Sweet Love - Mia Kayla Page 0,47

got every time I thought of her. At this rate, there was no doubt I’d have carpal tunnel soon.

When she entered the room, I took her in.

Her hair was up in a flowy ponytail, and her pants hugged her hips and ass as though they were cold. And I was jealous of her damn pants. I wanted to keep her ass warm.

I swallowed.

“Sit down.” She walked toward me.

In my head, it played out like a porno—her moving stealthily like a cat toward my chair. In my dreams, she’d hop on the table and strip for me.

“So …” I adjusted my collar. Is it hot in here? “I was thinking”—about your lips, about your body—“about the commercial we are going to do.”

She laughed as she took out her ChapStick and reapplied it to her lips again. The tint made her lips fuller.

I blew out a breath.

“I haven’t even agreed to anything yet,” she said.

She’d come up with the grand idea, and we were going to do a commercial to launch the concept to the board. I wanted us to film the commercial and present it together.

“I’m the face of the company, so it makes sense that I am involved, and it was your idea, so it only makes sense that you are involved.”

“I’m not commercial material.” She pulled her hair over her shoulder, twiddling with the ends.

“Whatever. You’re beautiful …” Our eyes locked again, and I cleared my throat. “It’ll translate well on camera. And you know the emotion that we are trying to convey. Charlie … please. I need you.”

Weren’t those the words of the century? How many times had I uttered those words to only this woman?

I needed her to help with the marketing efforts and rebranding of Colby Chocolates, and now, I needed her to film this commercial.

She chewed on her bottom lip like it was her favorite meal, and I wanted to help with the process and tell her I was hungry too.

“Okay. I’ll do it.”

Her agreement had my eyes flying up to meet hers.

I didn’t think I could smile any bigger. “Perfect. We’ll go shopping tonight.”

“Shopping?” Her eyebrows flew to her hairline.

“I’ve secured the production company to film this commercial. I’ve talked to my friend Wyatt about booking the locations where we are going to film. He owns a small production company and is the director for short films. I’ve also hired hair and makeup, but we need to go shopping for what we have to wear.”

She blinked again. “Can’t I just wear what I have?” Then, her eyebrows furrowed. “Forget it. I have nothing to wear. Tonight?” She straightened in her seat. “Okay. Tonight works.”

“Dinner first and then shopping?” Man, I was asking her on a date.

My question took her aback. “You mean, boardroom Chinese food?” There was a glimmer of amusement in her eyes.

I hadn’t meant Chinese food in the boardroom. This woman deserved a nice dinner, and if I was being truthful to myself, I wanted to take her out.

“I was going to take you somewhere special.” I cleared my throat again, suddenly nervous.

When a panicked look crossed her features, I added, “You’ve done so much for me … for this company. The least I can do is take you to a nice dinner.”

She looked down at what she was wearing. “Tonight?”

“Yes. And what you’re wearing is fine. I’ll take you somewhere nice but not anywhere that requires a certain dress code, okay?” There will be time for that later. As soon as my subconscious brain filtered that thought, I paused.

Charlie stood. “I still have work to do, but I’ll see you after work. I can’t do dinner tonight though. I have plans with my mom.”

My stomach sank and kept on going.

“All right, I’ll see you after work.” With Charlie, I realized I’d take what I could get.

Charlie

We were seated at the lunch table. Casey slid a Potbelly’s sandwich my way. My favorite—a meatball sub.

“Hey, girlie pie,” she said, plopping besides me.

Alyssa followed her in, sitting in her regular spot.

In a matter of weeks, I’d fit snuggly into their friend group, and I couldn’t be happier.

With Casey and Alyssa, the trying phase had ceased, and I was allowed to just be my true self. If it was silent, which it hardly ever was because we had Casey, it was fine.

I unwrapped my sandwich. “You don’t have to buy me lunch every day. You need to stop feeling guilty for things that were out of your control. I’ve been fainting at the sight of