props a hip against the bar. She’s wearing skinny jeans, cowboy boots, and one of our logoed tank tops.
Why are her damn legs so long?
Caden flashes her a slow smile. “Not bad at all. Happy to be here.”
“Not as happy as we are.” She grins at him, all fluttery lashes. “Can I show you my domain?”
“It’d be a pleasure,” Caden says, in that warm, dripping-honey voice.
I’m not sure I can bear to witness this display. Time to retreat to safety. I clear my throat. “Since everything is under control, I’ve got work to do.”
I give a little wave and start to walk away.
“Wait,” Wyatt says.
I turn back around, refusing to look in Caden’s direction. “Yeah?”
“Are we ready for that tasting this afternoon?”
We hold private tastings for potential suppliers and restaurants. Setup is part of my job. I nod. “Yep. I’m headed there now to check on the last of the details.”
“Good.” My brother nods at me. “I’ll come find you at one thirty to run through the client background before they get here.”
“Sounds good.” I wave. “You all have fun.”
“Wait.” This time it’s Caden’s voice that stops me.
“Yeah?” The word sharper than I intend.
“When can I stop by your office?”
Of course, business. I need to get my head on straight about this man. “Give me thirty.”
“I can do that.” His gaze meets mine, and he gives me a slight nod that makes me feel dismissed.
Before I throw something at him, I swing around and take off, headed to the room where we entertain prospective suppliers.
Twenty minutes later, I’ve made sure all the last-minute details are taken care of, and I finally take a deep breath once I’m enclosed in my office.
I lean against my door and close my eyes.
Caden will be here any minute, taking up all the space, making me have thoughts I don’t want. Why do I have to be attracted to him? I don’t even like the man. He’s the last man on Earth I want to lust after, so why won’t my body cooperate with me? I thought my body had given up on the idea of men, I’ve been so uninterested in any prospective ones.
I shake my head up at the ceiling. Why do I always have to be at war with myself? Can’t this one thing be easy?
I’m just going to have to learn to control it. That’s the only option. It’s not like I can ever act on it. My only ray of hope is that as much as I’ll hate it, he’s new in town and hot enough that every single woman in a fifty-mile radius is going to make a run at him. With any luck, he’ll be sleeping with someone by the weekend—hopefully not Haley, but someone. He seems the type.
That will cool me significantly. I sigh a deep breath.
I walk over to my desk and sit down, powering up my computer.
My phone dings, and I look down at a text from Gabe. When do I get a thank-you dinner for saving your ass?
I want to say something scathing, but refrain. Because Gabe did save my ass, even though it comes with consequences I’m not happy about. Caden is clearly qualified, and Wyatt and Jackson are happy.
Caden’s paperwork is still on my desk, and I glance down at it. His handwriting is strong and bold, but barely legible. Not that it matters, since he only filled out enough information to put him on the payroll and get him set up in the system. All other information, like previous address and prior employment, is blank.
Dinner with Gabe will give me an opportunity to find out something more about the man. Subtly, of course. I don’t want to raise any suspicion that I have ulterior motives. It’s common practice to ensure I’m not hiring a criminal, after all.
I’m anxious for information, but I think I can wait a day to get my answers. I text back. How about Wednesday? I could bring pizza and beer and we can hang out at your place?
Living with family has its perks, but chilling on the couch isn’t one of them. There’s always someone going in and out of the room, or interrupting your show to just say one thing, or there’s a fight about what to watch. It will get easier once Gwen and Jackson’s house is done, but for now it’s crowded and noisy. I have a sitting area in my bedroom, but I don’t want to be trapped up there all the time.