Page 12 of Her Holiday Heartthrobs

I am not so innocent. Too tightly wound from this morning to curb my sass. I have a habit of poking bears. The moment gives me déjà vu of the night I made myself a single mother.

Jake leans back in his chair, fingers pressing together in front of his nose. He stares like he can see right through me.

It’s not in my nature to back down, so we stay like this longer than we should. The twist in my gut tightens before Jake clears his throat. “Happy to be of help, Miss Monroe.”

I can’t cut off the smile quickly enough, but I nod and take my exit before I make this even more awkward.

Marching back toward my office, Henry’s assistant, Sabrina, waves for my attention. Weaving to her desk, I share the smile she offers me.

“I’m placing an order for lunch. Silver Diner. What can I get you?” Sabrina’s fingers sit poised on her keyboard, back straight. She matches the image of Rockwell International perfectly and I wish I was as put together as her.

With a three-year-old at home, it’s never going to happen. My shoulders slump a little, and her nose wrinkles in delight.

“You’ve never been? It’s so good. I only get it when the guys treat.”

That perks me up a little. “Why don’t you get me whatever your usual is. I’m betting you have superb taste.”

Sabrina’s cheeks flush, and a confident smile fills out her entire face. Maybe she and I can be friends. I don’t have many.

Well, I have Jackie.

“You won’t regret it.” Then, she leans in conspiratorially. “And you don’t have to be scared of Henry. He’s a big teddy bear. A sweet and caring boss.”

I’m not sure why her saying so strikes me oddly, but it does. I already know not to be scared of him. What I am is embarrassed and pissed the hell off to be in this situation with him. But I nod and say, “Good to know.”

I point toward my office awkwardly as a way of saying I need to go, and Sabrina gives me her cute smile again. “I’m gonna?—”

“I’ll bring over lunch when it arrives.”

“Thanks.” And I speed my way to my office before Henry comes to interrupt. I have so much to do yet. Wired from the last few hours, I sit at my new desk and unlock my computer with the username and password HR gave me.

Diving into work comes easy when I have so much buzzing through my brain. It’s easy to dump it all out, group things together and process a quick outline for my ideas. And I’m so lost in my work that I don’t hear someone coming into my office as much as Ismellit.

I look up from my growing document to see Sabrina carrying in a bag.

“Lunch is here. Sorry to interrupt, but you were deep in thought.” She places the bag on the table between the guest chairs opposite me, and she pulls out a carton and utensils.

I take it, and she hovers.

“I want to see what you think.”

I crack it open with a little unabashed glee. The top of a pie greets me, and the scent of chicken and butter gravy hits me. My first bite is decadent, and I groan, covering my mouth.

Sabrina’s laugh is joyous. “Good. You mind if I?” She points to the seat and her own lunch.

“Yes. Please.”

She settles, and we share a lot of moans and mouthfuls before either of us slows enough to talk. If I’ve learned one thing, it’s to ask people about themselves. Sabrina has been Henry’s administrative assistant for the last six years while she was attending SUNY Stony Brook online, which is impressive.

I get it. Having two full-time jobs is hard as hell.

She talks a lot about how helpful Henry was and mentions Eli and Jake several times by first name, but for some reason, that doesn’t feel natural for her. Not that I have anything to say about it though. Being new to the office and all.

When a half hour is up, I close my carton, which she picks up on in an instant.

“Listen to me, talking nonstop. I’m sure you have work to get back to. And I know you don’t have an assistant currently, so if you need any help while you adjust, don’t be afraid to let me know.”

Sabrina is smart, quick to read situational cues, and she trots out before I have a real chance to thank her again.

---