Page 45 of Owen North

Like,really.

Damn that agreement he has, and damn him for being such an honest guy. Well, just this once. I’m here for honest men.

I think Owen can tell I’m struggling with this. I think he is too.

“Send me your address,” he says, taking a step away from me. “I’ll pick you up at eight. Is there anything you don’t like to eat besides carrots or green beans?”

I smile remembering our conversation the other night. “Nothing I’ve found so far. You get extra points if you find a place that has Nutella on the menu.”

“Consider it done.” His tone leaves me with no doubt he’ll move mountains to do this.

“I’m thinking this competitive streak of yours can be used to my advantage.”

His eyes bore into mine and Ireallyget the impression it’s taking everything in him not to pull me into his arms. “Charlize, everything can be used to your advantage. I’m not just going for extra points here.”

I stare after him as he leaves the conference room, his last statement working its way through me.

I text him my address while processing it.

Holy Jesus.

Owen wants me.

Like,wantsme.

And he’s not playing games with me.

He’s being honest.

He’s letting me know exactly where he stands and exactly what he wants.

This is a refreshing change for me and my dating life.

I’ve never dated a guy like him.

And goodness if I’m not looking forward to our first date more than I’ve ever looked forward to a date.

* * *

The afternoonquickly goes downhill after I leave the boardroom.

And when I say downhill, it should be spelledshitshow.

It begins when Jill leaves for the interview she’s giving with Owen. She’s on edge before she even sets foot outside her office.

“Are you nearly finished with those jobs I gave you?”

Her tone catches me by surprise. It’s quite tart and very impatient. Like she’s been waiting forever for me to finish these jobs when that’s not the case at all. The jobs she’s referring to are new items on my list that only appeared an hour ago.

“I should be by five,” I say.

She doesn’t appear pleased by this. “Make sure you are.”

Ok, wow.

She leaves me and I mentally thank the Universe for making this a two-day-only job. Jill started yesterday with being nice to me, but she’s slowly become more difficult as time has gone on. I don’t think I could work for her full-time.

She’s gone for forty-five minutes, and when she returns, she’s in a bad mood.

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