“How about you?”
“Same boat. I did go out on one date, but it was a disaster. I don’t think I’m good at it.”
“You can’t be that bad.”
“I’m out of practice,” he admits. “I’d most likely fumble my way through and embarrass everyone.”
“You’re not giving yourself enough credit.” I laugh and tuck my feet under me, getting more comfortable on the couch. “I’ve known you for a long time, Carter. You’re a charming man. I’m sure you’d be a fun date.”
Not to mention, you’re sexy as hell. Getting caught here all night with him was not the best idea for my libido. Not that I did it on purpose. But damn it, I just want to crawl on top of him and have my way with him.
And he’s looking at me with curious blue eyes, but there’s nothing at all in his body language that screams DO ME.
So I’ll stay on my side of the couch and keep my incredibly awesome job intact.
“Maybe you should go out for dinner with me,” he suggests. “Give me some pointers, make sure I’m not making a complete ass of myself.”
Ah, a trial run, go with someone he knows and trusts to see if he’s doing it right. A friends-only date.
Which is exactly what it should be.
Because I love my job, and Christopher is right; workplace romances never work out.
Maybe this is what I need. Get Carter back in the dating game, and maybe it’ll propel me forward in my own love life.
“You don’t have to—”
“Good idea,” I say at the same time. “I’ll totally go on a date with you.”
He quirks an eyebrow. “You will?”
“Sure. You’ll see, it’s not nearly as bad as you think it is. When should we go?”
“Tomorrow. After work.” It’s not a question. “And as your boss, I insist you leave at a normal time tomorrow so we can eat dinner like normal human beings.”
“I have to pick Gabby up for piano lessons,” I remind him.
“Perfect. Don’t come back to the office when you’re done.”
“Yes, sir.”
His lips turn up in a small smile. “Whenever you’re ready to sleep, Finn has a queen-size bed off his office. He had it built on because he slept here more than at his house back before he met London.”
“Where will you sleep?”
“On this couch.”
“I can take the couch.”
He tips his head. “No. I’ll take the couch.”
“If you say so. Do you want me to leave so you can sleep?”
“I’m fine if you are.”
“Yeah, I’m a night owl. I still have a couple of hours in me. Should we watch a movie?”
“Sure. What movie should we watch?”
“Something funny. And romantic. Crazy Rich Asians.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Why are you going out with my dad?” Gabby asks the following afternoon when I’m driving her home from her lesson. Mother Nature calmed down a bit through the day today, but there’s still a lot of snow out here, so I’m white-knuckling it, maneuvering my way through Manhattan.
Why was I so stubborn about keeping my car in the city? We are not in the Midwest.
“Do you have a business meeting?” she continues.
“No, we’re just going out for dinner.”
“Like, on a date?”
I can feel her blue eyes pinned to me, and I’m not sure how to answer the question.
“Sort of, but only as friends.”
“Why as friends? You could totally date my dad. I actually like you.”
“Well, thanks. I think. But there is a whole laundry list of reasons why I shouldn’t date your dad for real.”
“Like what? Tell me the reasons so I can debunk them.”
I laugh and glance over at the preteen. “Debunk?”
“Yeah, you know, prove why it’s wrong.”
“I know what it means. Well, Gabs, I work for your dad. And we have rules in the office that people aren’t supposed to date each other.”
“My dad owns the company,” she reminds me with confidence. “So he can change the rules.”
“It’s really not a bad rule. Because when people date in the workplace, it can get messy if things don’t work out.”
“Because people are dumb,” she says with a sage nod. “So dramatic. But my dad is not dramatic. So I don’t think it’ll be an issue.”
“I’m so glad to hear that.” I chuckle and pull into Maggie’s driveway. Gabby usually spends evenings with her grandmother, and both look forward to it. “Have a good night tonight.”
“I’m just saying, if you’re into my dad, I’m cool with it. And trust me when I say, I wouldn’t say that to just anyone.”
“That means a lot, Gabs. I mean it. Thank you, but I think this is just a casual dinner as friends.”
“Fine.” She sighs heavily and pushes out of the car, hurrying through the snow to the front door. Maggie opens the door for her and they both wave at me before hurrying inside, out of the cold.
I would usually go back to the office now, but Carter made it clear that was off the table for today. He’s picking me up at six sharp, so I don’t really have time to go back and work at this point anyway. I have ninety minutes to take a shower and put myself together for our date.