Daddy's Virgin (A CEO Boss Romance Novel)

One popped a thumb out of her mouth and said, "We have fuzzy yarn. It's yellow."

Tasha grinned. "That will work perfectly! I'll let the Parks and Recreation staff know they have helpers, and we'll see you in the garden."

"Thanks, we needed a new activity after the whole Playdough experiment went south," their teacher said. The woman gave me a big smile. "See you in the garden."

"Making friends?" I asked Tasha.

She watched the teacher's walk change to a suggestive sway and frowned at me. "Not as quick as you do."

"It's a talent, I know," I said.

Tasha turned and gave me a rueful smile. "Or a curse, depending on how you look at it. Are you ready for this?"

My voice fled so I nodded before I could speak. "Wait, ready for what?"

"You're going to roll up your sleeves and get into that garden," Tasha said.

I blocked her from heading to her car. "And what are you going to do?"

Tasha smiled. "Get this group some barbecue. I know a great place nearby. Go show them what GroGreen can do, and I'll be back with lunch. Unless you've had a better offer?"

I glanced at my phone. A row of messages had arrived from the other junior executives. Most were about joining them for lunch, but a few here and there wanted to know how I was faring with the Ice Queen. I dropped my phone in my pocket and peeled off my suit coat.

"Let's see, hanging out in the sunshine and getting a barbecue lunch or heading back to the office? No question, this is the best offer I've had all year," I said.

Tasha raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you bring a change of clothes?"

"Must have lost my overalls in the move," I said.

"That's an expensive suit, Rainer. Don't go too crazy," Tasha said.

"Too late," I said to myself as I watched her head for her car.

Chapter Nine

Tasha

There is no neat and tidy way to eat barbecue, even when wearing an expensive silk blouse. I hesitated at first, waiting until everyone else at the community center got a plate, but then it seemed odd and snobbish for me not to eat too. Plus, the food smelled so good I was practically drooling. Luckily, Rainer was eating his heaping plate near the food table while talking to Mr. Rey

nolds.

I watched him lick the thick, tangy sauce off his fingers until he caught my glance and smiled.

"Too spicy?" the woman next to me asked.

"The barbecue? No, it's delicious," I said.

She turned to look at Rainer. "Yeah, he is too," she said.

I recognized her as the front desk secretary of the community center. "He's my co-worker."

"So was my husband, once. My name is Deanna Reynolds," the woman said.

"You two still work together?" I hid my avid interest behind another bite of barbecue.

Deanna smiled. "We may only be a few yards from each other, but our work is totally different. That helps."

For a moment, I imagined a day when I was only separated from Rainer by a few yards. Would it always be as easy and fun as today?