Page 68 of Honor

“Norbeta made them, “ I tell him, even though it’s clearly noted on the card I left near the plate of cookies.

“She took baking lessons.” He smiles.

“Norbeta did?”

He laughs. “Technically, Reid arranged for her to take baking lessons a month or so after she retired. I can’t say for certain that she showed up for them.”

“I’d guess no.” I grin. “I’d still give her an A for effort.”

“You’re too kind.” He fills a mug with coffee from a pot I suspect was brewed hours ago. “Did she bring those in, or did Reid send you to pick them up?”

It’s a fair question since my boss has sent me to Norbeta’s apartment in the past to pick up baked goods or books she’s loaned to him since they share the same love of thrillers.

“She brought them.” I glance at the cookies. “She’s with Reid now.”

“She can’t let go of this place.” He pours some cream into his coffee from a small carton that has been in the fridge all week.

“Are you sure that’s not sour?” I approach where he’s standing, ready to take control of the cream carton so I can give it a smell test.

He does that himself. “Smells fine.”

I still take the carton from him to shove it back in the fridge. “I don’t know Norbeta very well, but I like her.”

“I know her pretty well, and I still like her,” he jokes. “She’s like family to Reid.”

That reminds me of what Lottie told me about Reid’s family before she realized I work for him. I had no idea that his parents were both gone. That thought almost brings tears to my eyes because I know I’ll be a mess when my mom and dad pass away.

Baden tugs on one of the lapels of his suit jacket. “I’ve got a meeting across town soon, so I have to take off. Spare the rest of the company the misery of those cookies, Evie. No one will know if you trash them now.”

I laugh. “I’ll know.”

He stares down at me. His gray eyes study my face carefully. “You’re a better soul than I’ll ever be, and you’re way too good to be Reid’s executive assistant forever.”

“Forever is a long time,” I whisper.

I’m tempted to tell him that my ultimate goal is to work in marketing for a Fortune 500 company. Baden, like Reid, has endless connections in this city, but if I confess that I plan on leaving Vidori within the year, he’ll tell my boss.

I know that for a fact.

“Indeed it is.” He grins. “My door is always open if you want to talk about a future beyond your current role in the company. Cleo started in a junior position, and is about to leap into something beyond her wildest dreams.”

I nod because I know exactly what he’s talking about.

“Keep that to yourself.” He warns me with a playful wag of his finger. “At least until the end of today.”

I mime locking my lips with a key that I pretend to toss over my shoulder.

“Toss Norbeta’s cookies wherever the hell you threw that imaginary key.” He chuckles. “Your co-workers will love you for it.”

They already love me. Well, most of them do. I don’t know exactly what Mr. Hunt feels for me. I know it’s not love, but there’s a possibility he likes me, and I’m beginning to suspect that it has nothing to do with the fact that I’m a great assistant.

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Reid

It’s not justone unexpected visitor who disrupts my day. It’s two.

Just as Basil’s SUV takes off from the curb with Norbeta inside, I spot Randall getting out of a taxi not more than twenty feet away from where I’m standing outside the building that houses my office.

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