“I think you are well on your way,” she said with a laugh. “Remember, I’m your tax lady. I know all your dirty laundry.”
I winked. “Not all.”
“What happens when you do make it?” she asked. “Do you have a goal? How do you know when you’ve reached your goal?”
I thought about it for a second. “I don’t know. I think I’ll know when I get there.”
“Does he know what you’ve done so far?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know, and I don’t care.”
“All right then.”
“What about you?” I asked. “Have you always wanted to be a CPA?”
“Yes,” she answered. “I loved math in school. I did lots of economic stuff, and when I was staring at the college classes, I realized nothing else appealed to me. I wanted to do accounting. It’s kind of like doing puzzles. I love plugging in numbers and watching the magic happen. It’s fun.”
“I’m going to have to take your word for it,” I said with a laugh. “I was not great at math. I can do it, but I don’t get excited about it.”
She giggled. “I think accountants are a different breed.”
“I think you are the prettiest accountant I’ve ever seen,” I told her. “I’ve been doing a bit of a dance around the firms in the city, and I have to tell you, accountants are not generally the most exciting people.”
“Hey,” she protested. “We can be fun and exciting.”
“I have no doubt in my mind you can be very fun.”
She had a bright smile. “I never knew wealthy businessmen could be fun either.”
“I don’t think I’m wealthy, but I guarantee I can be fun.”
“I bet you are,” she said coyly.
We finished our dinners, getting to know one another a little better. I was not ready to part ways with her. I wanted to hang out a little longer. “Do you have plans?”
“Plans?” she questioned.
I was certain she knew what I was asking. She was being coy. “Right now. Do you need to go home?”
She slowly shook her head. “I don’t need to.”
“Come home with me,” I said while looking her in the eyes. My voice was low, barely above a whisper. I wasn’t new to the game. I was very good at the game.
She hesitated. I wouldn’t pressure her. “Okay,” she said.
I got to my feet and practically ran for the door with her right behind me. We got back to my place, which was nothing more than a very small one-bedroom apartment.
“This is cute,” she said as she looked around.
I pulled a bottle of wine from the small wire rack on the counter. “Can I get you a drink?” I asked.
“Yes, please,” she said as she walked around the small living room. “How long have you lived here?”
“A couple of years,” I answered.
“You travel light,” she joked.
“I figure once I find a place I want to be in for a while, I’ll buy stuff then. I don’t want to pack around a bunch of junk.” I handed her the glass of wine.
“Don’t be offended by this, but you can afford something bigger in a better neighborhood.”
I smirked. “I could but it would cut into my savings. I’ll live like a pauper for a while longer. Soon enough, I’ll have a penthouse and be looking down on the city from high above. This is temporary.”
“I think that’s very smart. You’re being frugal. You are an accountant’s wet dream.”
I raised my brows. “Am I your wet dream?”
She sucked in a breath. I made her nervous. “Maybe.”
I walked to the remote and turned on the TV. I flipped through until I found the channel with the fireplace video that played continuously. I turned it up just a little. The sound of wood crackling set the perfect ambiance. I turned off the lights and took her hand. I led her to the couch to sit down in front of our pseudo-fire.
“Is this your go-to move?” she teased.
I grinned. “Is it working?”
“It’s very nice.”
We sipped wine in front of the fake fireplace and snuggled together. It was nice to just be chill with someone who didn’t have any expectations. She was down to earth. I didn’t feel like I needed to show off for her. She was someone I could have a conversation with and not watch every word I said. I didn’t have to sound pompous.
I leaned over and took a chance. I kissed her neck. I heard her suck in a breath. She didn’t pull away. I kissed again, sliding my mouth toward her ear