Page 12 of Dad's Best Friend Boss
Soon after Henry stops speaking, I sense a whiff of his cologne, and a tingle spreads over my skin. He’s right behind me when I hear his breathing. “Mila, how’s Smith’s project going?”
I compose myself by taking a deep breath. “Oh. I’m done with the plans. Going to submit them after lunch, and then I’ll work on improving them,” I say as I turn to look at him. He looks devastatingly handsome in crisp white shirt and beige trousers. His raven hair is casually styled, a few strands of subtle grays making him more attractive. And his scruff reminds me of the tingling sensation on my thighs from the other day… Damn. My composure scatters to pieces just like that.
His eyes twinkle as if he can read my dirty thoughts. “Very well,” he says with a faint smirk as he glances at the plans spreading on my desk. “They look good, Mila. Don’t forget to provide them with the name of our construction waste hauler.”
“I won’t,” I say.
“I’m going to check another site in Orange County and won’t be back for the rest of the day. If you need anything, you can call or text. Adrianna can also help you.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
He doesn’t leave until he gives me a smoldering, lingering look that spikes my heartbeat.
Whew. I exhale loudly after he’s gone. Having an affair with your boss is a bad idea. It’s too distracting and I feel like I’ve done something wrong all the time.
I wait for another two minutes before getting up to use the restroom. I’m washing my hands at the sink when Adrianna comes in. “Hi Mila,” she says. “Want to grab lunch with me?”
I’m taken aback by the invitation because she hasn’t been that friendly with me although she greets me with smiles each time we run into each other. I pause for a second but nod. “S-sure. Where do you want to go?”
“I usually go to Hill Street Cafe. Mr. Hudson loves the place.”
I frown. Why does she have to mention our boss?
At noon, I meet Adrianna at the front of the office and we go down to the lobby together.
Hill Street Cafe is a busy place. The place is small, but has tables all over the sidewalk. Adrianna orders a grilled chicken sandwich and recommends tuna sandwich to me. “It’s Henry’s favorite,” she says. “Whenever I come down here, he tells me to bring him one.”
What’s the problem with this woman? Does she have to mention the boss all the time? The worse thing is, instead of having the urge to roll my eyes, I’m aware of my heated cheeks and the jealousy that’s burning inside of me. Suddenly I wonder whether Henry has done the same thing with Adrianna he did with me, in the same office. And the realization makes me sick.
I order a ham and egg sandwich and follow Adrianna to a table outside, far from the other tables.
I take a bite of my sandwich. It’s pricey but not as great as I expected it to be.
“Have you been here before?” Adrianna asks after swallowing down a bite.
“No. It’s my first time. I usually go to McDonald’s.”
Adrianna makes a face. “Not to be rude but I don’t know how anyone can eat the stuff there.”
“What do you mean? Their food isn’t bad at all and I love their milkshakes”
“Maybe it tastes okay but it’s unhealthy. It takes a person three days to digest the fats and calories in a single Big Mac.”
“No way,” I say with a chuckle.
“I’m not kidding,” she says. “In fact, Henry told me that.”
There she goes again. I’m so annoyed I don’t respond to the comment. But Adrianna continues to bring up our boss. “Have you ever wondered why Henry is still single?”
“No,” I lie. I’ve wondered about it a lot, especially lately. “But I guess the reason is obvious. He’s busy making money.”
“Wrong,” Adrianna says, leaving her half-eaten sandwich on the plate. “He hasn’t found the right woman, is all.”
“Right woman?” I ask after swallowing my bite.
“Yes,” she says. “Someone who helps him run his business and also takes care of his personal needs.”
I have no doubt she has herself in mind, but I don’t point it out. Instead, I just nod and take the last bite of my sandwich.
