Page 2 of Just a Little Crush

“There’s only one way to find out,” Valerie said meaningfully, just as my phone pinged, announcing our ride was at the curb.

“Stop being such an instigator.” I narrowed my eyes at her, but I was smiling.

“Who, me?” Valerie batted her lashes my way.

“Yes,you.” I grabbed the wrapped gift for Raven off the small dining table, then hooked my arm through Valerie’s as we headed toward the door. “Behave yourself tonight.”

“I make no promises,” she said.

I was secretly glad to see this feisty side to Valerie reemerging, and by the time we arrived at our destination—Hotel Hendricks in Midtown—it was clear that her mood had lifted exponentially, as if getting out of the apartment was just what my sister needed. We made our way up to the twenty-ninth floor to Daintree, a rooftop lounge that had been reserved for Raven’s private party for the night.

It was a beautiful September evening, just cool and breezy enough to be comfortable, though the well-placed heat lamps helped keep any chill at bay. Outdoor mood lighting set the tone for casual elegance, and the spacious terrace had been transformed to accommodate over fifty people, with an area for dinner, various sitting areas with firepits, and even a dance floor with a DJ who was currently playing background music.

Guests milled about, enjoying the full-service bar and the trays of hors d’oeuvres being offered by the waitstaff. Since there was still about twenty minutes before Remy arrived with Raven, Valerie and I selected one of the fruity cocktails making the rounds, crafted specifically for Raven’s party.

“Here’s to a fun evening,” I said, and clinked my glass to Valerie’s.

We both took a sip of the delicious concoction, my gaze scanning the area for a familiar face…and found one when my eyes connected with Caleb’s across the way. He looked breathtakingly gorgeous in a dark gray suit and all that BDE on display.

Instantaneous flutters rose in my stomach, and I would have been okay with that reaction if my damn nipples hadn’t followed suit, tightening in pure sexual awareness against the silky fabric of my dress. And between my thighs? Well, that tingling sensation made me shift restlessly in my heels in an effort to chase away the ache settling there.

He was standing with Dex Sterling and Max Corbin, the other two men conversing while a sexy smile curved Caleb’s lips as he subtly raised his own drink at me and inclined his head in a silent greeting. There was no missing the slow, appreciative perusal of his gaze as it traversed the length of my figure, wreaking havoc once again with my body and making me feel all sorts of ways.

Dex said something, diverting Caleb’s attention, much to my relief.

“See.” Valerie elbowed me gently in the side so I didn’t spill my drink. “He’s already eating you up.”

There was no denying what had been so apparent, even if I knew it would lead to nothing between Caleb and me. “Stop,” I said, giving my sister a mock-stern look.

She took another sip of her drink, clearly enjoying herself at my expense. “Maybe he’s too shy to make the first move.”

I almost choked on the drink I was taking of my cocktail, because a man like Caleb, with such a commanding presence, was the opposite of shy. “Maybe he’s just fine with us being friends,” I said, because we were at least that.

I’d known Caleb over a year now, and there had been many gatherings because of our connection to Raven that put us in close proximity. We’d had plenty of casual,friendlyconversations, some even a bit flirty, so I wasn’t about to read anything more into our interactions.

Valerie shrugged, looking unconvinced. “Okay, if you say so.”

“I do, so behave,” I reminded her beneath my breath, just as I caught sight of Samantha Dare, my direct boss where I was interning at Dare PR while finishing up my marketing degree online. I hoped to stay on with the firm once I earned my degree in the next few months. That would mean a nice salary to compensate what I made at the bar, and it would enable me to move to a nicer apartment and better neighborhood.

“There’s my boss, who I want you to meet.” I grabbed Valerie’s elbow and guided her in that direction, discarding our empty cocktail glasses on the way.

Samantha was chatting with her best friend, Brandy, who was also her office manager at the PR firm. They both smiled at me as we approached.

“Hi, Samantha, Brandy,” I acknowledged each of them. “I’d like you to meet my sister, Valerie.”

“It’s a pleasure,” Samantha said amicably, shaking Valerie’s hand.

“Likewise,” my sister said, before exchanging the same greeting with Brandy.

We made small talk for a while and when the time was right, I returned my attention back to Brandy. “I know this isn’t the best place to do this but I know you’re looking for a new assistant, and Valerie is experienced and looking for a new job.”

Brandy’s eyebrows raised, perked up in interest.

“I just wanted the two of you to meet face to face before she sent in her résumé.” I didn’t explain that Valerie was currently unemployed, or that her ex, a junior advisor and the son of the CEO at the financial firm where she’d worked as a secretary, had gotten her fired in retribution for her not going back to him. That was my sister’s story to tell, if she chose to.

“Wonderful. It’s always so much easier when someone comes recommended,” Brandy said, genuinely enthusiastic as she withdrew a business card from her purse and handed it to Valerie. “Send your résumé directly to me at that email address, and we’ll go from there.”

“Thank you,” Valerie said, her eyes wide with surprise. “I appreciate that.”

---