he didn’t look into it that first day, like he said he did, he was correct, and since we don’t report to each other, there are no issues with us dating.
The rumor mill was on full tilt when we got back to work after that New Year’s Eve party. People had heard that I was going with Branson, and no one believed for a minute that it was fully work-related. No matter how much I’d tried to tell myself that his intentions were pure, I should have known better.
Someone from our work just happened to be outside when Hunter met me on the steps. I’m sure, before midnight, texts were sent and messages left, and co-workers just waited for the next meeting at the water cooler, starting with, “Guess what I saw.”
Branson was probably happy he was able to fall back on the act of it truly not being a date and that I was only there to further my career. And honestly, so was I.
I never wanted to be the office gossip or—dare I even say—the office slut who two head guys were fighting over. It all played out for the best, and no one can try to say I slept my way into my new position. They all know I worked very hard for that spot, and me leaving the event to be with Hunter at the stroke of midnight only proved that point more.
Two weeks of dating Hunter turned into months that flew by. By September, he was asking me to move in with him. I thought he was crazy at first, and I said it was too soon, but when he kept pointing out exactly how little time I was physically spending in my apartment, I knew he was right.
Most guys might freak out about their girlfriends taking over their space, but Hunter had offered it right away. When he bought me my own toothbrush and hair dryer to keep at his house, I knew there were no more questions about where our relationship was going. By May, I’d already had a spot in his closet and my own drawers in his room.
Moving in the rest of my things wasn’t that big of a deal. I always felt very at home at his place, so I wasn’t upset that I didn’t get to keep my couch or bring over my dresser. Thankfully, Sofia had known the move was coming, and she had already started talking to someone else about taking my place when I was ready to make that leap. The other girl was leaving a bad relationship, so I felt even better, being able to give her my furniture and help her get back on her feet.
There was only one thing that was truly personal to me, and I was excited when Hunter removed a painting from his wall, so I could put up my castle pictures without even asking. It’s those special items that make a place a home, and the collection was even better with the addition of the picture of when Hunter took me to the castle here in New York.
Living with him has been both an experience and a fantasy, and I’m sure whatever he has planned for tonight will be no different. I search around the room to see what else needs to be done before I leave for the night.
When I take in the way his eyes are sparkling with mischief, I have to try not to laugh. “I’d love to join you, but I have to finish up here first, so whatever is going on inside of that head will have to wait for just a bit longer,” I tell him.
He takes off his coat and places it on a nearby chair. “Then, let’s get to work.”
Hunter helps fold all of the chairs and tables, stacking them on a cart, while Sheryl and I clean the rest of the room. I love how he enjoys the fact that he’s working. It seems to be a trait of his. Hunter is very easygoing, rolling with the punches, and he doesn’t seem to ever complain.
It makes being with him very easy as well.
With both of us working, we’re able to finish up quickly, and before we know it, we’re saying good-bye to Sheryl and everyone else.
As we step outside, the snow falls all around us. After I set my hat on my head, I reach over to pull Hunter’s collar up.
“You sure do take good care of me,” Hunter says