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“You say that like you have no idea,” Delaney prompts, and that little smirk of hers is back. “You really want to talk about proposals and PR and shit? I was thinking you’d tell me how fucking hot he is. I gotta say, when I met him at the hospital, that was the first thing I noticed. Don’t tell me you didn’t too.”
“He’s my boss, Delaney. We talk about proposals and PR and well, work shit. That’s the point of a mentor. I’m learning from him.” I say all this like he hasn’t been on my mind since I walked out of his office.
He’s actually been on my mind for a while now. Basically, ever since he took me on as his mentor and we’ve been spending so much time together. It’s hard not to notice that he’s incredibly gorgeous and even more so when I listen to him talk business, giving off just exactly how smart he is too.
Plus, it feels good to be recognized for something other than the Holden name, something Ethan has done since he started mentoring me. Today was no exception. He valued my opinion and understood that I’ve done my research well enough to know my decisions are not snap judgments.
While all of this is great news for me and my career, it’s almost like I’m trying to convince myself that I don’t find him attractive. Again, I shouldn’t find him attractive. There’s no possible way he looks at me like that and the last thing I want to do is put his business or my job at risk by crossing that line.
“There are definitely a few things you could learn from him,” Delaney says, her tone loaded with insinuation as she stands up and runs her hand over her torso and up to her boobs.
“Oh my god, Delaney! You need to stop! Go home and find Alex and stop worrying about my sex life!” I whisper-shout it all out of fear that Ethan will hear me. I know he’s still here finishing up and taking that late call with some business in Japan. I do not need him to hear this.
“So you have been thinking about him then!” she shouts, pointing a finger at me like she’s caught me in a lie.
“What are you even talking about?” I shout back, trying not to laugh, my cheeks growing red with embarrassment. How the hell does she know I’ve been thinking about my boss in ways that no employee should?
I feel like it’s written all over my face and if she can see it, I certainly hope Ethan couldn’t when I paused in his office. I was taken aback by not only his compliments about how well I had been performing at my job, but also at just how fucking gorgeous he is.
“You just said I need to stop worrying about your sex life,” Delaney squeals, flapping her hands in front of her and I can’t help but laugh at just how ridiculous she looks.
“You are so reading into this,” I tell her, brushing her off as I shut down my laptop and plug in my iPad. Maybe doing something else will distract her from the craziness of this conversation.
“Come on, Zo. Those porn books you read are only going to last so long. You and Ethan would be perfect together.”
“Whoa, hold up. No one said anything about us dating. This is how rumors get started, Delaney Hayes,” I shame, winking at her so she knows I’m joking. I know she would never share anything we talk about. She’s my best friend; we have each other’s back no matter what.
“He’s rich and so are you. He’s super into business and numbers and ski shit and so are you. He doesn’t need to worry that you’re after his money because you’re Zoey Holden. And you don’t have to worry he’s after your money. It’s a win for both of you. Fucking powerhouse ski couple.” She tosses a fist in the air, proud of herself for mapping out my entire future in five minutes.
“You’re crazy, but you already know that,” I tease her, not wanting to admit that what she just said does hold a little weight for me.
It’s a real struggle to find a guy in this town who isn’t just interested in skiing or snowboarding, like he never plans to grow up. Listen, buddy, you’re not going pro, so give it up and get a real job. And then there’s the whole Holden name thing. Most guys are after one thing when they meet me, and it’s not my ass. It’s my money.
I’d prefer they be after my ass. That would make things so much easier. Sex is simple. Money, not so much.
“You wanna grab some dinner and then go for a ski?” I ask, changing the subject, and skiing is a good way to do that when it comes to Delaney.
“Sure, but don’t think you’re getting off that easy,” she says, poking me in the side when I walk by her and toward the exit to my office.
“You seriously need to go home and get laid,” I say, looking over my shoulder and then that’s when Delaney’s eyes go wide.
My eyes fall closed, my face pinched as I slowly turn my head around. I know who’s standing in front of me because fuck my life right now.
When I open my eyes, Ethan is standing in the hallway that houses the Badger Creek offices. Of course he is. I just shouted that my best friend needed to get laid.
I tug my bottom lip into my mouth, biting down on it, as I look at Ethan standing in front of me. I blow out, trying to give myself time to think of something to say, wondering if he even heard me. He heard me. At least Delaney wasn’t still talking about how hot he is. That would have been worse.
“I was just heading home,” I say, tossing a thumb in the direction of where Delaney and I live. “I know you said you have your call with Japan. Did you get yourself anything for dinner? We were going to grab something. I can pick something up for you.” I’m rambling like a complete fool. He doesn’t make me nervous in the least when we’re standing in his office talking business, but caught off guard like this, I’m a fucking mess.
“No thank you, Zoey. I’ll see you tomorrow. Have a great night, ladies.” He’s casual and collected, so fucking cool despite his employee being a loudmouth.
“Good night, Mr. Morrison,” Delaney quips and I swear I could smack her.
“You can call me Ethan,” he replies back. “Right, Zoey?”
All I can do is nod in response.
Chapter3
