That done, I grab the remote, turn off the TV, and push the button that turns on the stereo. Soft jazz floats out through the hidden speakers.
“You can leave the TV on,” she offers.
“Nah, it’s fine,” I tell her. “I can catch the highlights show later.”
I fix a cup of tea for myself and drop down onto the couch across from her. She sips her tea, looking everywhere except at me, which makes me even more curious.
“You have a beautiful place,” she remarks.
“Thanks,” I reply. “I actually just bought the one next door, and I’m planning on knocking down the wall over there and enlarging this place.”
She looks to the wall in the dining room I’m pointing to and nods. “That’s going to be a lot of room for one person.”
“I like to spread out.”
She giggles and sips her tea. I watch her for a moment, and about the only word I can use to describe her in the moment is – awkward. And not the sort of awkwardness that sometimes exists between us. This is different. It’s like she has something to say but is afraid to say it. It’s apparently going to take some prodding to get it out of her.
“I’m glad you came by,” I start. “But what’s the occasion?”
She takes another sip of her tea and sets the cup down on the coffee table in front of her, then leans back and crosses her legs and folds her hands in her lap. Berlin chews on her bottom lip and seems to be pondering what to say.
“I – I guess I’ve been doing some thinking,” she starts. “I mean, I had a talk with my best friend the other day, and she gave me some food for thought.”
“Yeah? And what did you think about?”
“I think – I think I want to accept your offer,” she says tentatively. “If it’s still on the table.”
“Of course it’s on the table,” I respond. “And I’m really happy to have you coming on board, Berlin.”
She holds a finger up. “Before we spit on our palms and shake on it –”
“I haven’t closed a deal like that since I was twelve years old,” I laugh.
“Regardless, before we close this deal, so to speak, I have a couple of conditions.”
I arch my eyebrow. “Conditions, huh?”
She cocks her head and grimaces. “More like – a couple of suggestions, perhaps.”
“I’m listening.”
I sit back and take a drink of my tea, waiting for her to elaborate on her – suggestions. I’ll make a show of it just to make her sweat, but I don’t think there’s anything she can ask of me that I won’t give her.
“Well – this thing between us – I mean, it’s more than obvious that I like you, Sawyer. And I don’t think I’m out of line to think there’s something between us, right?”
“You’re not out of line at all,” I assure her. “And I would hope that given how hard I’ve been chasing you, that you know I care about you as well.”
She gives me a small smile. “Even knowing that, it can’t happen –”
“Berlin, let’s not rush into anything –”
“Hear me out before you say anything.”
I nod. “Apologies. Please, continue.”
“What I was going to say was I don’t want to give up what we have between us,” she goes on. “Not until we explore it and figure out what it is. I really think we have the chance to build something special.”
I open my mouth to tell her I want and believe the same thing, but then close it again, not wanting to interrupt her again.
“But we can’t be that way at work. I don’t want any special privileges, I don’t want special treatment,” she tells me. “I want to earn anything I get. I don’t want to be known as the girl who’s only here because she’s sleeping with the boss. In fact, I don’t want anybody to even know we’re dating.”
I screw up my face as if I’m pretending to think about it. “Fair enough. That’s understandable.”
“I’m serious,” she presses me. “No hand holding, no hugging, no kissing – no nothing at the office.”
“Quickies in the supply closet?”
She arches her eyebrow at me. “Seriously?”
“What? You didn’t explicitly list it,” I object. “I just want to make sure the ground rules are clear.”
Berlin laughs, and it’s a beautiful sound, like crystal windchimes clinking in the breeze. Her smile lights up the room in ways no fire in the fireplace or lamp ever could. It’s warm, inviting, and sexier than I can even say.
“Just for the sake of clarity, there will be no quickies in the supply closet.”
I sigh dramatically. “I’m starting to think maybe this isn’t going to work out after all.”
She laughs again. “You are absolutely awful.”
“Believe it or not, you’re not the first person to tell me that.”
“Oh no, I believe it,” she replies. “I absolutely, one hundred percent believe it.”
“Did you have any other demands, you damn extortionist?” I tease.
She purses her lips and pretends to think about it. “Other than what you already promised me – free rein to come and go as I need to, you’ll double my salary and give me full bennies right away.”
“Did I say double?” I feign confusion. “I don’t recall saying double.”
“Oh, that’s right, you said triple,” she giggles. “But, you should know better than to negotiate with a lawyer.”
I hold up one hand in protest. “Double it is.”
We both fall silent for a moment, each of us taking a sip of our tea. The awkwardness has faded, but there’s a residual energy charging the air between us. It carries a sense of anticipation. I lick my lips to moisten them and drain the last of my tea to quench my suddenly dry throat as I take Berlin in from
