Page 8 of Bearly Frosty

“I’m glad you’ve become fast friends with Gianna.” I can’t resist the urge to lean over and place a soft kiss on her temple. Before I’m tempted to rush things, I change course. “Why don’t I show you around and get you settled in?”

“I’d like that,” she replies eagerly, shrugging off her jacket and hanging it on the rack by the door.

I walk her through the small office, showing her where everything is. “This is your desk,” I say, leading her to the spot near the window that catches the best morning light. It’s strategically placed to make her feel comfortable and welcome, and I’m pleased to see her appreciation as she looks it over.

“Perfect,” she says, running her hand over the polished wood.

We move to the back, where the storage room holds our supplies and archives. “This back here is where we keep the older files and all our extra materials. Feel free to reorganize as you see fit,” I explain, noting the urge to tidy things up just to impress her.

“I think this will work well,” she says thoughtfully. “I’ve got a few ideas already on how to streamline things.”

We return to the main office, and she takes a seat at her desk, her face animated with the excitement of starting anew. “I’ve got a few tasks to get us started,” I say, handing her a neatly written list. “Nothing too intense for your first day. Just an overview of what we’re working on.”

“Great, thank you,” she says, scanning the list. “It won’t take me too long to get set up and running.”

“I know,” I reply, leaning against the edge of her desk.

She nods, her attention focused on the tasks at hand. I watch her with my heart expanding in my chest. My bear growls possessively, wanting to close the space between us, but I clamp down on the impulse. Patience is crucial. I need her to feel comfortable here, and that starts with me giving her time to adjust.

We spend the next few hours going over various details, settling into a rhythm. She’s a quick learner, adapting seamlessly to the workflow, and I can already see the positive impact she’s going to have.

As noon approaches, I realize we’ve been working non-stop. “I think it’s time for a lunch break,” I suggest. “There’s a great place downtown I want to take you to.”

Her eyes light up. “I’d love to.”

We bundle up and step outside into the warmer air. Glacier Pass is stunning with its emerald green valleys and the snow-covered mountains off in the distance, standing tall and regal against the clear blue sky. With Emilia beside me, everything seems even more vibrant.

We reach the small diner that serves as a community hub of sorts. The warm, rustic interior is inviting, and I lead her to a corner booth that offers a view of the busy streets. The waitress recognizes me and comes over with a friendly smile, handing Emilia a menu.

“I already know what this big lug is going to order,” Jolene tells Emilia before turning to me. “I heard you’d hired a new employee.” The fucking town grapevine has been working overtime.

“That’s right,” I tell her. “This is Emilia, my mate and office manager.” I want every motherfucker in town to know my mate is off-limits. Telling the town gossip is the best way to get this done efficiently.

Emilia takes my announcement in stride and runs with it. “I’ll have a double cheeseburger and fries, please.”

“I’ll get that order right in.” The waitress nods and heads off, leaving us in the cozy booth.

“This place has the best cheeseburgers,” I assure her.

Her blue eyes light up. “I freaking love cheeseburgers.”

As we wait for our food, the conversation naturally shifts away from work. “So, how do you like Glacier Pass so far?” I ask, wanting to make sure my mate is comfortable.

“It’s wonderful,” she admits. “It’s so different from the city. More peaceful, slower-paced. People are friendlier, too. It feels like I’m where I’m supposed to be.”

Her words echo what I feel, and I almost fist-bump the air as relief cuts through me. It takes every ounce of control to keep my bear from reacting. “I’m glad to hear that. I know it’s a big change.”

The food arrives and we eat in comfortable silence for a while, savoring each bite.

“Thank you for giving me the time and space to settle in. It means a lot.”

“You don’t have to thank me, little goddess. I’ll do whatever it takes to make you happy.”

Our eyes meet, and for a moment, I’m acutely aware of the chemistry flowing between us. My polar bear pushes forward again, urging me to close the distance, but I hold back, not wanting to scare her off. There’s a lot riding on my patience.

We finish lunch and head back to the office. The afternoon is filled with more work, but it flows easily, Emilia taking on each task with enthusiasm. By the end of the day, we’ve covered a lot of ground and I can see she’s settling in well.

“Well, that’s a wrap for today,” I say finally. “You did great. This place already feels more organized with you here.”

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