Lord of Rain (The Dragon Demigods #5) - Charlene Hartnady Page 0,76

Bolt.”

I frown. “No, I hit it off with one of the wives. I must say, they were a good bunch. It was cool.”

“Doesn’t sound much like work.”

“It was more of a meet-and-greet. Bolt wants me to get to know all of his exec members so that I know who I’m dealing with…work-wise. It’ll make things easier when I have to organize meetings and the like.”

She looks at me funny, like she suspects something. “I guess that makes sense. So, no more fun stories, then?”

I shake my head.

“No more pictures of you in magazines?”

I shake my head again. “Thankfully not. I’m putting my head down, trying hard to get a handle on things. Zeus Group encourages employees to take courses and to study further. They give fully paid leave days, and even cover half the cost of the tuition – provided you pass. I’m going to enroll in a typing course. Possibly even some business-related courses…business management maybe. I may as well learn while I’m there. I’m sure I would be able to use the knowledge at the bakery.” My heart sinks as I think of Buns and my dad.

“How are things at Buns?” Candice takes a sip of her wine.

I feel my shoulders slump even further.

“That bad, huh?”

I nod. “Worse. I asked Bolt for advice. I mean, he turns failing businesses around for a living. He’s fantastic at it.”

“What did he say?”

“He—”

The doorbell rings. “That’s our supper. I’ll be back in a sec.”

I nod. Thinking about the bakery makes me think of the cupcakes I made this morning. I still can’t believe Bolt actually ate them. My mind wanders back to the moment.

I’d headed back to my desk, walking really slowly. The heels were a killer. My phone dinged with a message within a minute.

Bolt: So, you made these especially for me? I believe you used the term ‘inspired’.

Me: Don’t eat them!

Bolt: Too late!

Me: No! Why?

I decided I was not going to apologize. Forget that! I told him not to eat them, and he didn’t listen.

Bolt: Fiery hot, like you. Yum! The popping candy was a nice touch, as well.

Me: OMG! I can’t believe you ate one! Shocked emoji

Bolt: One…nope…try three. I saved two for later. Best I’ve ever had. You know me so well. Sweet and hot, all wrapped into one tasty bite with extra frosting.

Gulp. I still feel my cheeks heat when I re-read his message. I know for sure he’s being flirtatious. I decided to ignore it and I’m still ignoring it. Instead, I answered:

Me: Do you have any idea how much chili powder I put into those?

Bolt: I’d say a ton of the stuff. Again, I love heat. I devoured them. I’ll be eating the rest later, and I’ll think of you… Wink emoji

I smiled when I read that, which irritated me. I should not have been smiling when he texted me things like that. Then it occurred to me that we should not have been texting each other at all.

Me: No flirting!! I’m your PA. You are my boss! I need to get back to work.

Bolt: Let me know if you change your mind.

Me: I won’t!

Bolt: That’s fine, but let me know if you do. Maybe you’ll sleep on it and feel differently.

Me: I won’t! While we’re at it, we shouldn’t be texting. It isn’t…professional.

Bolt: What if it’s business-related?

Me: I guess that would be acceptable. Any other texting is a no-no.

Bolt: Your wish is my command, Miss Shaw.

I roll my eyes again and smile.

“Pray, do tell what made you smile like that?” Candice asks. Her arms are full of takeout bags.

“Oh, my goodness! How much did you order?”

“Um…hello! It’s you we’re talking about. I ordered a feast. Unless you’ve forgotten, you eat a lot, and you like more than one thing.”

I smile. “That’s very true. You are the best.”

“I also happen to know that you eat more when you’re stressed.” She holds up the bags.

“I love you so much.”

She gives me kissy lips. “Now tell me all about that smile. Who is the text from? Bolt, perhaps?” She gets out plates and cutlery.

“No,” I say a little too sharply. “Of course not. It was this silly meme on Facebook.”

“Really? A meme brought out that smile?” She starts walking towards her kitchen.

I get up to help with plates and cutlery, but she waves her hands at me once she’s offloaded the bags. “Stay there. I’ll manage. Tell me about Bolt’s advice.”

The life drains out of me all over again. “He basically said that we need to