Sweet Love - Mia Kayla Page 0,21

let you get back to your book. But let’s talk later about your decision.”

“Sounds good.”

He turned to leave, but then he stopped and turned back around. “Charlie … let me know what happens.”

“With what?”

“With the sexy, filthy boss. You know … if he gets the girl?” And then he winked and walked away.

Shit. Oh, shit.

I could’ve ignored all the little signs before, but now, I thought Connor Colby had been flirting with me.

Chapter 7

Charlie

I was one of five people who serviced Colby’s for the Chicagoland area that experienced computer problems. Mostly, I’d field calls and walk people through their issues on the phone, but there were certain times that I couldn’t solve the issues, and I’d have to do desk calls.

Nancy had called to tell me that her computer wasn’t working. She must have been close to eighty, which was past retirement age with her set of all-white hair and reading glasses, so I wondered why she was still here. I grouped her with the Alyssas of the world—those who worked because they believed in the company.

I pressed the power switch off to power down her computer, then pressed it again to turn it on. Sometimes, all a computer really needed was a reset. Didn’t we all?

“So, it’s your first week on the job?”

Her sweet voice reminded me of my own grandma, and a pang shot straight to my chest at the absence of her. She’d died when I was only a teenager, but still, we had been close.

“It is.”

“And you like this company so far, dearie?” She opened one of her drawers and pulled out a box of cookies. “Want one? Sometimes, all this candy is too much, and I want something sweet but not chocolate.”

I nodded with understanding. “No. It’s okay.” I patted my nonexistent hip. “Trying to watch my figure.” I winked.

“So, you didn’t answer my question.” Her eyes crinkled at the sides as she took a bite of her cookie.

“Oh, I like it here. I do. So far, everyone has been nice to me. And you can’t complain about the perks.” I leaned in closer as though it were a secret. “Especially unlimited candy and chocolates.” Even though it was a perk I didn’t care about, I was sure I was the minority. This made her laugh again. “How long have you been here?”

“Forever. I was here years ago when Colby Chocolates first started, and now, I can’t believe how fast and large it’s grown. We’re a nice little family here.” She took another bite of her cookie, and crumbs fell down her chin. She stuffed the cookie in her mouth and immediately grabbed for another one like a little kid.

Must be that good.

“Are you from around here?” she asked.

I reached toward the back of her computer and powered it up. “No, originally from Wisconsin. My mom got remarried a few months back, and so we’re living here now.”

“So, how are the new surroundings … the new family?”

“It’s been an adjustment,” I said. “The best thing about moving so far has been this job, to be honest.”

My newfound friendships with Alyssa and Casey made it easier for me to come to a job I didn’t care too much for. These connections I’d made were the reasons this job was enjoyable.

“I’m glad to hear that, dearie. The longer you’re here, the more you’ll find out that we’re one real-life family.”

“Keeping busy I see.” Connor’s deep baritone had me flipping forward, almost knocking my head against the screen.

The broadness of his shoulders and his tall height were overpowering, intimidating.

Pitter-patter. Pitter-patter. There went my freaking racing heart, betraying me.

Goodness, my poor, fragile heart couldn’t take another episode like the one during lunch the other day, and plus, it’d made me overthink way too much. Had he been flirting or not?

“And you … shouldn’t you be working harder?” I sassed, reaching for the back of the computer, doing nothing in general because, shit, I wasn’t sure what was exactly wrong. It was either pretend to know what I was doing or go blind. Because looking at him made my eyes hurt. Like, physically hurt. Like, I had looked directly at the sun for far too long.

Nancy laughed at my comment.

“Nancy here couldn’t figure out why her computer wasn’t working.”

He reached for Nancy’s cookie box in her lap and tucked it under his arm. “I think you’ve had enough cookies.” The muscles in his jaw tightened, his gaze alert, as though Nancy were going to be grounded in the next hot