Page 25 of Grump and Grumpier

“A preschool and NSFW mashup?” I suggest.

The singing fades away and so does our laughter, but Owen keeps his hand on me for a moment longer. He gives my arm a light squeeze before he pulls back.

He’s flirting. It’s obvious, but I don’t want to encourage it, because I wouldneverfraternize with a coworker. Not me. And definitely not a boss, either. And absolutely, positively, not two bosses.No, I’d never do that.

“I’d better get back to work,” I tell Owen. “Besides, I don’t think I want to hear the next song.”

“No? I’m guessing it will be either country and western or a Gregorian chant.”

I shake my head and snicker as I turn to go.

I end up staying late in order to meet with Derek and Jansen again, so I can get their signoff on my staffing plans. They both look like they’ve had a very busy day and are even grumpier than the last time I saw them.

Standing in front of Jansen’s desk, I slide my list toward him. “Here’s the list of positions that need to be filled, and my priority ranking for filling them.”

His smokey green eyes fixed on me, Jansen says, “I’d like to putyouin a position over this desk and fillyou.That’smypriority.”

I blink at him, my eyes wide. Apparently, I’m not the only one with a filthy mind.

“That’s not happening again,” I say, nudging the paper closer to him and aligning it with the edge of his desk blotter. “I’d also like you both to review the job descriptions I’ve drafted.”

Derek’s standing beside the desk, his eyes roaming places they shouldn’t be.

I can’t be mad at them, because even though I won’t let it happen, I’d very much like to do what Jansen is suggesting. I thought that being with Derek that last time would work all the horniness out of my system, but it didn’t work that way. Quite the opposite.

And the chance to be withbothof them again has me physically aching, but there’s an angel sitting onmy shoulder whose sweet singing is drowning out the devil’s urgings.

“Show us your lingerie, Miss Flores.” It’s Derek now, looking positively lascivious.

“It’s very basic today. Plain and white. You’re not missing out on anything.”

“Oh, I’m sure that’s not true.” Derek takes a step forward, but I take a step back.

“I can’t.”

“You will,” Jansen says. “It’s just a matter of time.”

CHAPTER 19

ANA

The following week, I screen dozens of potential hires, first through phone and video interviews, then I bring in the top candidates for in-person meetings.

I update Derek and Jansen about my progress by standing in their doorways one morning, at a safe distance, where I can’t be tempted to show them my underwear.

“I’ll be here all day,” Jansen says. “If there’s someone you want to hire, call me and I’ll come in to question them.”

I assumed this was how things would go, though I was hoping it would be Derek—who’s generally slightly less surly—to review job candidates, but he’s going to be out visiting the shops today.

“I’m mostly interviewing for accounting positions today. Maybe you don’t need to be bothered withthose?” I cast a glance at Jansen’s crowded desk, as if my only concern is his busy schedule.

“Call me if you find someone you want to hire.” With that gruff command, his focus returns to his laptop, and I’m dismissed.

A couple of hours later, I meet with a man who’s well qualified for the accounts receivable position. I checked his references before bringing him in, I’ve questioned him about his skillset, and everything about him seems promising.

“Excuse me,” I say as I pull out my phone to call Jansen’s line. When he answers, I ask if he’s able to come to the conference room. It’s been enough of a struggle just being in this room, and having Jansen in here is really going to send my body reeling.

It’s nearly impossible to look at this table and not remember being bent over it and stuffed full of … my bosses.

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