Page 13 of A Crane Family New Year

“I don’t know if I run it. I mean, she is still involved, even as a new mom.”

“Aric is a beautiful baby.”

“Isn’t he?” Her entire face softened. “Isa and Eli had some hurdles at the beginning, which makes Aric’s arrival that much more special.” After a beat, she said, “I used to refer to Eli as Cranky Crane—not to his face.”

“Ha.” Zander grinned. The moniker suited his cousin. “Appropriate. So, you’re a manager?”

“President, technically. Ugh, I don’t know if I earned it. That’s a big title.”

“It’s an honor. Don’t be humble about it. Most people are stuck in middle management for their entire career. You’re at the top.”

“Thanks. I guess it feels like cheating. I love what I do, and it comes easy. Not many people are so lucky.”

“Hardly any, in fact.” He’d left his corporate job to start his own company because he didn’t enjoy working for an entity.

“I used to be a personal assistant before I started working with Isa as her PA. Almost immediately she gave me more responsibility. I took to it, management. I like helping others, but the corporate dicks I worked for wore on me, you know?” Her eyes jerked to his and then away as her fair skin turned a lovely pink color.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to infer that you or your cousins were corporate dicks.” She squeezed her eyes closed and gave an adorable headshake. “Also, sorry I said the word dicks. What’s that, three times now?”

“I wasn’t counting.” He chuckled.

“Actually, I’m not sorry. I promised myself I wouldn’t apologize to you again.”

He was at once bemused by her and eager to learn more about her. She was so unlike the woman he’d been married to for five years. Emily had been proper and quiet, her comments thought out thoroughly before spoken. He’d loved that about her.

Contrarily, Chloe seemed to blurt out whatever was on her mind before she’d thought about it only to backpedal later. He would have thought that attribute wouldn’t appeal, but he’d been nothing short of intrigued by her since she’d swiped his champagne flute.

“You’re right. There is no need to apologize for anything. Not for stealing my drink, or saying the word dicks.”

“Look who’s not as proper as they seem.”

“Only on the outside.” He was enjoying speaking with her immensely. She wasn’t overly flirtatious, but even this tepid conversation held the potential for more.

“So, you mentioned recently moving here.”

“Technically I moved back. I was born in Chicago. Were you born and raised here?”

“East Coast.” She threaded her arms through his coat and then rested her hand on his forearm once again. He liked that she was comfortable touching him. And she smelled incredible—a spicy scent that reminded him of fruit and cinnamon. They arrived at a staircase that descended into murky darkness. “I think we’re lost again. Should we call for help?”

He was enjoying himself far too much to suggest returning to the party. He suspected she’d clam up again, or worse, avoid him, if they went back now. “We could, or…”

“Or?” Her reddish-brown eyebrows lifted with the corners of her lush mouth. He instantly wondered if her lips felt as soft as they looked.

“Or.” He cleared his throat. “We can snoop a bit. We might find treasure.”

“I can’t resist the temptation to lurk around. I’ve never been here before.” Her grin, filled with mischief, sent his heart into his throat. What was it about this woman that pulled him in? “Shameless, aren’t I?”

One can hope.

“But since you suggested it, I can assuage my guilt,” she said. “You’re related to him. He can’t be mad at you, right?”

“I will take full responsibility if we are busted for trespassing.”

“In that case, shall we descend into the unknown?” She bit her bottom lip as she peered at the darkened staircase.

“I’m sure they’ll send a search party if things don’t work out.”

“Oh, good.” She found and flipped on a light switch that illuminated the stairwell. “I really like dogs.”

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