Hakim leaned forward. “That’s a great idea. Why don’t you do it?”
“Honestly, it got buried by bigger priorities. But I feel like we’re on better footing now, and maybe we can focus more on the fun stuff instead of only worrying if we’re going to make payroll the next month.”
“You mean there’s something more fun than making payroll?” he asked, teasing.
She tapped him with the back of her hand. “Come on, you’ve been doing this longer than I have. Your company has to do fun stuff, right?”
Hakim laughed. “We do, actually. There’s the traditional holiday party and summer picnic, but we also do birthday parties every month.”
“Oh, come on. Birthday parties? A grocery-store sheet cake in the conference room? You can do better than that.”
“And that’s why the birthdays we celebrate aren’t our employees’. Some people don’t want to celebrate their own birthday, which is fine—I don’t want to pressure any of my employees into doing anything they don’t want to do. So, every month, we pick a famous person—usually a historic figure—and celebrate their birthday. It gives us a fun theme for the event and I have a lunch catered that fits the person we’re celebrating. If people have a birthday that month, they can celebrate that or not. Their choice.”
Lauren stared at him with a surprised look on her face, but Hakim hoped it was a good surprised. It was completely outside the cold, uncaring image he projected to the world, but there was a reason his employees were loyal and committed. They knew Hakim cared about them as much as he cared about the company.
Her reaction shocked him. “Can I steal that idea?”
“Really? You like the idea?”
“Are you kidding? I love it. It’s a perfect blend of fun and thoughtfulness.”
Hakim found that he was warmed by her praise. It wasn’t just that she also understood what it was like to care for a team of employees; he wanted her personal approval.
“Of course you’re welcome to steal the idea—just make sure it’s the only one, okay?” he grinned.
Her smile sent a thrill of heat through him. Hakim wasn’t sure what he wanted to do, but it had been a long time since he’d felt drawn to anyone the way he was to Lauren. But with her mother being his rival, was a relationship with Lauren even possible?
“Thank you. I like to think we’re a very worker-friendly company, but I’m always looking for other things we can do.” Lauren leaned just a little bit more toward him, and took another sip from her wine glass.
Hakim sat his bowl down on the table, reached for the bottle, and held it up toward Lauren in a question. She nodded as she put her bowl on the table next to his. He poured her more wine, then added some to his glass as well. Feeling content but also a little hesitant, Hakim sat back and sighed.
Lauren poked at his arm. “You okay over there?”
“Yeah. Just, a long day, you know?”
She nodded. “You want me to go?”
“No, not really. I mean, I understand if you need to get home, but please don’t feel like you have to leave.”
Lauren held up her glass. “As long as you’re okay with it, I should let this wear off before I drive.”
“In that case, I insist on your staying a while longer.”
“Okay, but I’m getting comfortable, then.” She kicked her shoes off and curled her legs up on the couch, tucking her feet in as she shifted to face him.
Hakim liked how at home she looked, how easily she made herself comfortable there. He leaned back and pulled soft burgundy throw off the chair next to the couch, and then handed the blanket to Lauren.
“Here. If you’re getting comfortable, you need this.”
She smiled at him and took the blanket. Hakim watched as she tucked it in around her legs and feet, then leaned her head against the couch, cheek pressed to the comfortable fabric.
“It’s funny, isn’t it?” she asked, almost like she was talking to herself.
“What is?” Hakim asked her.
“That we get along well.”
Hakim studied her for a moment. They did get along well, and he was still a little surprised by it.
Lauren watched him, eyes half shut. “See, it’s funny.”
He conceded her point with a nod. “But not unpleasant.”
“True. Which is part of the funny. Patricia would have a fit if she knew I were here.”
“I’m glad you’re here,” Hakim said quietly.
Lauren smiled and murmured an agreement. Her eyes closed completely, and Hakim stretched out on the couch, too, his feet brushing up against her legs. She shifted so that she was a bit closer to him, and Hakim brushed his hand across her shoulder so that she would know she could get more comfortable.