Page 27 of Mistle-Ho

Dillon, Helen’s assistant and my biggest recent mistake, strides into the office, the remnants of his morning protein shake sloshing around the shaker cup in his hand. “We’re working through lunch today?”

Up until a few months ago, I was juggling both Grant and Helen’s needs. It wasn’t easy, but I was managing. When Grant discovered I was taking work home with me—as well as coming in early and staying late—he hired Dillon, bumping me up to the title of office manager. I didn’t complain because it came with less work and more pay.

It also came with Dillon, which I thought was a good thing at first…

“I’mworking through lunch.” Helen sorts through her mail as she passes Dillon on her way to her office, eyes never going his way. “Youcan do whatever you want.”

Dillon watches her go. Once she’s safely closed in her space he turns to me with a scoff. “What does that mean?”

“It means you can do whatever you want.” I don’t look at him either, focusing on the emails I need to respond to as he continues loitering in the main lobby instead of finding his way to his own desk.

The footprint of Grant’s accounting firm was originally two separate businesses. When we moved from his old office—in a strip mall a few blocks down—to this much larger and much nicer building a year ago, a couple walls were torn out to create the open area where I work. But the small waiting room connected to Helen’s office was left intact because it was oddly positioned and wouldn’t add any useful space to the lobby.

But it’s perfect for Dillon. When he freaking uses it.

“If I can do whatever I want, then maybe I’ll take you to lunch.” Dillon comes my way, one hand tucked in the pocket of his slacks. “Now that the holidays are over, it seems like thingshave finally calmed down in your life, so we can have that second date you promised me.”

Ugh. I knew this was coming.

Dillon had barely waited until I’d finished my coffee on our first day back after Christmas before he was sniffing around, trying to figure out how I knew Gavin and what he was to me. As much as I wanted to lie, Gavin’s too well-known for me to be able to pull it off, so I was forced to tell him the truth.

Gavin is nothing more than my brother’s best friend.

He’s also an asshole, but I left that part out.

In light of that information, I was expecting Dillon to ask me out then and there. Instead, he’s made it all the way into the second Friday of the new year before making me hurt his feelings.

Because there’s no way we were ever having a second date, and I sure as hell didn’t promise him we would. He’s not what I’m looking for. At all.

I take a deep breath before spinning in my office chair so we’re face-to-face. As if he has no idea what’s coming, Dillon perches one ass cheek on the corner of my desk, giving me a smirk. “Unless you’d rather I makeyoumy dinner.”

My stomach turns at the thought. Once upon a time, I tried to talk myself into liking this guy. Actually thought it would be relatively easy to accomplish. He’s technically good looking, with blond hair, blue eyes, and a dimple in one cheek. He’s also got a nice body and great teeth.

The only thing that’s lacking is his personality. And boy does it leave a lot to be desired. I might not be a huge talker, but I want to be with a man who listens to what I say when I do. A guy who pays attention to more than just himself.

A flash of a red and white cashmere scarf skips across my brain, the reminder of how soft it felt under my fingers makingthem twitch. I can’t believe Gavin even noticed I owned a scarf, much less the colors and patterns on it.

I mentally kick myself.

Because Gavin—and his attention to detail—is irrelevant to this conversation. And my life.

Shoving all thoughts of dark hair and broad shoulders aside, I return my attention to the man in front of me. “I’m going to have to pass.” I say it slowly, hoping it will sink into Dillon’s self-centered brain.

Proving he only listens to himself talk, the man continues on like I didn’t just try to let him down easy. “We could go to The Pearl for a nice meal, and then I can eat dessert at my place.” His hungry gaze drops to my lap like I wasn’t already picking up what he was putting down.

It’s probably an offer most women would jump on, but the mention of that act only drags my brain right back to the jerkface of a man I’ve been working hard to forget.

Freaking Gavin. Why’d he have to go and be a dick? We could have had fun together.

Plus, he owes me one.

“Still going to pass.” I say it with a little more force. If this was some guy I met at a bar or on a dating app, it would be easy to cut him loose. But I have to work with Dillon every day, so I don’t feel the least bit bad when I start stretching the truth. “I’ve got some family issues going on and it’s been a really hard time for us.”

The claim isn’t entirely false. My familyishaving issues. Thankfully I’ve managed to keep myself out of the line of fire, but Leo’s relationship with Maddie Miller is really driving a wedge between him and my parents, and it’s making shit weird.

Dillon’s jaw clenches and, for a second, I think he’s going to keep pushing, but then he reaches out to take my hand with his. “You still need to take time for yourself.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” I try to pull my hand away, but Dillon grips it tighter, forcing me to use more and more strength until it finally flies free.

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