After All - Romancing Manhattan
“But lately, I’ve noticed things. Like the dimple in his left cheek, and the way his ass looks in slacks. And he’s started turning that charming smile that he usually aims at clients on me, and I’m not sure what to make of it.”
“Sounds like your hormones are recovering from the divorce. And for the record, it’s about damn time.”
“But not with my boss,” I reply, shaking my head fiercely. “This can’t happen. I can’t have an affair with Carter. I love my job, and I have opportunities there. I’m not going to throw it all away because Carter has a nice ass. I’m not an idiot.”
“You’re definitely not an idiot,” he agrees. “And workplace romances are typically disastrous. Remember me and Stephan?”
“Who?”
“It doesn’t matter. You’re right. It can only end badly. So stop looking at his ass and focus on work. We’ll find you a suitable man somewhere else.”
“Why do you sound like my grandmother?”
Christopher laughs. “I’m way cooler than your grandmother.”
“Besides, I’m being a little presumptuous. Just because I think Carter’s hot doesn’t mean he feels the same way. In fact, I’m sure he doesn’t. He’s always perfectly professional.”
Except when he almost kisses me in the employee lounge and walks me to my car and tucks my hair behind my ear. But I don’t tell Christopher that part.
“You’re totally right. You’re beautiful, and he’s blind as a friggin’ bat if he doesn’t see it. I’m telling you, I think you’re ready to get back out there, and that’s great news. So now you just have to redirect that energy to dating.”
“Gross.” I stick my tongue out and gag. “I don’t want to date. I don’t know how to date. It just seems like too much energy.”
“Well, where are you going to put this sexual tension if you don’t date, Nora? Besides, you’re too pretty and too much fun to die alone.”
“Thanks, I think.”
“You could date online.”
“I would literally rather pluck every hair from my body than online date.”
Christopher nods in agreement. “You just need to get out more. Go to the gym. The grocery. Central Park.”
“I’m not looking for a serial killer.”
“Honey, they all frequent the same places. It’s a crapshoot.”
“Awesome.”
It’s been five days since Carter walked me to my car after work. Three workdays and a weekend. I spent Saturday with Gabby, shopping for new throw pillows for my apartment, and I think I can safely say that I’ve shaken off the weirdness from the past few months.
It was just hormones, that’s all. I mean, I am not interested in Carter. I know him too well. I work for him.
The thought of it is just silly.
“Good morning.” Carter sets a Starbucks mug on my desk and I look up in confusion.
“Good morning. You brought me coffee?”
“Sure. I stopped and got me some, so I grabbed you one, too. Well, a chai because that’s your favorite. Oh, and a muffin.”
He pulls the muffin, in a small paper bag, out of his pocket and sets it next to my tea.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” He winks, that dimple making an appearance in his cheek again, and turns to his office. But before he disappears inside, he turns back to me. “Do you need anything?”
“Wait a minute, that’s my line. Do you have a fever? Do you need me to make an appointment with Dr. Hansen?”
But Carter just laughs and disappears into his office, leaving me with a chai, a muffin, and complete confusion.
Since when does he fetch me coffee? And ask if I need anything?
He must be sick.
I check his appointments and see he’s scheduled for his annual checkup in two weeks. Maybe I should move it up.
“Hey, Nora,” Quinn says as he walks past my desk. “How’s it going?”
“I can’t complain,” I reply. “Is he expecting you?”
“Yep, he called me in,” Quinn replies.
“Would you like anything? Coffee? Breakfast?”
Quinn stops next to my desk and smiles kindly. His new wedding ring shines on his left hand.
“How’s Sienna?” I ask. I like Quinn’s new wife. She’s kind, and an excellent attorney.
“She’s amazing. And moving into her new office today.”
“Awesome. Good for her. I’ll go see if she needs anything.”
“You’d better watch yourself, Nora. I might just try to steal you away from Carter.”
I smile. All three of the partners are handsome, funny, and kind men. Working for any of them would be great.
“I’m afraid I’m stuck with Carter. I know too much. He’d have to kill me before he’d let me quit.”
“You’re probably right,” Quinn replies with a nod. “Have a good day, Nora.”
“You, too.”
With Carter busy, I hurry down the hall to Sienna’s new office and knock on the doorframe.
“Hey,” she says with a smile when she sees me. “Come on in.”
“I just saw Quinn and he said you were here, so I thought I’d check on you. Do you need anything?”
“A stiff drink would be great,” she says with a laugh. Sienna has amazing red hair that’s currently pulled into a tasteful knot. “I’m really fine. We’ve been talking about me coming to work here for months, so I shouldn’t be nervous.”