Page 279 of Small Town Firsts
It took me a few seconds to recall my unfortunate initials. No one had ever dared call me that, at least to my face. Leave it to Miss Moon.
Who was grinning up at Dexter while he raked a hand through his dark hair and grinned back. He was probably telling her I had a stick up my ass and I was jealous of him, because of course I was.
The worst of it? He was telling the truth. Everything was easy for him. He didn’t have a care in the world, and sometimes it felt as if my shoulders would crack under the weight of all I carried.
“PMS? Oh, he isn’t going to like that.”
“He doesn’t like much from what I can tell.”
“Mr. Prim and Proper has never had a nickname. Not a public one, anyway. But he gave me a good idea. Do you have lunch plans, Ry?”
He had already shortened her name. Wasn’t that sweet? He was just the best at inter-office relations.
“You know, I don’t. I didn’t even get breakfast since my fritter was in his sack.”
Dex laughed. “Sounds kinky.”
Listening to their banter through the phone was akin to hell. If I leaned to the right just far enough, I could catch a glimpse ofRyan painting her big toe and flashing entirely too much leg at my irritating brother. He was looking at her as if she was a tasty snack, if not the whole meal.
And suddenly, I was more than a little tired of watching Dex eat his way through a sea of women. Especially when it involved my assistant.
Temporaryassistant, I reminded myself.
“You do have lunch plans, Miss Moon.” I cleared my throat. “With me.”
She didn’t answer right away. “I think I’m busy.”
“You are not.”
“Says who?”
“Your boss.”
“Only temporarily and I’m already counting down the hours.”
I hung up.
After that, a couple of things occurred almost simultaneously.
I developed a raging headache which required a double dose of Tylenol. My brother texted me to inquire if I was cool with him “pitching to Ry,” to which I did not respond. And possibly blocked his phone number.
Knowing Dex’s love of sports references, that question probably hadn’t been sexual. But I wasn’t taking the chance.
During lunch—which I still could not believe I’d suggested—I was going to make it clear that Ryan understood the strict no fraternization policy.
So strict it just had popped into being a few minutes ago while Ryan was painting on toenail polish that matched her celery green pumps.
Shortly after that, Colleen stepped off the elevator. Since I was watching to see if Dex slunk back to Ryan’s desk to try again, I caught Ryan’s interaction with Colleen. I couldn’t hear whatwas being said, but Ryan’s bright smile faded as Colleen pointed at my door and shook back her efficient brown braid.
I had no reason to be pleased at Ryan’s smile disappearing. Yet I was positively sunny when Colleen knocked and opened my door, poking her head in. “Have time for me now?”
“I always have time for you. You know that.” If I replied a touch louder than was necessary, so what? I was allowed to express appreciation at a friend doing a favor for me.
Colleen shut the door behind her and propped her hands on her hips. “You neglected to tell me one thing about who was blowing up your email.”
“Blowing up is a bit harsh.”
“It’s a figure of speech, Pres. You need to get out more, you know that?”
