His Off Limits Best Friend - Vivian Wood Page 0,4

cut her off at the water fountain.

“It’s fine, don’t worry about it,” she said. Jenny clasped her chest and smiled gratefully.

Connor looked up at her when she walked in. He had one of the small lollipops she kept on her desk tucked into his cheek. “You got good news for me?” he asked, although it sounded like more of a command.

“Good news,” she said with a grin. “The boss approved a transfer. I’ll just need to get your fiancée’s contact information. Ex-fiancée,” she corrected herself. “Then we can—”

“You know what? Never mind. It doesn’t matter.”

“Never mind?” Had he miraculously reconciled with his ex while she’d been going to bat for him with the scariest boss ever?

“I have a proposal for you. But it would be outside the company’s… purview, if you will.” He leaned against her desk, thick arms crossed over his chest.

“Um, I’m not sure I know what you mean? Do you—do you still want me to transfer the invoice?”

He shrugged, nonchalant. “Do what you like in that regard, I’m done messing with it. But here’s what I do want you to do. Meet me for a drink later today.”

“A drink?” She was suddenly uncertain what to do with her hands. Sam pulled at her skintight skirt and readjusted the hem of her jacket.

“You know, a drink,” he said. “You, me, a bar of my choosing. What do you say?” He pulled the candy out from between his lips.

“Um, yes. Yeah, sure,” she said. “That sounds good.”

Connor looked her up and down, unabashedly. She felt his eyes crawl over the swell of her calves, linger at the splay of her hips and travel to her waist. He took in the curve of her breasts, the hollow of her throat and finally met her gaze—and held it for an uncomfortable amount of time. He nodded to himself, then turned and took a pen and pad of paper from her desk.

“Here’s the time, place, and my number,” he said as he tore off the piece of paper. He walked toward her and she gulped. “Don’t be late,” he said.

When he handed her the slip of paper, their hands touched and it was electric.

Connor left, and Sam along with the entire office watched his departure. What have you gotten yourself into now?

“Oh my God,” Jenny said as soon as he was swallowed by the elevator. “What was that? What happened?”

“I don’t—I’m not sure,” she said honestly.

“What’s that?” Jenny asked, and she snatched the paper out of Sam’s hand. “The Rye Bar? Sam, what’s going on? Did he… did he ask you out? Are you going?”

“Jenny, be quiet,” Sam said softly.

“Sam! C’mon, you have to tell me. That was the weirdest, and hottest, thing I’ve ever experienced. So are you going or not? Is it tonight?”

“I don’t think I really have a choice,” Sam said. Connor had been so sure, so confident, like he never doubted for a second that she wouldn’t jump at the chance to go out with him.

“What do you mean? Sam, did he threaten you? Oh my God, I’ll never forgive myself if he—”

“Jenny, for goodness’ sake, he didn’t threaten me! I… yes, it’s tonight, and yes I’m going.”

“Oh!” Jenny pretended to fan herself. “Dang, I wish I would have kept it together. Then maybe he would have asked me out. What are you going to wear?”

“I don’t know. This? I don’t think I have time to go home and change.”

“Don’t be stupid! Go buy something on your lunch break, get a Brazilian blowout—get a Brazilian wax, you crazy girl. You gotta make the most of tonight.”

Sam bit her lip and grinned at Jenny. “Maybe you’re right,” she said.

3

Connor

He waited at the bar and sipped on his Dalmore scotch. The rich wood paneling complemented the long stretch of the bar. Couples were draped over one another, men with wedding band tans on their fingers hungered over girls barely old enough to drink, and flocks of single girls teetered in stilettos. He’d always loved this place. You could be anybody here.

Connor smirked to himself. It had only taken him a few minutes after seeing Sam to hatch his plan. He knew his father was going to cut him off as soon as he heard about the broken wedding—that was part of the deal. Connor got the COO position as soon as he got married. And as far as his father was concerned, an engagement with a set date was as good as married.

But now? It didn’t matter that the paperwork