“Obviously, Lauren,” I grate out. “Can you just bring me in the hard copies so I can go over them?”
“Sure.” She hangs up and prints out the pages, then gets up to bring them to me right as Steven steps in her way, causing the papers to drop to the floor. She bends over to pick them up, her ass pointing straight at my office window. Steven doesn’t even notice that ass; he just helps her pick up the papers.
I groan and throw my pen down, trying to get my thoughts together so when she comes in, it doesn't show that I’m affected by her.
I adjust my cock and mentally tell him to knock it off.
The door opens and she walks in, handing me the papers. “Here you go. Do you need me to attend the meeting?” she asks, and I can’t say anything. Today, she has her hair tied up in a ponytail, and I want nothing more than to untie it so I can run my fingers through it. I just nod, pretending to review the plans.
“Fine. I’ll meet you in there. I’m going to get myself a coffee. Would you like one?” she asks me over her shoulder as she walks out of my office.
“Sure, no laxatives or breast milk, please.” I watch as she rolls her eyes. I continue to watch her as she walks past my office, a little swing in her hips and a small smile playing across her beautiful face. Like me, I know she’s thinking of that morning, that incredible morning. It feels like it was ages ago, but it’s been only four days.
Every night on my way home, I go out of my way to pass by her house just see if she is there, hoping to catch another glimpse of her. Each and every night, I wish I could text her, call her, go to see her. But I can’t.
The knock at the door jolts me out of my thoughts, and I look up to see Carmen standing there, leaning against the door jamb. “Hiyeah. I called, but you didn’t answer. Dani is here,” she informs me, and I nod as I get up, grabbing my jacket and making my way to the conference room.
Dani and Lauren are in there gabbing away about new recipes. I can’t help but notice how everyone has taken to Lauren. She gets along with everyone.
She looks over at me, feeling me staring at her. She smiles at me, her smile different than the smile she gives anyone else. It takes over her whole face, her eyes, her cheeks, and her body relaxes.
“Hey.” She points to the table. “Your coffee is there.”
Dani sees me and walks over to me, hugging me, and kisses my cheek. “Hey, there, we missed you on Sunday.” My eyes fly right to Lauren’s.
“Yeah, sorry, I was…” I don’t finish. I just look down at the pictures on the table. The restaurant is almost done. “Oh, wow, these are beautiful. I love the booths.” I look and see that the booths are exactly like I wanted them to be, but now each also has a chandelier that hangs over the center of the table that gives it the appearance of falling rain.
“Yes, that was Lauren’s idea. When she described it, I thought right away about the booths, so I told Chris. We are having a soft opening this weekend to make sure everything goes as planned, and then next weekend, it’s go-time. I have a couple of celebrities coming. I even hit up your friend, Cooper Stone, and he’s bringing his wife, Parker, with him.”
I sit in the chair, looking at the pictures, while she talks, only half listening. “So, do you have a date for this or not? I can set you up with this girl I go to Pilates with. She is very detail oriented, and she just wants a good time.”
My head snaps up, shooting straight to Lauren. “Um, no.” I see her looking down at the pad in front of her. “I’m not bringing a date.”
Dani laughs at me. “Serena will be there anyways.” My eyes leave Lauren and shoot to Dani.
“Excuse me.” Lauren pushes off from the table and walks out.
I look at Dani. “Is that all? Did we need to go over anything else?”
“No.” She looks at me then at the door that Lauren just went through. “Jesus, are you and Lauren…” She motions with her fingers.
“She works for me, so that answers your question.”
“Right.” She gathers all her papers. “I’m going to hit up John before I leave. I’ll see you Sunday?” Every Sunday, we all get together for dinner.
“I’m not sure,” I reply, because I’m hoping that Lauren quits tonight.
I walk back to my office, expecting Lauren to be there, but her computer is shut off. I check my watch and see it’s only two thirty.
I pick up my phone and call her on her cell. She picks up after the first ring. “Sorry, I’m so sorry I had to leave,” she says, almost frantically, without even greeting me.
“Is everything okay?” I’m ready to run out if she needs me.
“Yes,” she sighs. “Well, not really. I might have to call in sick tomorrow. Kaleigh has strep throat. She has a fever, and she’s at my parents’ house now, because the last thing I need is for anyone else to get sick.”
“What?” I’m trying to follow her, but she is rambling.
“Kaleigh had fever, so she went to the doctor. She has a throat infection. She is the one who watches my kids after school while I’m at work. Except, tomorrow is a staff development day, and she’s sick, so I have no other backup.”
“Okay, don’t worry about it.” I go to my computer to check my calendar, seeing that there’s nothing on my schedule till Monday. “What are you going to do with the kids tomorrow?” I ask her, not exactly sure why, but I do it anyway.
“I
