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“I love this place.” Addison’s lips curled into a smile that made her blue eyes sparkle. She was dressed in yellow, her fair hair swept back into a cute ponytail. It was impossible not to notice how gorgeous she was. He’d sort of noticed since the day he hired her. But he could compartmentalize. He’d been great at compartmentalizing before the CEO obsession.
He pulled on the sleek silver handle of the glass door and gestured for her to enter ahead of him, pausing to inhale in appreciation. Was there any better indulgence in life than coffee?
Automatically his eyes tracked to Addi’s legs. Just one.
“I’m buying,” he reminded her when she reached for her wallet. He could’ve sworn her bright blue eyes flicked to his mouth a second before her own beautiful lips formed the words “thank you.” Probably he was projecting.
The worst part about what went down a few months ago was that he’d behaved so out of character he’d hardly recognized himself. He hadn’t asked Taylor to date him because he was attracted to her, but because he’d hoped their partnership would make him a better contender. It was like an alien had taken over his body. Bran was the easygoing, playful Knox brother; robotic pragmatist described Royce.
“We should do this more often,” Bran said.
She watched him carefully, her expression unreadable.
Oh-kay. Going well so far.
“Morning, Addi.” The barista met her at the counter, smiling around a beard and subtly flexing the tattoos on his forearms.
Pathetic.
“Hey, Ken. How are you?” Addi greeted him warmly and Bran felt a twinge of jealousy. Beard and tattoos? Was that what she was into?
Suddenly he felt like a stodgy guy in a suit whose only importance was signing her paychecks. He never used to notice who Addi smiled at—until she stopped smiling at him. God, he missed the simplicity of the good ol’ days. Back when he saw himself in the role of “boss” and her in the role of “assistant” and never the twain shall meet.
Before Taylor pointed out that they’d look good together.
Before Royce suggested the girl for Bran was right under his nose.
Before Bran starred in his own personal remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
He used to live life day by day without worrying about the future. Those were the days.
Ken said something stupid and Addi laughed—surely to be polite. Bran stepped between them and Ken’s smile turned challenging.
“She wants whipped cream on top, and I promised to give her whatever she wants. It’s our one-year anniversary today. Isn’t it, Ad?”
Her cheeks turned pink, but her smile was genuine and focused on Bran for a change.
“It is,” she agreed.
“Congratulations,” Ken said as he tapped the screen to add the upcharge. Bran didn’t think he meant it.
And even though he was setting a course to win back the trust of his trusty executive assistant, he saw no harm in making sure that Ken, here, didn’t tread where he wasn’t welcome. Addi could do better than a hairy barista, anyway, so Bran had no problem reminding this guy of his station.
After all, what were bosses for if not to protect their most treasured coworkers?
