Window Shopping
“Oh.” The word blows out of me, along with my sense of disappointment. In flows the opposite. A sense of comfort. Relief. Appreciation. Not only did he pick out my gift quickly, he picked out the perfect one. “That’s really thoughtful,” I say, stumbling over my words. “I’d love to get this as a gift, Aiden. Really.”
He lets out a breath, chuckles. “It was touch and go there for a second.”
“My mistake. I should have known…” I trail off, shaking my head. “Okay, your turn.” I start to hand over the gift, then hesitate. “It seemed like a great choice until right this second.”
“Ah ha. You’ve got the gift giver heebie-jeebies. Totally natural.” He doesn’t try to take the small box from me, but sits and waits with his big hands resting on his outstretched thighs. “Whatever it is, it won’t be as bad as Aunt Edna’s gift on Christmas of ninety-four. She took me out in the backyard in my pajamas and taught me how to field dress a rabbit.”
“What? Jesus!”
“She nailed the surprise element. I’ll give her that.”
Blinking, I hand him over the gift. “Consider me cured of the heebie-jeebies, I guess.”
He weighs the box in his hand, his dark brows drawing together. “Huh. I can’t figure out what this is. Which department is it from?”
“No hints. I might not pull off a Thumper-slaying level of surprise, but mild shock would be nice.” I realize my knee is bouncing now and reach down to stop it.
Aiden follows the action and smiles.
“Open it,” I clip out, crossing my arms.
“Yes, ma’am,” he drawls, drawing off the deep brown leather of the top. “Binoculars.”
I wait for a reaction. And I don’t get one.
Of course he would choose this moment to be stoic. His expression is giving away nothing. “Uh huh. Binoculars,” I say, as he continues to look down at them in a considering way. “You know…” I uncross my arms and wave a hand between us. “You know, because you’re always looking up.”
Wow, says Nicole’s voice in my head. What a try hard.
“I love them,” Aiden says, turning them over in his hands. “Thank you.”
The genuine appreciation in his tone makes me feel good. Too good. Better than I’ve felt in a long, long time. The combination of pride and pleasure is almost a shock to the system.
“It was just a game. Anyway…” I come to my feet so quickly, I nearly upset the chair. “Tomorrow is the window unveiling, so I should probably catch the train soon—”
“I’d already given some thought to what I’d get you for Christmas. That’s how I found the neck chain for your key so fast,” he says in a low voice, shaking his head. “Hell, I shouldn’t be telling you that.”
He…he’d already thought of what he’d buy me for Christmas? That weight on my chest from earlier continues to press down, but now it’s lower, too. Over my belly button. Everywhere. My lungs aren’t working as efficiently as usual. I’m standing now in front of his chair, so close that our knees would touch if I shuffled forward ever so slightly. “Why shouldn’t you tell me that?”
The way his eyes lift and rake over me quickly, filling with smoke, is my only answer.
“Oh.” I wet my suddenly dry lips. “Because of the rule. I…read it in the handbook.”
“Did you?” Without breaking eye contact, he sets the binoculars on the table. “What did it say, Stella?”
His use of my name in this instance seems…heavier. An anchor dragging along the ocean floor. Or is that my neglected hormones playing tricks on me? I’m going to feel like a moron if I’m totally misreading the situation and this annoying attraction is completely one-sided. If he’s just being nice and my social skills are too out of practice to see it. “Well.” Just say it. Get it out. “It said there is a strict non-fraternization policy between any member of management and an employee of The Cook Corporation.”
He nods, searches my face. Seems to be deciding whether or not to say something. “Unless…those two people were to sign some paperwork with human resources. Acknowledging their intention to date and releasing the company from any liability. It’s called a love contract—and I know, it’s a little on the nose.” The chair creaks under him as he shifts, visibly restless. When his gaze ticks back to mine, they’re deep with meaning. “But with the love contract signed, two people would be free to do whatever they want.”
“What do they want?” I whisper, before I can think better of it. Before I can remind myself of all the reasons getting any closer to Aiden Cook would be a mistake.
He’s my boss. I’m trying not to break rules anymore. Trying to figure out what and who I’m going to be in this giant world. A world I’ve been absent from for a long time and still seems like an alien planet to me most of the time. Breaking the non-fraternization rule wouldn’t put me in prison again, but it would jeopardize my dream job.