Page 11 of Falling for my Single Dad Boss

I take a deep breath. "Yes, ma'am. Can do."

I keep smiling as she heads for the door. What is that game called with the mouthpiece that holds your lips open in a permanent smile? I've played it a few times with some friends.

Yes, you look like a deranged version of the Joker and speak like your mouth is full of marshmallows, but it would make this nonstop smiling a lot easier.

I turn to Deacon and order up another grin. This is where the mouthpiece would be useful, my cheeks already hurt. "We've been talking about doing this for a while, so I've got some mockups ready in my office. Care to come take a look? Then we can discuss where to go from there."

"Right." He's still grumbling a bit. I can tell he isn't thrilled about having to work with me, either.

“Oh, and Deacon,” his mother walks back to his side. “Clock out at five o’clock for the next few weeks. I don’t want you working day and night like you’ve been since you arrived, the way you did in New York. It’s made you far too… crabby. I want you spending time with Sasha, yes? Family and rest are important. Our staff is more than capable of handling what needs to be done."

Then she leans over to whisper, but not softly enough I can't hear. "And be sweet, my boy, I'm sure Harper doesn't want to work with a prickly cactus."

Deacon gives her a nod. I've heard all about how he was a workaholic in the big city from his parents. His hours were so ridiculous, they'd go weeks without even hearing from him. I guess that explains why he's always on edge. He was doing the same thing here, but it looks like Mrs. Reynold is going to put a stop to that. It’s a good suggestion, Sasha needs him the most right now.

"Of course, Mom, anything for you," he answers before standing to open the door for us both as we exit the room.

We walk back to my office, and he's quiet the entire way, beside me on heavy steps, staring at the ground. I'm sure not being in control is an entirely new feeling for him. I'm trying to be more empathetic to his situation and stop only thinking about myself.

I open the door to my office and head to the filing cabinet, pulling open the top drawer and grabbing the folder full of the illustrations and drafts I've made over the past few months. I wave it in the air. "In here."

Deacon follows me in, closing the door and taking a seat in the chair in front of my desk. He scans my small office space. I've done my best to add coziness with some live plants and colorful decorations, but it pales in comparison to his office, which is understandably three times the size as the owner.

Just when I think he'll put it down, he says, "This looks nice, Harper, you've really made it your own. I wouldn't mind some input on how to spruce my office up. Sasha says 'it's boring with a capital B.'" He giggles a little. I didn't see that compliment coming, nor did I think Deacon Reynolds giggled, ever. He's really taking him Mom's advice to heart.

Although I think it's definitely more Sasha's influence on him. His mood always changes when he talks about her. It's cute. She definitely helps him lighten up.

"You know, I have some couches in my office if you'd like to be more comfortable while we work." His eyebrows arch.

Ok, what is going on here? I've never seen him make that face. A giggle and then an offer to hang out on a couch together to work, is that his way of flirting? I don't recognize Deacon flirting, particularly when he was just pouting. It's very confusing.

But I can't get distracted, let's not forget the attractive leech thing. I don't need to be that close to him.

"Thanks, this is fine." I point to the printouts. "I had the digital artists mockup the designs I came up with last week. I'd like your feedback." It's not entirely true, but if he's trying, I should too. I slide the pages across the table to him.

He picks them up and examines them carefully, his ever-present scowl softening a little.

His mouth quirks as he peers at one of them and then the other. "You're going to want bigger lettering. The font's fine, but you don't want to pack too much onto the billboard. As they say, bigger is better." He looks up at me with a sly grin.

Ok. Have I suddenly been put on some sort of hidden camera gameshow where they replaced super grumpy Deacon with flirty Deacon on our walk to my office. Do I win a prize if I can tell he's not the original?

Because this is not the same guy I've been dealing with for the last few weeks or even the last few minutes for that matter. Don't get me wrong, this version is easier to work with, but it's still strange.

He taps the last image, the one for digital billboards and touch screen TV ads. "Not so much here. Have the artist simplify it and go with a bigger typeface. The photo you chose is solid, but we don't want to bog it down. Our message needs to stick. Youhave to keep the design simple. You can't overwhelm the buyer with too much information or they'll miss what's right in front of them."

"But if we only have the name of the place and the website, what's going to get them excited about coming? What's going to set it apart? Part of the draw is the fact that we have good old-fashioned Georgia country charm. We're not in Savannah or Atlanta. We give people the opportunity to get away from it all and experience the south in an idyllic setting."

Deacon brings his legs up and rests them on my desk. I fight the urge to reach out and give his shin a shove, but I don't want to bring back his onery version so I ignore it. Mrs. Reynolds asked me to give him a chance. Maybe this is how I can do that, by recognizing his competence and ignoring his feet where they don't belong. But I am definitely not buying into this flirting thing. I think he's just trying to soften me up.

I grab a pen and take note of what he said, though his suggestions haven't necessarily changed all that much. But that doesn't mean his opinion is invalid or unappreciated. I remind myself to act like a grown up, even if whatever game he is playing here has me confused. I'm sure I could lighten up a little myself.

"Buyers have a short attention span," he adds. "You have to catch them instantly."

"You're talking like this is a big city and it's not. People here are much more laid back, and they want to take in the view. The digital ads can be minimalist and classy, but the boards... We're selling paradise here. They want to see what we've got."

"Harper, I understand this is your domain, but you need to think broader. The billboards aren't going to be placed here for the locals. We're not targeting our own community. Greenwood knows we’re here. I'm thinking we should aim for the big city because we want to pull the people in from that area. They’re notgoing to slow down to read a sign jam packed with words,” he shoots back at me.

He’s quickly forgotten flirty Deacon and moved full steam ahead into competitive Deacon but that’s not all bad. I like his fire for the project. As an adult, I can see where more than one opinion can be beneficial. Yeah for maturing a little.

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