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To make matters more daunting, I notice her absence if she’s not around. How she manages to make even our briefest interactions memorable is beyond me, and yet, it’s also the reason I'm in this predicament.

I rub my temples, hoping to massage away the tension forming there. Letting feelings bleed into professional territory is dangerous, something I’ve carefully avoided in the past. But Scarlett, with her fiery mane and dazzling confidence, seems to unearth a part of me I didn’t know existed.

Talk about putting the cart before the horse. Offering a ride on my private jet is more than just an olive branch; it's hanging an elaborate banner that says, “Pussy-whipped and loving it.” But the possibility of loving Scarlett is worth destroying every comfortably drawn line I’ve ever established.

I’m in my office, trying to focus on the spreadsheets that demand my attention, but my concentration is cloudy at best. Thoughts of my curvy little assistant flit through my mind like insistent butterflies refusing to be ignored. The offer I’d made yesterday keeps replaying in my head like a record stuck on repeat.

When Scarlett walks in, her presence commands the room as always. Her mane of curly red hair frames her face, drawing attention to those expressive green eyes of hers. Even today, when she looks as if something isn't sitting right with her universe, she seems to carry an innate vibrancy. My heartbeat picks up a notch, aware of her proximity and completely against my better judgment.

She walks over, clutching her tablet to her chest with determination. “Mr. Blackstone,” she begins, the seriousness in her voice catching my attention immediately.

“I thought we’d already decided you should call me Noah.” We didn’t but I figure my offer took us beyond the normal boss/employee relationship. I put aside the spreadsheet—an easier decision than I care to admit.

“Oh.” She bites her juicy bottom lip. “Noah, then, there’s a slight hitch in my Christmas plans.”

An involuntary pulse of concern courses through me. “What happened?”

“I can’t find anyone to watch Minnie, my cat, while I’m away.” Her lips form a resigned half-smile as she shakes her head. “Looks like I might be spending Christmas here after all.”

Well, fucking hell. This throws a wrench in the whole impromptu plan I’ve been unintentionally concocting in my subconscious. The gears of my mind start whirring at full capacity, scrambling for a quick yet plausible solution to prevent her from canceling on me.

Without fully thinking it through, I blurt out, “Why not bring Minnie with us?”

The words hang between us like a banner. Scarlett’s eyes widen as she stares at me silently for several moments.

“Really? You wouldn’t mind?” she asks, tilting her head slightly, her expression both wary and intrigued.

The reasonableness of my offer barrels through my mind like a freight train. I don’t do cats. I’m not a cat person. Heck, I’m not even a pet person. The sleek, aloof creatures have always made me uneasy for reasons I can only chalk up to a personal quirk or the fact my grandmother’s cat lived to torture me. But I wave off these nagging doubts, driven by a genuine desire to see Scarlett happy, to ensure she gets the chance to go home for Christmas.

“No,” I say, offering a smile I hope is reassuring. “Minnie’s welcome to join the trip.”

She beams at me so brightly it feels like a mini sun has erupted right here in the office, and her happiness makes the sudden spotlight on my discomfort with the feline species worth it.

“You’re sure?” Her voice is tentative but hopeful.

Fuck yes. Now that I’ve found the perfect way to spend some time with her away from work, I’m not going to let it slip through my fingers. Even if it’s only a three-hour flight. “Positive. Besides, what’s a Christmas trip without a little added adventure?” I quip, wondering what alien has suddenly taken over my thinking.

Scarlett laughs, a light, musical sound that fills my office with something incredibly rare—actual joy. “You might regret those words when Minnie makes your private jet her own private domain.”

“I’ll take my chances,” I reply, a grin stretching across my face as the absurdity of the situation settles around us.

She returns her focus to me, a soft understanding dancing across her eyes. “I can’t thank you enough. Really, this means a lot.”

“Of course,” I assure her, raising a hand to rub the back of my neck. It’s a nervous habit I’m not proud of, but oh well. “You deserve a happy Christmas.”

After Scarlett leaves my office, I can’t get rid of the unrelenting grin plastered on my face. I know I haven’t just opened my jet to a cat; I've opened a door to something more with Scarlett.

For the rest of the day, thoughts of her linger in my mind, accompanying me through meetings and engagements. It’s like I keep catching glimpses of her fiery hair and mischievous smile out of the corner of my eye, even though she's not in sight.

So, as I pack up for the day, I let my thoughts drift to the conversation we’ll have about arrangements, destinations, and Minnie’s preferences on accommodations.

Because, truth be told, I’d go to much bigger lengths than accommodating a cat just to see the joy in Scarlett’s eyes.

Chapter 3

Scarlett

Waiting on my doorstep, I juggle a roller bag, my handbag, and a rather disgruntled Minnie in her travel kennel. Minnie is not amused by today’s turn of events. She’s glaring at me with those big, judgmental kitty eyes that say, “Really, human? When did I agree to a trip?”