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“I can never decide, so I’m going Kitchen Sink,” Austin explains. “But you can’t go wrong.”
“Rocky Road S’mores?” I read from the sign. “Okay, I have to know.”
“Done,” Austin declares.
A few minutes later, I’m holding a warm, gooey cookie in paper. Austin orders us both two percent milk, which comes in a carton like we’re in elementary school. It’s delightful.
“Oh my God,” I say, admiring the treat up close. “It’s half the size of my face.”
The first bite is molten chocolate heaven, with soft marshmallow and bites of graham cracker. Pecans add a crunch. Irrationally, I feel like tears of happiness could spring to my eyes. My month started off so catastrophically. But today, it’s beautiful outside, I fixed a significant problem for my boss, and I’m eating an amazing cookie with said kind, hot boss who looks at me like I’m the only person in Manhattan.
“This one has butterscotch chips,” Austin says happily. “So underrated. Here.”
He holds his cookie out to me, and I realize he’s offering me a bite. I lean forwards to nibble off a tiny bite, trying not to blush at the intimate gesture.
He’s being friendly. A friendly boss.
“Amazing,” I agree.
He pauses, looking at me.
“You have…” he gestures at my mouth.
I swipe, cringing. What is it about me and food messes around this guy?
“OK?” I check.
He grins. “Almost.”
He reaches out and brushes the corner of my mouth.
I freeze, our eyes meeting again. And… Is that music I hear?
Nope. Just his phone ringtone.
I lurch back, saved by the bell. Man, I have got to stop getting within three feet of this man.
Austin glances at the phone.
“Everything okay?” I ask, gulping my milk to cool down.
“Sorry, I forgot I had a lunch date,” he says, throwing me a smile. “Looks like I have to eat and run.”
“No problem!” I squeak, reality like a cold shower.
A date. With some gorgeous model no doubt, like the girl who was with him the other night at the bar.
Who might well be the love of his life, for all I know.
Off-limits. Off-limits.
“See you back at the office,” Austin grins, then saunters away.
I watch him leave, and console myself with the rest of my cookie. Austin is a lot of things—conscientious, stats-driven, a worrier beneath the cool charm.
But he is not for me.
