day.
I looked up at the building where Michael was diligently shoveling snow in front of the entrance. He’d continue for the next few hours as snow fell, but even he would tire and head home. I’d have to call the snow removal company to come make sure the sidewalks didn’t ice up and cause a potential fall hazard. It was one of the challenges of winter in the Windy City.
“Take me home, Gordon.” I pocketed my cell phone and laid my head back on the head rest. As my eyes shut, I felt the car begin moving, only to jar to a stop at the thud of a collision. I snapped up, my eyes locking on the front windshield where a blue sedan appeared to be pushed sideways by the front of my car.
“Oh, Christ. I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t see it. It’s snowing so hard, I’m practically blind out here.” Gordon shifted into park and tried to open his door, but it was pinned shut.
“Alright, let me go see what the damage is.” Shaking my head, I opened the back door and stepped out into the weather. Thankfully, it wasn't as windy as it was cold. Snow crunched under my feet as the muted sounds of passing cars met my ears. It was strange how even the noisiest traffic seemed to be silent when snow fell, creating a natural damper for every vibration.
I strolled up to the blue sedan expecting a loud, angry driver to climb out of the car. The front left corner of my car had left a giant scrape and dent down the passenger side of the sedan. The mirror was busted, and the front headlight was shattered. I rolled my eyes. Accidents happened. I just didn’t have the time or energy for this today, and all I wanted to do was head home for a drink and a cigar.
The driver’s side door opened and someone climbed out, their back to me. It appeared to be a petite woman with a thick black coat, hood pulled up. “I’m sorry, Miss. My driver didn’t see you. I apologize profusely. This weather is?—”
“Mr. Danvers?” Haley’s pink cheeks and nose surprised me as she folded the furry hood back and pushed hair out of her face with her leather-gloved fingers. “This is your car?”
“Yes, well, Gordon brings the car up for me every day after work.” I looked down at the damage on her car and knew it was only cosmetic. “My insurance will cover this. Don’t worry about a thing. This is totally my fault.”
Haley stood there shivering, dusting the snow off her shoulders as it fell. “I should move my car out of the street. It’s too hectic to worry about a police report. I trust you have insurance.” She smiled and ran back to her car. I glanced at Gordon, who cringed at the sound of metal on metal as shepulled away and parked in front of him. He offered an apologetic look and rolled the window down.
“I’m so sorry, sir.”
I leaned into the window and sighed. “It’s nothing a little body work can’t handle. Keep the car warm. I’m going to take Ms. Spencer into the restaurant there, and we’ll exchange insurance information. Not sure how long it will take.” I patted the door as I stood.
“Sure thing, sir.” Gordon rolled the window up, and I turned to see Haley approaching, purse in hand. She extended her insurance card toward me, and I nodded at the restaurant door.
“It’s too cold to do this out here. Let’s duck in there and take care of business.” The sky was growing dim. Four p.m. on any given day during the middle of February was sunset, which meant darkness would only consume the street the more we stood shivering. Haley nodded and led the way, and I followed, glancing back at her beaten up car one more time.
The restaurant was warm and loud, a stark contrast to the muffled traffic sounds. I peeled the scarf off my neck and unbuttoned my trench coat. Haley left hers on and spun around expectantly with her card in hand.
“I think it’s easiest if we just take a picture of the information. Faster that way.” The way her skin blushed due to the cold air was adorable. Her lips looked dry. It made me want to lean down and kiss her, feel the texture of them against mine, perhaps soothe the chapped ache she felt. Ever since the other morning when she winked at me, I couldn’t get her out of my head.
“How about a drink?” The host approached, and I nodded, holding up two fingers to him.
“I, uh… I mean, it will just take a second to exchange information.” She hesitated, looking around the dining room.
“Don’t be naïve, Haley.” My concentrated gaze lingered on her lips. I stepped forward to allow more guests into the waitingarea, and it put me so close to her, I could smell her perfume. “Let’s get a drink.” I lowered my voice to a near whisper and said, “I think we both need a moment to gain our composure after the accident.”
