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“Don’t you already know how to use PowerPoint? You must’ve done this a thousand times before.” She leaned as far to the side as she could go, but she couldn’t escape his presence.
He shrugged, but didn’t answer. He was so close, she could sense the intensity of his stare, but she kept her eyes closed, praying for self-control. She couldn’t let him know how he affected her. It had been easier to ignore the attraction when she thought he was snobby and obnoxious. But now that she knew him better, she found herself wishing for something she knew would never be possible.
Desperate for a reprieve, she stiffened. “I need to go to the ladies’ room.” She slid away from him and disappeared from his office.
In the restroom, she took a moment to calm herself. She had to go back and work with Gherring, but she needed to be in control, in more ways than one. She walked back into his office, and picked up her laptop.
“Okay, let’s get back to work. We’ve got a lot to do,” she said in her best mom voice. Gherring obeyed, spouting out so many details, she wondered how he could possibly remember that much. When he started to come closer to her, she stopped him.
“Don’t crowd me. I’m on a roll.” Gherring kept his distance, though he seemed a bit agitated. Anne was thrilled at the progress, although she knew how much work lay ahead in creating the actual presentation.
She was engrossed in her editing, when Gherring’s voice pierced her consciousness. “Ms. Best… Anne… it’s after five. I think we should call it a day.”
Anne stretched her arms over her head, realizing how tired and stiff she felt. “Ughh—I’m not used to staying still for this long. But we got a lot done, and tomorrow I’ll be able to put all this into the presentation.” She closed her laptop and stood up to leave.
“Anne, you know I’ve been thinking—”
“Yes, Mr. Gherring?”
He frowned at her. “You know, you could call me Steven.”
She felt the heat rising to her face again and quickly turned her face away from him. “Katie still calls you Mr. Gherring and she’s been here for five years.” Anne knew she needed to keep her perspective with her boss. Calling him by his first name would only make it harder to control her growing attraction.
“Katie’s younger than I am.”
“And I’m younger than you as well.”
“Not that much younger.”
“Still, it wouldn’t be proper.”
“Even Katie calls me Steven when we’re not at work.”
“But we are at work.”
He crossed his arms. “I could order you to call me Steven.”
“Let me know how that works out for you.”
Gherring followed her out to her desk. “Would you like a lift home? It wouldn’t be any problem.”
“No thanks, Mr. Gherring.” She escaped into the elevator. She saw him watching her as the doors closed, and she let out a breath she must have been holding. Her shoulders were sore and tight. She couldn’t handle many more days like this one.
Anne tumbled into her apartment and collapsed on the couch. Her cell rang with the familiar sound of Charlie’s theme song. “Hey sweetie.”
“Hey Mom. Are you getting excited?”
“Of course I am—I can’t wait to see you. Y’all need to pack some workout clothes too.”
“Why? Don’t tell me you’re gonna make us run on treadmills.”
“I’ve arranged a climbing date for you.”
“Climbing date? What are you talking about?”
“Katie’s fiancé owns a gym, and I’ve arranged for us to go climb while you’re here. With a couple of good-looking guys.”
“Awesome. Should I bring my own gear?”
