Page 9 of Enchanting the CEO

Leo was excellent at what he did, but this was a challenge. Stockbridge was tiny. There wouldn't be many properties that fit my requirements and didn't have any zoning restrictions.

"I'm on it."

“Thanks.”

We'd often vacationed with Mom in Stockbridge in the summer, and some of my happiest memories were from that village, especially the botanical garden.

She even confessed during our last summer there that maybe after we were grown and out of the house, she’d open a hotel there, but she never got the chance to do it. I liked the idea of fulfilling that wish of hers.

After ending the call, I got into my Mercedes SUV and headed straight to Celia’s place.

I'd never been in this neighborhood before and didn’t realize it was so far away from the bar. How the hell did she get home after work? I didn't know if she had a car or not, and I didn't like the idea of her taking public transportation that late in the night.

When I arrived at the address, I found a parking spot opposite her building. I buzzed Celia on the intercom, and she let me in.

She lived on the second floor. When I reached her door, I rang the bell and then glanced around, noting that there were four other units on the floor.

Suddenly the door opened, and although I'd expected to see Celia, I came face-to-face with Diane.

Her eyes widened in surprise. She was wearing short pants and a yellow pinstriped top and looked adorable.

“Gabe!" she exclaimed.

Fuck! I couldn’t stop imagining those long legs wrapped around my torso.

I cleared my throat and asked, "Celia didn't tell you I was coming?"

"She did but didn’t specify to me when.”

"Gabe, hi, come in,” Celia said, walking up behind Diane. “Thank you so much for coming. Right this way."

The place looked welcoming, but it was tiny.

"Celia, how do you get home after work?" I asked.

"Oh, there's a T-station about five minutes away. It's perfect.”

I groaned. "Why didn't you tell me? From now on you can take an Uber and expense it to me."

Diane’s mouth fell open.

"You are the most generous boss I've ever met,” Diane said.

Celia shrugged. "That’s very kind, Gabe. But not necessary. Nothing’s ever happened. And anyway, I have Mace with me.”

Diane whipped around to look at her. “You're carrying Mace? You didn't tell me that."

Celia shrugged. "Why do you think I was so blasé last night when that drunk guy was loitering around us?"

Diane shook her head. "Oh, Celia."

"You expense it to the company. And yes, before you ask, this is what I offer all my employees when they work late.”

“Yeah, for a manager,” Celia countered.

"All employees. I offered that to the guys, too, but they all drive to work.” I found it easier to ignore my dirty imagination if I focused on Celia instead of Diane. I'd never, not once, had the impulse to flirt with Celia, but it was taking all my self-restraint to behave around Diane.

"All right, what's with the bookcase?" I asked. “Where is it?”

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