That's true, but Ellie Madden is the only one I can't stop thinking about.
***
"I didn't expect you to make a list of recommendations, Ellie." I stare down at the piece of paper. Perfect feminine handwriting details twelve separate items that she'd like changed at the store. At every Matiz store, actually. Considering we have more than a hundred locations across twelve states, this is going to cost me dearly.
"I thought you'd appreciate it." She crosses her legs at the knee.
"When did you have time to compile this?" I go there because I want to know what time her date ended last night. I have no right to know, but that's not stopping me. "You mentioned having plans when I saw you at the store last night and it's now just past ten. I didn't expect you to be this prepared for our meeting."
She gives me a look that I imagine a monkey with two heads would be accustomed to seeing. "Your assistant, Eda, called me at eight this morning and said you wanted to see me at ten with a few suggestions on how you can improve security in the stores."
I no longer have to wonder whether Eda is actually writing down word-for-word what I say when I call her into my office. I thought the pad of paper and the pencil were for show; apparently, she's documenting every word that comes out of my mouth. She must be hiding a third hand behind her back because the pencil never leaves the spot where she tucks it behind her ear.
"I did ask her to convey that message to you."
She fists her hands together in her lap. "Do you want me to go over each point with you, Nolan? I have some suggestions on fixes."
That would make sense, wouldn't it? I'd tell Eda to get us more coffee. We'd roll up our sleeves and get down to business. I'd keep it professional because that's what a man in my position does.
"Did you have fun on your date last night?" I lower my tone, so it's skimming against the dangerous edge of desire. I know I shouldn't do this. It's not just Crew's words that are echoing in my ear. It's my own vow to never again sleep with a woman who relies on me for a paycheck. I'm losing sight of it again as I stare at Ellie's pale skin and her naturally pink lips.
She eyes me cautiously. Her mouth is twitching as she tries to hide a smile. "I never said it was a date."
"You said you were meeting someone for a drink."
"I did say that, yes."
"Did you meet a man last night, Ellie?"
"Several." Her head tilts to the side. "I met Randy. There was Liam and I think I might have met a Drake too."
"I see." I lean back in my chair. "So you're saying you met a friend for a drink? A female friend and the two of you understandably attracted a fair bit of male attention."
"I did meet a friend and we attracted some male attention."
Jealousy, in all its unwelcome glory, slithers through me. Whoever the fuck those three men are they got something I didn't get last night. They got Ellie Madden's attention. I was the one who asked for it, but she offered it up on a silver platter to a trio of strangers instead.
I let out a long breath. Focus is what I need right now. I need to focus on work and not on the mental image of Ellie leaving a bar with another man. I have to concentrate on her security concerns for the stores and not on the way her legs look in the white pants she's wearing, or the sheer black sleeveless blouse that reveals her lace bra underneath.
I hear someone clearing their throat just as I catch sight of Crew in the doorway of my office. The expression on his face is one I'm painfully familiar with. I'm on my feet, my phone in my hand before he says it.
"Mayday." His voice is calm and clear.
I cast my gaze
down to my phone's screen. Three missed calls and four text messages, all from the same number. Each attempt to reach me spaced precisely one minute apart.
"I silenced the ringer before my meeting," I tell him. "Where the fuck is Eda? She didn't get a call?"
"She takes coffee at ten every day. She's not at her desk. I got a call less than a minute ago. That's why I'm here." His tone is even. "We need to go. Now, Nolan."
I nod to Ellie, round my desk and bolt straight out the door.
Chapter 11
Ellie
"Mayday?" Adley taps her forehead. "Is that some bro code thing? Is it like when you call me when I'm on a bad date pretending you're having an emergency so I can slip away?"