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"Hate to disappoint you, but yeah." My mild mortification has turned to curiosity now, energy zinging through my veins, infusing my mood with something resembling euphoria.
"Damn. I was hoping you'd have some strong arguments, something to deter me from flirting the pants off you."
Oh, what I'd give to see his face right now. Not even Christopher can say this with a straight face. But as I formulate my answer, some of the euphoria fades, reality setting in.
"I do, they just don't include a boyfriend."
"I'm all ears."
"For one, I don't get involved with clients."
"That's excellent."
In my mind, I can picture him checking off a list with a red pen.
"And I'm really focusing on the kids. We're just learning to navigate through life on our own. My siblings are my priority right now. I'm the only adult they can look up to as a role model, and… I feel like we've been drowning ever since the funeral. We went through so many changes, and now we're finally reaching a balance." My voice catches and I take a deep breath, steadying myself. Damn it, I didn't mean to dump all this on him.
"A very legitimate reason." His tone is softer now, and I detect something more than heat or amusement in his tone. Possibly worry.
"Enough to keep you from… what was the phrase?" I know exactly what the phrase was, but I want to hear him say it again.
"Flirting the pants off you."
"Yeah, that. You know, I just thought we might make it through an entire conversation without any inappropriateness."
"Are you implying I have no self-control? ’Cause you'd be absolutely right.” He is weird but in the best kind of way.
"Christopher," I admonish, even though my voice doesn't hold much severity. In fact, I'm dangerously close to bursting into laughter. "Here's a challenge for Friday. Keep your words in professional territory. Do we have a deal?"
"Okay, promise," he answers quickly. A little too quickly. I'm tempted to question his statement, but the saying “don't look a gift horse in the mouth” crosses my mind.
"See you on Friday, then. Have a good evening."
"You too, Victoria."
After I click off, I head to my bedroom, planning to finish reading the book I started yesterday before calling this a night. Sliding under the covers, I pick up the book from the nightstand, noticing an unread message from Christopher on my phone.
Christopher: How about my eyes? Can they remain unprofessional? ’Cause keeping both in check is too much.
Victoria: And we already established you don't have much self-control.
Christopher: Around you, apparently not. I promise I'll be as obvious as possible so you can call me out on it.
This man! He is unbelievable. The problem is, when it comes to him, I'm not doing too well with this self-control thing myself. I'm tempted to text back some challenge, but like the good girl I am, I place the phone back on my nightstand instead, turning away from it and trying to concentrate on my book and my to-dos for tomorrow. I have to buy some school supplies for Sienna and Lucas, and Chloe wants a new toy. She didn't tell me what kind of toy, only that she wants something she can cuddle at night. She already found a name for the unknown toy: Mr. Cuddles.
Alone in my double bed, I hug my pillow tightly, wishing I had something, or someone, to cuddle. Better still, I'd love to have strong arms to envelop me at night, someone to whisper naughty things in my ear and reassure me that everything will be fine. A vision appears in my mind: dark eyes, strong shoulders, a sinful mouth. I smile against my pillow at the same time I chastise myself. Off-limits. He's completely off-limits.
Maybe I'll buy a Mr. Cuddles for myself too. I could nickname him Christopher.
Chapter Six
Victoria
"We should pop open a champagne bottle," Isabelle says on Friday during our lunch meeting. We're sitting at a cafe downtown, going through our financial plans for the month. Two more clients signed with us this week, which is always a reason to celebrate, but even more so because they came from recommendations. That means a lot to us. It shows our clients are happy enough with our services to recommend us to their friends. Dad always said recommendations are the bread and butter of a business.
"We'll put that on our endless to-do list, but for now, how about toasting with our hot drinks?"
We clink our glasses spiritedly, before returning to our lunch.
