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“It’s your first day,” he says, leaning against the refrigerator, catching his breath. He looks like he ran up here from the street. “Put them on.”
I hesitate, but kick off my heels and slide the Chanel pair on my feet. They fit perfectly—a bit stiff, since they’re new, but still. Perfect. “They work,” I say, laughing. “How do I look?”
“Incredible,” he says softly. “God, Fiona. You always look incredible.”
I blush slightly. “Easy there. Talk like that is what started our last fight.”
“I know,” he says, still staring at me. “Listen, Fiona—” He hesitates, mouth hanging open.
I speak before he can. “It’s okay,” I say, holding up my hands. “I get it. This is just a friendly gift from one fake spouse to another. I have no expectations. But listen, this is the nicest thing anyone’s done for me. I’ve got to admit, I was really, really nervous, but these help.”
His face relaxes. “You have no reason to worry. You’re going to do great.”
“Probably, I’m awesome. But still.” I look away. “I’ve never had a job that I really care about before.”
“You were my legal assistant.”
“No offense,” I say, grinning at him. “But this one’s a lot better.”
“I saw something special in you when I hired you. They people at Appalachian Peaks see the same thing. You’ll be fine.”
“Thanks, Gareth.” I smile at him, calming a bit, wrapping myself in his compliments like armor. “Well, shit, I need to run. You just barely caught me in time.” I grab my bag and sling it over my shoulder. “See you later?”
“See you now,” he says, grabbing his car keys from the table. “I’ll drive you.”
“Gareth—”
“It’s your first day and it’s the least I can do. Come on, let’s get moving before you’re late.”
I want to argue, but he’s already sweeping out the door, beckoning me after him. And hell, it would be a lot easier than walking or catching a cab.
I glance down at my feet, at the shoes with their black toes.
He didn’t need to do this. There I was, feeling sorry for myself, then he sweeps into the room and makes me feel special.
What is with this man? Why does he drive me crazy?
But I steel myself, refuse to read too deeply into all this, and let him drive me to work.
Chapter47
Fiona
I’m exhausted when I get back to the apartment.
I was right, the first day wasn’t too hard. A girl named Easter (“Mom was a hippie, Dad was a Catholic, they compromised.”) showed me around, introduced me to the team, and started with my training once I filled out a ton of paperwork for HR. She’s small and extremely sweet, but talked really fast, and I found myself struggling to keep up as she threw a ton of information at me all at once.
Now I’m feeling like I ran a marathon. I toss my bag down near the door, kick my beautiful shoes off near the entryway, ignore the fact that they gave me blisters, and hurry into the main room.
It smells incredible. “What is that?” I ask as Gareth welcomes me from the kitchen.
“Dinner,” he says, holding up a bottle. “And champagne.” He pops off the cork.
I laugh as he pours two glasses. “What’s all this for?”
“A celebration. To your first day.”
“Oh, yeah? You cooked and cracked open a bottle of bubbly for me?”
