“Absolutely.”
“So what’s it like to date the boss?”
“It’s weird to go from dating the boss’s son to dating the boss himself. But it feels pretty much the same. And I told him not to give me any special privileges.”
“So you’re staying in your cubicle?”
“Nope.”
She arched a brow. “But I thought you said you didn’t want any special privileges or preferred treatment.”
“He’s expanding a few more floors and giving everyone their own private offices.”
She gave Britt a high-five. “Way to go! Can you tell him you want new furniture too? That way we’ll all be sure to get it.” She winked. “Can’t have only you getting special privileges.”
Britt playfully punched her. “We’ll see. Now I have some work to catch up on. Thanks for filling me in on the gossip.”
“We still on for coffee on Thursday?”
“Absolutely. It’s a tradition,” Britt assured her with a hug.
Chapter 17
Britt went back to her apartment to get her lucky dress, the blue one she’d worn the night she met Jack. For a while she’d thought of it as doomed, because Kevin had dumped her that night at Tamarind. Soon enough, she’d realized it was, if not actually a charm of good fortune, at least the souvenir of her luckiest night. She put her hair in her accustomed high ponytail and noticed as she slicked on her lipstick that her reflection looked a hell of a lot happier than it had in the same dress a few months back.
Clearly she was joyous at the idea of meeting Jack at Tamarind to talk about properties, completing the circle. She had gone there the first time with a manila folder of printouts to show a disinterested boyfriend their apartment options. Even if Jack didn’t show up with a manila folder tonight, it would be a celebration of the next step in their new life together.
Britt felt excited, bubbly even. She got to Tamarind a little early and found Jack sitting at the table where they’d first spent an evening together. Two margaritas stood at her place and as she approached, Jack got to his feet. She shot him the biggest smile ever. He shot her back the most handsome smile.
Instead of the casual look he’d sported that first night, he wore a crisp button down, open at the throat. He looked like he belonged in a catalog he was so gorgeous. His eyes seemed to bore into her as she came toward him. Instead of pulling out her chair, standing on ceremony, he caught her around the waist, murmured, “Nice dress.” Then he kissed her full on the lips, his tongue darting in her mouth and turning her knees to useless, melting things so she had to hold on to his broad shoulders. When he drew back, looking at her searchingly, she couldn’t help but smile.
“Nice kiss,” she replied and sat down. “I still can’t thank you enough for saving the company. Thank you, Jack. It means everything to me.”
“I know how much you enjoy your job there. So I’m going to keep Creative Consulting.”
“And I’ll be the best bookkeeper you ever had. You’ve made me the happiest woman on the planet.”
“Wait. Hold up! You’re not supposed to say that just yet.” He flashed Britt his perfect grin. “Please don’t get so ahead of me, darling.”
“What?” she asked.
“You’re so beautiful,” he said, changing the subject.
“Thank you. And might I add, you’re as handsome as ever.”
With a sip of her margarita and a sigh, she settled back to look at him, at the strange, beautiful déjà vu of being simultaneously in the exact same spot and yet a much, much better place. Here was a man across from her whom she’d love to see across the breakfast table for the next forty years. Here was a man who couldn’t wait to kiss her as soon as he saw her. Here was Jack, the man she loved. She reached across the table and took his hand. His thumb stroked her knuckles and he looked critically at her.
“Give me the other hand,” he said.
She chuckled. “What’s wrong with this one?”
He winked. “I want the other one.”
“Both of them? Are you going to read my palms?”
“No, just your left hand. Please,” he said smoothly.
Britt reached out her left hand as if to shake his hand.