Page 80 of Mine to Love

“I remember! Your mother banned permanent markers and pens from the house after Leah got into my school bag and decorated the kitchen cabinets.”

I relax my tense shoulders. Not only is Autumn not a threat at stealing Logan from me, but she’s a breath of fresh air. Not having many friends in high school or in college, I didn’t have anyone to lean on after losing my mom and sister other than my father. Meeting Emerson shortly after had been my saving grace.

The age difference between me and Autumn prevented us from being close back then, but twenty-nine and thirty-nine aren’t so far off now. I can see us being friends.

Logan clears his throat reminding me we aren’t here to make friends. There’s an interview to conduct.

“Regardless of how the interview goes, I’d like to stay in touch, if that’s okay with you,” I say, as much a surprise to myself as to Logan, judging by the flinch in his elbow.

“I’d like that. You have my number.” She points at the resume in my hands.

“Okay, why don’t you start by telling us about your time at Frisco Manufacturers.”

Thirty minutes later, we shake Autumn’s hand by the front door. As soon as she leaves, I turn to Logan. “I like her.”

“Okay.” He curls his lower lip in as if to stop himself from saying something, and then pauses before continuing. “Do you want to read through the other resumes and set up more interviews next week, or hire Autumn?”

“It’s your company. You know what the assistant is going to have to be able to know and do better than I do. Your call, boss.”

“She hasn’t worked in a financial firm, but her experience at Frisco and her role as administrative assistant at the mortgage lending house is beneficial. I’ll have Doug call her references and do a background check. If everything clears, we can hire her.”

“As long as she can help with your workload.”

“And yours as well.” He brushes his knuckles down my cheek. “I need to get back to work.”

I nod and watch him walk back to his office. He really does have a nice ass.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Autumn proved herself within hours on the job. Two weeks later, and she’s crushing it. Having an administrative assistant to take care of the loads of paperwork has enabled Reese to take on more clients. I love listening to her talk with excitement about her new clients and the success they have after following her business plan.

I feel her excitement to my core and remember feeling the same way back when I was starting out. I love that Reese shares the same interests and love for the job as me. It’s another way we connect beyond the physical.

I find my rental car in the airport parking lot and toss my overnight bag in the backseat. I still haven’t gotten around to securing a permanent vehicle in Maine. When I’m here, I go straight to the office to take care of business I didn’t get to in Austin, and every other minute I’m with Reese.

The past three months traveling back and forth between Maine and Austin have been exhausting but worth it. I could’ve gotten away with coming to Maine monthly, which is what my family assumes I’ve been doing. The other weeks are for Reese. Or rather, for me.

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