Page 68 of Sassy Love
A sad smile blooms over his face. “Sure, Miss Carlie, let’s do that.”
I chuckle at his use of Manuel’s name for me.
His smile stretches to a grin.
Said it before, and I’ll say it again. The man is gorgeous. Not that those words will pass my lips in any audible fashion.
Ever.
We get to work. Running the numbers. Brainstorming marketing, planning, and sponsorships. I order in lunch, and we don’t leave the fish tank for anything. It’s after four by the time Serelle comes to find us. We’re sprawled out on the floor. Lawson sits on one side of our spread-out papers and projections. I’m on the other side, leaning against the glass wall under the whiteboard, surrounded by the budgets and marketing materials from previous years.
A soft knock is followed by the door opening as Serelle enters. “How’s it going?”
“We’re taking another pass at the historical data to make a better, more advanced plan moving forward,” I say.
Lawson rises to his feet, tugging his tie off and lowering a hand to help me up. I take it and stand beside him.
Serelle crosses her arms, raising a brow and doing her best to flatten a smile. “I see camp worked wonders.”
“Yeah, we’re best buds now, hey, Lamont?” Lawson messes up my hair with a hand. His fingertips work over my scalp.
Good lord . . .
He doesn’t make space between us, and his sandalwood and spice shrouds me. My body responds to the proximity instantly. I blow out a settling breath before I slap him away. “Get off me, Rawlins.”
Serelle chuckles. “Well, almost, then. It’s good to see you two getting along. I knew you’d be friends. You both have such strong reasons to be here. I had a feeling about you guys. Keep up the good work. I’ll need those updated reports and quarter one’s projections around Thanksgiving.”
“We’ll have it ready.” Lawson closes the door behind her, and when he turns back, he stretches. “You know what? I could use some fresh air.”
“Need to go walkies, do we?”
“Abso-fuckin-lutely.”
I huff a small laugh at the longest drawl-infused yes I’ve ever heard.
“You want to come?”
I still.
Yes.
No. I mean . . .
I clear my throat. “I’m good. I’m going to tidy up and call it a day. It’s been a long day.”
“Sure. I’ll see you tomorrow, hey?”
“Yup. Tomorrow.”
He grabs his wallet and walks from the office as I slump into my chair. It’s been a long day. My body is weary. Achy, actually.
I clear my throat again, and pain lances down it.
Oh great.
Just when we finally make it onto the same page. I finally have a real, concrete purpose for what we’re trying to achieve here...
And a tiny army no one can see readies its ranks to take me down.
