Page 14 of Enticed By the Mountain Man

“So you programmed it as my birthday on purpose?”

“Maybe.”

“Aw, that’s so cute.” She reaches out and strokes my cheek. “How long ago did you do that?”

“Will you freak out if I tell you?”

“No. I promise.”

“About six months into you working for me. There was a day when you really stepped up and helped out on an urgent project. We were working late—I think it was just before we pitched the new range of BB creams to the parent company that distributes to G & R department stores nationwide—and it was one of the biggest deals of my career to date. I was starting to get stressed about the presentation I’d prepared, but you calmed me down and assured me it was perfect. And it was, because as you know, we landed the deal.”

She grins. “I remember that night. I’d ordered us Thai food, and you didn’t want to eat because you were so worked up, but I forced you to try the Pad Thai, and it gave you a little space to reset.”

I look at her and shake my head. “I can’t believe you remember.”

“Well, I’ve always been pretty dedicated to you as an employee and wanted to do a good job. I told myself it was all professional… but now I’m not sure I was being completely honest with myself.” She blushes at the admission.

“And I was always worried it would ruin our dynamic. I don’t think I can function without you in a professional sense.” I pause. “And now in the personal.”

She sighs. “So what happens tomorrow when we’re back in reality?”

“You’ll still be my assistant—if you want to be, of course—but after hours, I’d love to get to know you better. Do you think it can work? Can I take you on a date?”

She looks down at our entwined hands and then back at my face.

“I would love to.”

ONE MONTH LATER…

Carrie

Okay, so how did it take three years for me to realize how much I love Justin? Since that day at his house, we’ve barely been inseparable. Before, I hardly saw him at the office because he was so busy with meetings and everything else involved with being a CEO, but now he seems to be at work all the time. When I pointed it out, he said he realized he could be just as effective from one place and that he was paying rent for a reason, so he may as well make the most of it.

And then after work… well… let’s just say the lake has seen many more repeat performances of that first afternoon.

I no longer hate summer. In fact, I think it’s my favorite season. If I’d gone back to Justin’s house that time and it had been winter, I’m not sure everything would have turned out the way it did.

Justin tells me he would have said something eventually, but I’m glad that summer rain shower pushed us together.

We’ve alternated spending nights both at my place and Justin’s. My place is more convenient if we need to be at the office early, but his is obviously more fun for our extracurricular activities.

Justin pressed charges against his uncle, and it’s currently going through the courts. If he’s convicted of attempted murder, he’ll go to prison for a long time. The case is taking its toll on him emotionally, but I’m there to support him every day. I never realized how lonely Justin must have been, practically being on his own since he was a teenager. I wonder if that’s why he always seemed so self-sufficient. Although I do love that he credits me for helping him get through tough times.

I might have been doing it unconsciously before, but I’m doing it on purpose now.

Justin needed me to man the phones at the office today while he attended court, and then he told me to meet him at his house afterwards.

I arrive just before 6pm and let myself in, heading for the kitchen to get dinner ready. I’ve always enjoyed cooking, so I get some chicken and vegetables from the fridge and begin preparing them for a stew.

Soon after, Justin gets in, and he flops down at the kitchen counter, inhaling deeply.

“That smell is heavenly. If it was possible for a smell to erase all your worries, this would be it.”

I beam. “I thought I’d make you a recipe my grandmother shared with me. She’s still around, but she lives in Madison Oaks. I’ll have to take you to meet her sometime.”

“I’d like that.”

“How was court?”

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