Page 37 of Small Town CEO Grump

“I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, and I hope you understand what I am about to say,” he said, his voice still low.

“Yes?”

“I am really glad you are not going to work for me anymore.”

I smiled, feeling my face growing hot. I looked him in the eye and said, just as softly, “Me too.”

He blushed, and I walked out the door.

Chapter 15

Ryan

“I think that’s everything,” Jenna said, looking around her empty office.

I could not believe how quickly the two weeks had gone by. We had hired Jenna’s replacement, and she had already done an incredible job training her.

I had stayed late to help her move all of the rest of her things out of the office, and we were finishing up.

“Oh,” I said. “I need your key.”

“Yeah, I guess I can’t really keep that, can I?” she said, laughing as she took the key off of her keychain.

“No, that probably wouldn’t be a good policy.”

I took the key from her and put it in my pocket.

“Thank you for all of your help,” she said as we started walking out.

“It is my pleasure,” I said. “And before we leave the office I want to tell you one more time how much I have appreciated everything that you have done for this company. You have made all three branches so much stronger. I know that your replacement is very competent and you have done your best to train her, but I also know you are irreplaceable.”

“Thank you,” she answered, her eyes filling with tears. “I appreciate that, a lot. Thank you for allowing me to work here, and for all of your support and flexibility. I have truly enjoyed working here.”

We looked at each other and nodded, then went out into the parking lot.

I caught my breath as I realized how beautiful she looked in the evening light. Her skin was radiant, her eyes were sparkling, and she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.

I realized that it was time to finally do something about all of the things I have been thinking and feeling over the last few months.

“So you are officially not an employee anymore, right?” I asked.

“That’s right,” she said, smiling.

“Okay, then. I have a question for you.”

“Yes?”

“Would you like to have dinner with me next Saturday evening? I would like to take you out on a date,” I said, my heart pounding.

Her face lit up, and she looked even more beautiful.

“Yes, I would love to,” she answered.

“Wonderful,” I said. I couldn’t stop smiling.

“I will ask my parents if they can watch Tyler,” she said.

“Okay, great,” I said.

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