“That’s exactly why you can’t help me.”
“And that’s exactly why I will be helping you.” He grips his hair, and I point at him. “You’re going to go bald.”
He drops his hand and shakes his head. “Hell, what would I do without you, Larkin?” The adorable, needy look in his eyes makes my stomach flip, and Beau’s taunting comes to the forefront of my mind.
I don’t like my boss.
Because he’s just that, my boss.
But am I maybe slightly infatuated? And when I say “slightly”? I mean . . . very slightly. Like a sliver. A whisper.
Yes.
But it’s hard not to be when he’s so . . . so . . . perfect.
“You would survive without me, but life wouldn’t be as interesting.” I smirk.
“You got that right.”
I take a step toward him, closing the distance between us. Even though he’s had a rough day, I love seeing this side of him, this human side. I love seeing him relaxed and in a pair of sweatpants. I love seeing his vulnerability, and I love even more how he has no problem being vulnerable in front of me.
“Are you feeling better?” I ask.
“I am.” His eyes meet mine. “Thank you, Larkin. I know this isn’t part of your job responsibility, but I appreciate you coming here tonight and talking with me, talking this out.”
I reach out and squeeze his arm. Lately it seems like I can’t stop touching him. “You realize you’re more than my boss, right? You’re my friend too, and I’m always here for you, whenever you need it. Today was tough. I’m glad that you texted me. I would have been upset knowing you went to bed angry, frustrated, or dejected.”
“All things I was feeling . . . until you showed up.” His grateful eyes connect with mine, and God, it’s tempting to lean in closer.
My hearts twists in my chest as a wave of lust and nerves pulses through me. Be cool, Larkin.
“Well, I’m grateful you were open with me. I know it takes a lot to open up like that. You made it easy on me.” I glance down at my watch. “I should probably get to bed if we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow.”
“And what would that day be?” he asks as he follows me to his door. He opens it, and I step into the doorway while he grips the frame, his large body creating a domineering and nearly irresistible presence.
“Looking for an itinerary?”
“You know how much an itinerary pleases me.” And finally, a little joke.
There’s something to be said about making someone feel better when they’re at an all-time low, and I can proudly say I helped Ford Chance feel better.
“Okay.” I lean against the doorframe, our bodies only a foot apart. He doesn’t move, though; instead he leans in closer—close enough for me to catch a whiff of his signature cologne that smells like sandalwood and bergamot. “An itinerary.”
“Yeah, an itinerary,” he chuckles.
Pull it together, Larkin. It’s a simple whiff of cologne, not a love spell.
“Sure, how about this,” I say, gathering myself. “We get in a good run tomorrow, clear our heads and start the day off right. Shower and then walk over to the juice bar and grab some kale smoothies.”
“Yum.” He laughs. “I love a juiced green.”
“If I didn’t know you, I’d think you were being sarcastic, but that’s not the case here.”
“Not even a little. What’s after the smoothie?”
“We go to your parents’ house and clear out your room. This is where we will collect evidence.”
“You make it sound like we’re solving a murder.”
“Maybe we are.” I chuckle. “The murder of your . . . uh . . . childhood?”
“If that helps, sure.”
“Great, so we’re solving the murder of your childhood, which makes things exponentially more depressing. Maybe we don’t solve a murder, but instead, solve an awakening.”
“An ‘awakening’? Yeah, that doesn’t sound right either.”
I tap my chin. “Okay, let me think on it. But anyway, we’ll clear out your room, reminisce, and look for incriminating items that I can use against you for years.”
“Years.” His brows raise. “Does this mean I didn’t scare you off and I shouldn’t expect a resignation letter anytime soon? Because you know that would be devastating.”
I smile. Can’t hear that enough.
Seriously, he’s always made me feel needed, valued, and it’s a big attribute when it comes to working with him.
“It’ll take a lot more than a conversation by the fire to scare me off.”
“It wasn’t just a conversation,” he says quietly. “It was beyond what you should have to talk to me about.”
“And I told you, I’m your friend too. You’ve been there for me, many times. I’m just returning the favor.” I poke his side. “It’s not a one-way street. Helping each other emotionally can go both ways.”
“I guess so,” he says with a sigh. “Okay, so I guess I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow morning for a run?”
“Yeah, seven work?”
“Sure does.” He gives me a soft smile. “Thank you, Larkin.”
“Of course. Have a good night.” I turn away and feel his eyes stay on me while I make my way to my room. Something desperate inside me wants to turn back around and run into his arms, give him a hug, tell him everything is going to be okay. But I know that would be crossing the line. Even the little pokes and touches I can’t help are crossing the line.
So instead, I keep my eyes forward and let myself into my room before I can do anything stupid. Once the door is shut, I lean against it and take out my phone. Pulling up the text thread with Beau, I shoot him a quick message.
Larkin: Shit went down with the Chance family. Be prepared.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
FORD
“Larkin!” Mom shouts, pulling her into a hug, bypassing me in the hallway of my childhood home. I bump into the wall as my mom gushes over my assistant.
Even though I want to be insulted, I get it. It’s not the first time she’s chosen to hug Larkin first, and I’m sure it won’t be the last either.
“You’ve been here for a week, and we haven’t seen you yet—do you not like us anymore?” Mom asks, still squeezing Larkin tightly.
“It’s not by my doing,” Larkin says, her voice muffled by my mom’s shoulder. “Your son has been bogarting me. Take your complaints up with him.”
My mom lets Larkin go from her bear hug but doesn’t let her get far as she reaches down and holds her hand. Yeah, if Larkin was anybody else, they’d probably be reporting us to human resources in a second, but not Larkin. According to my parents, she’s a part of this family, and it didn’t take my parents very long to stake such a claim on her. Dad remembered her from visiting the store so much, and Mom was immediately charmed by Larkin’s smile. It’s pretty much impossible to keep it professional with Larkin where my family is concerned.
“Oh, I’ve been letting him know how unhappy I am that he’s secluding you in the bed-and-breakfast. Did you know I told him you two should stay here? I even offered up his bed for you, but he denied that request faster than I could ask.”