that’s why only old people eat Colby’s.”
He looked at me as though I’d offended him in some way.
I bit my lip from talking any further.
After a beat, our gazes went back to the candy wall.
“Sweet, tart, or chocolate?” he asked.
Candyman was staring at me as though the answer to this question would unlock some deep, dark secret. I thought about it. I preferred gum. Gum kept me from saying too much or falling asleep on a job, and it caused me to stop binge-eating when I was just plain bored and not even hungry.
“Neither. I’m not really into any of this.”
He tilted his head and assessed me. “That’s crazy. Why would you work for a candy company if you weren’t into candy? And I have never met a woman who doesn’t like chocolate. You don’t even like chocolate?”
“Nope. Not even the ones with caramel and nougat inside.”
Plus, chocolate didn’t bring back the best type of memories.
He reached on the shelf and grabbed another candy bar named Goodlicious. When he tore it open, I peered around me. It felt like I was opening a candy bar without even paying for it yet. He broke the piece in half and extended it my way, and nausea slapped me in the face.
The smell of cleaning solution mixed with chocolate hit me in the nose, causing me to relive a memory.
I pushed those thoughts aside and forced myself to straighten.
He didn’t have to literally shove their product down my throat.
“No, it’s okay. You have it. And to answer your question, why can’t I just be here for a paycheck?”
He reeled back, actually shocked.
Because that was what it came down to. This job was just a means to an end. Money to pay for the space for my exhibit.
“Tell me you love your job as the spokesperson for Colby Chocolates.” I lifted my chin and quirked an eyebrow, curious. “Like, really love it and that’s why you do it and you wouldn’t mind not getting paid.”
He could very well love being the pretty-boy face of Colby’s.
“How do you know I’m the spokesperson for Colby’s?” He popped the chocolate bar in his mouth and began to chew, and momentarily, I was stunned and fascinated at how he chewed, staring at his lips.
I blinked back into focus. “Because you’d sell more in that candy outfit than dressed up in your regular uniform.” And now, I was definitely flirting and had no filter. What was wrong with me?
Someone should’ve told him he could be modeling instead of working here. His mother and father had definitely failed him.
He sported this evident smirk, and the longer our eyes locked, the hotter my cheeks flamed. But for the life of me, I couldn’t look away.
“Connor … Connor.” Casey, the woman giving me the company tour, ran toward us at a full-on sprint, almost knocking into the wall.
As awkward went, Casey—the mousy girl with the thick-rimmed glasses—embodied all of that.
I was thankful for her interruption.
“So, I guess you’ve met Charlotte.” Casey bent over, placed her hands on her knees, and breathed deeply as though trying to catch her breath.
“No, not formally. But I guess I have now. Nice to meet you, Charlotte.”
“Charlie.” I placed my hand in his extended one.
His handshake was firm, strong, masculine. Mine was clammy and sweaty as though I’d washed my hands and forgot to dry.
“I have to get going, but I’m sure I’ll see you around.” He held my hand and my stare for far too long until I exhaled and finally extracted my fingers from his.
“See you around.”
Then, he turned and walked farther down the aisle. My eyes were glued to his figure until he turned a corner and was gone.
“I’ve never seen a man as fine as that one,” I huffed out. Because if you couldn’t be honest with another woman about admiring the male species, who else could you be honest with?
“Who? Connor? Yeah, ew.” Casey’s face pinched. “Negative. Never. Ever. Not even if he were the last dick on earth. We grew up together. He’s like my brother.”
I laughed. Okay, duly noted. Casey wasn’t attracted to the Connor kind.
My head flipped back toward her direction. “What was the matter? You ran out here like the company was on fire and this was the safe zone.”
Thank goodness she hadn’t face-planted into the candy wall.
“I was afraid I’d left you for too long. Sorry, when nature calls, it calls.” She smirked.
I grabbed another Goodlicious bar and handed it to her. Someone should enjoy some chocolate