Page 4 of Unexpected Kisses

“Morning, Sarah,” Joe calls across from his post near the elevator, ready to press the button for me.

I smile at him. Every day, he’s here to greet me with his warm smile and a friendly hello. “Hi, Joe. How are things?”

“Never better.” That’s always his answer as he presses the button to my floor on my behalf.

I hold the container toward him and raise an eyebrow. “Would you like one before I take them upstairs?”

“I’ll never say no to your baking.” He reaches across, lifts the lid, and makes his selection. “Mmm, smell that lemon.”

“There’s a treat hidden inside.” I wink at him. The lemon curd filling is always a hit.

“Nice. I’ll look forward to it when I take my morning break. Thank you. Mr. Wainwright hasn’t arrived yet.”

That gives me pause. Eric is always in the office before me. Well, he used to always be in the office before me; now, not so much. “Thanks, Joe. Have a great day.”

“You too,” he says as I step inside the elevator with a stone-tiled floor and stainless-steel walls, which match the lobby. I don’t have to share the space with anyone this early in the morning.

The building is incredibly stylish and classy, and I love that I work in one of the most iconic buildings in the city,Stone Tower. It doesn’t hurt that, on occasion, I manage to lay eyes on the one and only owner of the building, Oliver Stone. That man is all sorts of hot! His wife is gorgeous too. I’ve met them both a couple of times over the years because Emma works with her and we crossed paths when Emma was in the hospital and again at her wedding. Even though I know Kate is really down to earth, I can’t believe the wife of a billionaire businessman still works in an elementary school. I shake my head.

Using the polished stainless-steel walls as a mirror, I adjust the collar of the navy sleeveless dress I’m wearing today. Nobody would even guess the dress I’m wearing only cost thirty-nine ninety-five, including postage—such a steal. I love dressing up and finding outfits that accentuate my assets—which are on the curvier side—not that there’s anyone to impress in the office, but I like to look nice.

The reception desk is empty when I step off the elevator, which is normal because Lucy doesn’t usually get here until she’s dropped her teenage kids off at school. I start her computer, then head toward my desk, located outside of Eric’s office. As I pass by the research and development cubicles, I raise the Tupperware container of cupcakes so the guys know to grab one each before they all disappear. Evan and Jordan always start early on Fridays so they can leave early and hit the bars. Eric’s always been generous with his staff, allowing us to start and finish whenever it suits us as long as we work our designated number of hours in the week. I was lucky to land this job over ten years ago.

I tuck my purse in the cupboard behind my desk and turn on my computer. Glancing at Eric’s darkened office, I mentally run through his calendar, searching for an early appointment I’ve forgotten, but come up blank. His behavior has been worrying and uncharacteristic as of late. He’s been stressed about his grandson, Adam, taking over his position within the company. Eric’s ready to retire, and it shows in the considerable decline of his enthusiasm over the last twelve months.

Adam’s been reluctant, making Eric understandably upset. I consider the situation from Adam’s point of view as I turn on the lights and computer in Eric’s office. Glancing at the old black and white photograph of his daughter and her family he keeps on his desk, I study the little boy, Adam, closely. I guess it takes time to pack up your life and move across the country from New Jersey, but it’s been over eighteen months and the delay is impacting Eric’s health. Apparently, Adam moved there straight from college for a job and hasn’t been home since, but surely he knew he’d have to take over from his grandfather one day. I’m not even sure he’s capable of taking over such a large company; he’s never even set foot in this building. Would he even know how to runFutureTech?

I drop the cupcakes off in the kitchen, turn on the coffee machine, then move through the rest of our floor, switching on the lights and printers. Once I’ve made myself a coffee, I pop my head in to say hello to Evan and Jordan. “Morning. Are you guys ready for your presentation with Eric this morning at ten?”

“Morning, Sarah. Yeah, we’re ready, but where is he?” Jordan asks.

“I don’t know. I’ll give him thirty minutes, then I’ll try calling him. Don’t forget to grab a cupcake. I made the lemon ones this week.”

They both nod. “Thanks, Sarah. Your cupcakes make Fridays bearable.”

“You’re welcome.” I head back to my desk. Taking my seat, I work through the emails in my inbox, forwarding them where needed, and double-check Eric’s calendar for today. He leaves at lunchtime to play golf on Fridays; it’s something he’s always done. More often than not, by three p.m. on Friday afternoons, our office is almost completely empty. I love it because it affords me the quiet I need to prepare for the following work week.

Eric wanders toward me, looking a million miles away. “Good morning, Mr. Wainwright.” I smile at him.

He glances up as though he’s only now realized where he is. “Good morning, Sarah. Please cancel the presentation this morning. Move it to the first available time next week. I need to make an important call.”

“Sure. Is everything okay?”

He waves over his shoulder as he disappears through the door to his office. “Of course.”

Puzzled at Eric’s uncharacteristic behavior, I check his calendar for next week and move the presentation, then head down the hallway to tell the guys. I’m sure they’ll be disappointed. They seemed excited about showing Eric the new chip they’ve been working on.

I make Eric’s pot of tea, pop a cupcake on a plate, and head back to his office, catching him before he makes his call. “I’ve changed the presentation to your earliest available time next Tuesday. Here’s your tea, and I made lemon curd cupcakes this week.”

His cloudy eyes meet mine, and he offers me a genuine smile. “What would I do without you, Sarah? Thank you.”

“Oh, I’m sure you’d get by, but I’m glad I can help.” I tip my lips up. “Do you need anything else?”

“No, thank you. Please ensure I’m not disturbed.”

“Of course.” I spin on my heel, closing Eric’s door behind me.

CHAPTER2

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