Page 86 of Flirting with the CEO

"It's from Tiffany's, right?"

“Yes.”

"That necklace costs something like ten grand."

I stilled. “What?” That couldn't be possible. I blinked incessantly.

"You didn't know?" she said.

"No. I don’t know jewelry prices.” My voice sounded more robotic by the second.

"Really? I always google the price of stuff when I get it.”

I'd never thought about doing that, but now I was thinking that maybe I should have. I would never in a million years have accepted this if I'd known how much it cost.

Colton just dropped that kind of money on me?

Sandra frowned. "You don't look happy."

"Um." I cleared my throat. "I'm just... I don't know. It's a very expensive gift." I touched it absentmindedly. "I wouldn't have accepted if I knew."

She smiled sympathetically. "Clearly, you have a man who likes to spoil you. There aren’t many of those around, so enjoy him.”

I gave her a strained smile. I needed to talk to Colton.

Sandra and I spoke a bit about her boyfriend for the rest of the lunch, but my mind was still on Colton. I could hardly focus all afternoon.

As the evening rolled on, I couldn’t wait and texted Colton. He hadn’t been in his office all day and had put “lab day” on the calendar.

Zoey: Are you still in the lab?

Five minutes later, he replied.

Colton: Yes. Do you want to come here? You can keep me company. I’ll probably spend a few more hours here.

I couldn't turn down that offer. I was going to see my sexy man in his white coat.

I turned off my computer, since it was already late and I didn't plan on coming back to my office. Then I hurried down to the lab, wondering how to bring up the subject. I was always upfront, but I didn't want to sound ungrateful. I just couldn't understand how he dropped that type of money without... I don't know. Asking me, I guess. Although, he didn't need to ask me how to spend his own money.

Ugh, this is perplexing.

The door to the lab was open.

"Close it after you come in," Colton said. There were two whiteboards full of formulas. There were even some solutions in glass containers.

"What's that?"

"My lead scientist was here until just now, playing around with something."

"He's gone?"

"Yes," Colton answered. "So, what's wrong?" he asked, looking at me intently.

I was playing with my necklace. Clearly, he could tell something was off. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other. This was a foreign sensation to me; I usually didn't get tongue-tied. I didn't mince words.

"The necklace looks gorgeous on you.”

"Yeah, about that," I said, biting the inside of my cheek and smoothing my hand over his white coat. "I went to have lunch with Sandra today, and she mentioned that this costs a lot."

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