“Okay, Mr. McAllister.”
“So why were you late this morning, Ms. Waldron?”
“What do you mean?” I said, feeling my face warm. I mean, he wasn’t a mind reader. He couldn’t know what I’d been doing and what I’d been thinking about. There was just no way. It’s not like he could put cameras in my apartment. Could he?
“What do I mean? You were late, and I don’t see my coffee and I don’t see my croissant.”
“I, uh …” I stumbled over my words.
“It’s fine. Forget it,” he said.
My brow furrowed at his words. Forget it? He was acting so strangely. What had come over him. “Are you okay, Mr. McAllister?”
“I’m fine. Why?”
“Because you’re not acting like your usual self.”
“My usual self?”
“Yeah. All grumpy and bossy and mean.”
“Would you rather me shout at you for being late and not having my coffee and not having my croissant and not doing your job?”
“What do you mean? I am doing my job.”
“Is your job to stand here in the middle of the room and chat with me?”
“Whatever.” I shook my head and walked over to my desk.
“I’ve about had enough of you saying ‘whatever’ to me, Ms. Waldron.”
“Whatever.” I looked up at him as I sat down.
“And I don’t take impertinence well.”
“Whatever,” I said for good measure. “What are you going to do about it?”
“What am I going to do about it?” His lips twisted and he grinned at me. “What am I going to do about it? What would you like me to do about it?”
“I don’t know.” I shrugged casually, though there were a million things I could think of. I’d love for him to push me over his desk and slap my ass. I couldn’t believe that I was actually thinking that, but it was true. I had a kinky side. I was a woman, and he was a very handsome man. And well, if he weren’t my boss and a total AB, then maybe, just maybe, I’d have made a move on him and see where things went. Not that they were going to go anywhere far, but maybe one hot night of sex would be enough to tide me over for the next year.
“Ms. Waldron, you are spacing out.”
“Sorry, what?” I blinked at him.
“Nothing.” He chuckled. “I’m pretty sure I know what you’re thinking.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “Because I’m thinking the same thing myself.”
“Do you know how many times you said that to me?”
“Yeah.” He grinned. “But you know why I’ve said it that many times, don’t you?”
“No. Why?”
“Because it’s been true every single time.” He looked pleased with himself. “You know what you want, and I know what you want. And maybe, if you’re very lucky, it might happen. Think on that, would you?” He walked back to his desk. “Now, book the flights and give me the information as soon as possible. I’ll have to book a driver to pick us up once we land in Edinburgh.”
“Don’t you want me to do that?”
“There are some things that I can do by myself, Ms. Waldron. There are things that you can help me with, of course. And there are things that I’d love for you to help me with, but alas, will have to do for myself, for now.” He flashed me a devilish grin. “Now get to work, sweetheart.”
Chapter 28
Abby
* * *
“I can’t believe that I’m going to Scotland!” I said excitedly to Isabella, Chloe, and Emma. “Guys, it’s really happening.”
“Wow. You’re so lucky.” Chloe sounded envious. “You and Isabella have all the luck.”
“Hey, why are you bringing me into this?” Isabella asked.
“Because you have a gorgeous rich boyfriend who flew you to England a couple of months ago, and now Abby is lucky enough to be going to Scotland.”
“Well, technically I’m going to England and Scotland.” I laughed and then shook my head. “Sorry.”
“So why are you doing that again?” Emma said.
“Well, I got us a flight on British Airways which goes from JFK to Heathrow. And then we fly from Heathrow to Edinburgh airport. I couldn’t find any direct flights.” I continued packing my suitcase. “Okay. I know I’m only going for a week, but what other outfits should I pack? Do you think it’s going to be cold? I heard Edinburgh is cold, but it’s not going to be colder than New York, is it?”
“I don’t know,” Emma said with a pointed look. “I’ve never been, remember?”
“Sorry. Don’t worry. I’ll bring you guys back presents.”
“You better,” Chole said. “And don’t worry about us. We’re not really hating. I mean, you’re going with AB, so that’s not going to be like the most fun ever, is it?”
“No, it’s not. And, don’t remind me. He literally just texted me ten minutes ago saying he’s going to be here in thirty minutes and don’t be late.”
“Girl, you’ll have fun.”
“I guess so, but I’m going to be on a flight with him for eight hours.”
“Oh, is that all?”
“Yeah, it’s going to be seven hours pretty much from JFK to Heathrow. And then we have about a two-hour layover in London and then it’s going to be an hour and a half from Heathrow to Edinburgh.”
“Oh man, that sounds cool.”
“I know. I’m excited. I can’t lie. I’m going to Edinburgh. Scotland. Oh, my bonnie lass.” I put on my best Scottish accent.
Isabella started laughing. “Oh my gosh, you’re so funny.”
“Did you guys know that Robert Louis Stevenson was Scottish?”
“Nope,” Emma said.
“And guess who else?”
“Who?” Chloe said.
“Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.”
“No way! The guy that wrote Sherlock Holmes?” Isabella looked up in surprise. “I always thought he was English.”
“Don’t let the Scottish hear you say that,” I laughed.
“Why not?” Emma said.
“Because the Scottish do not like to be called English. I guess they voted recently and a lot of them want to leave Great Britain or the United Kingdom or whatever.”
Emma’s eyes widened. “What do you mean? Like secede?”
“I guess they have their own parliament, and they want to be independent.”
“Oh, wow. Do you think it will happen?”
“I don’t really know. I don’t really know much about politics. I didn’t even know they wanted to be their own country until five hours ago.” I stuffed a few more clothes into my suitcase. “But kind of cool, huh?”
“I guess so. Don’t get caught up in any sort of political turmoil.”
“I don’t think I’m going to.” I giggled. “Okay. Should I take any dresses?”