Charming Co-Worker - Jeannine Colette Page 0,80

double Bushmills. We each pick up our glass and cheers to the New Year before taking a sip.

I place the tumbler on the bar top and turn to Hunter. Everything he taught me that fateful night comes back, and I slide out of my seat, positioning myself between his legs. When our eyes meet, I give him a sweet smile as I wrap my arms around the back of his neck.

“You know, when I think about the past two weeks, I can tell you that I fell for you, right here, just like this,” I say coyly.

His hands grip my hips, bringing me closer to him. “And how was that?”

“When you asked me to compliment you. For anyone else, I would have spoken about their outside attributes, but for you, it was you as the entire package. I guess I always thought you were out of my league, so I never considered just how incredible you were. Until that moment, you were just my friend who brightened my day every time you walked into the room.”

He leans up to kiss my lips. “Can I tell you, I told my sister basically the same thing about you?”

A smile graces my face, so large that my cheeks hurt. “Really?”

Hunter grins while he nods. “Yep. She told me to stop being a dumbass.”

I laugh out loud in shock. “Seriously?”

He tilts his head to the side. “Well, not in so many words, but I know what she meant.”

“I’m glad you listened to her.” I snuggle up closer.

His arms grip me tighter. “Me too.”

“So, what’s your New Year’s resolution, Mr. Johnstone?”

He kisses me softly before saying, “To be right here, just like this, with you on the next New Year’s Eve.”

As the countdown to the New Year begins, neither of us cares as we seal our New Year’s fate with each other in the best way possible, wrapped in each other’s arms, kissing in the most passionate way, two weeks be damned.

Epilogue

One Year Later

“I have to admit, I’m surprised you’re still volunteering,” Sheryl says as we clean up the men’s shelter.

I Lysol the folding table and wipe it clean with a rag. “I like being here, especially around the holidays. It feels good to help out. Plus, I’ve been pretty fortunate lately.”

She smiles. “Paying it forward?”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

With a broom, she follows me, cleaning up the crumbs I’m pushing onto the floor. “Not many women last long here. They get frightened by some of the men who look at you like a piece of meat and are scared by the ones with delusions. Just remember to be careful.”

I roll my eyes. “You sound like someone I know.”

“Your boyfriend?” She lifts her brows.

“Hunter isn’t a jealous guy, but he certainly is protective.”

It’s been a year since we started dating, and in that time, I’ve grown more in love with him by the day. I’ve learned that being his girlfriend is akin to being family. Once you’re part of his definition of family, he protects you for life.

With a laugh, she points to the door. “I can tell. He definitely keeps an eye on you. He seems pretty smitten too.”

I look over to where she’s pointing. Hunter is standing by the door with his peacoat on and a roguish grin on his face.

I rush over to him. “What are you doing here? I thought you’d still be working on that Christmas Eve special?”

His hair is glistening from the snow that must be falling outside.

“I was able to get away early.” He shoves his hands in his pockets and leans back on his feet. “I thought I’d swing by and see if I could coax you into joining me somewhere before we get on the road.”

I narrow my eyes. “You always have something up your sleeve.”

“That I do, kid,” he responds with his shit-eating grin that I’ve come to love.

This year has been a whirlwind for sure. No matter what occurred on New Year’s Eve between Branson and me, we didn’t let it get in the way of our work relationship. He stood by his word, and by February, I started my new position as a media market strategist. I finally have my dream job, but even better, I have my dream man.

Working for the same company as Hunter definitely has its benefits too. I still get my daily visits that I always loved so much from him, only this time, he leaves me with a kiss and a promise for something later. Even though I know