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“I know, I meant before,” Declan says.
“I didn’t go that often. Just every once in a while when I wasn’t in the mood to socialize or deal with women who wanted a date, make small talk, and all of that before getting into bed. Women in general are exhausting.”
Declan and I both laugh. I raise my glass. “You got that right.”
We clink our glasses together. I look at Lincoln. “You guys happy, though? I’ve only met your wife a couple of times. Quinn, right?”
He nods. “Yes, very happy. She’s so easygoing and doesn’t make me talk when I don’t want to. Lord knows that woman always has something to say, so she’s made friends with my brother’s wife and also my cousin’s wife. They’re always gabbing on the phone about the stupidest shit I’ve ever heard. It honestly baffles me how they don’t get worn out.”
We laugh again.
Declan says, “Women don’t ever get tired of talking, man. Especially if it’s gossip. They live for that shit.”
“Well, you should hear her when she gets on the phone with her family down in Alabama. Jeez, they might as well be speaking another language.”
We all chuckle.
“You’re full of comedy today, Linc. I love it.”
“What about kids?” Declan asks. “Gonna have any?”
He shrugs one shoulder. “We agreed two years together before we try. So next year sometime.”
“Practicing is always fun, though,” I say with a wink.
He furrows his brow, then realization dawns. He gifts us with another rare smile. “Absolutely.”
The cute server returns and sets down our charcuterie and some small plates. “Need anything else, just holler!”
We thank her and I immediately grab for some prosciutto and gouda, piling it on a cracker.
Declan grabs a few olives, asparagus, and salami. “This shit is so damn bougie but I love it.”
“Same. Don’t tell Quinn I eat this,” Lincoln comments, piling his plate as well. “I’ll never hear the end of it.”
We continue talking about sports, our golf game, and women.
It’s been a good distraction since I can think of nothing else except Taryn Andrews showing up on Monday morning and how I’m not going to get any work done from this point forward knowing her tight little ass is in the same building for eight hours a day, five days a week.
Maybe I really should start considering that remote work-from-home thing Jeff tried to pitch to me last month.
***
“Come in,” I call outwhen there’s a knock on my office door.
Briana pops her head in. “Ms. Andrews is here.”
I get up from my seat. I’d tried my damnedest to keep busy all morning to keep my mind off of her first day. She’d arrived promptly at eight, but was busy with HR. Now, it’s time for the CEO to greet her.
I look down, straighten my red tie, and take a quick glance at my reflection in the framed photo of a map of Colorado on my wall, making sure I don’t have a hair out of place.
“You look great, c’mon, boss,” Briana says, biting back a smirk.
“Thanks,” I grumble. “Just want to make sure she knows who’s boss.”
She laughs. “Everyone around here knows who’s boss.”
Taryn waits with Lisa next to her desk in HR. I put on a professional smile but try to hide a real one when I see how breathtaking she looks in a fitted black dress that hugs her curves and some short heels. A little red belt is around her small waist, making her look like an hourglass. I don’t let my gaze linger on her body or pretty face as I shake her hand.
