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“I closed the books at four today so that we could meet after everyone is finished and make a decision. I know it’s impossible to have you all be finished at the same time, but at least we have a cutoff. The last appointments are at four, and they all seem like they’ll be a couple of hours at most. Hopefully, by six thirty or so, you’ll all be finished. I’ll pick up lunch and dinner today to make this as easy as possible for each of you.”
“Take cash out of the register,” all five say at once.
“I know the drill.” I laugh, because what else can I do? These five men all have hearts of gold. They mean well, even when they piss me off.
“Fine, get to work. I’m having lunch delivered from the deli down the street, and then I’ll probably just order pizza for dinner.”
A chorus of “Thank yous” and “You’re the best” greet me as they each grab another pastry and head off to start their day.
“I’ll help you clean up,” Roman says.
“Kiss ass,” Legend mutters, and raucous laughter from the guys filters down the hallway. They think he’s making up for ruffling my feathers, and while helping me cleanup is nice. I’m hoping for another kind of make up.
I start combining what’s left over into one box, to toss the others into the trash. That’s when I feel his arm wrap around my waist, and his lips against my cheek. “Morning, baby girl,” he whispers.
My body melts into his. “Morning, Rome.”
“We don’t have much time, but I need those lips before I can start my day.” With that, he turns me in his arms and kisses me. It’s over before it started and nothing close to what we shared last night, but it’s enough. For now.
“How’s your hip?” He brushes his thumb lightly where my tattoo is beneath my loose-fitting sundress.
“Good. I’m surprised that didn’t come up this morning.” I assumed the guys would all be talking about it.
“I didn’t tell them, and Forrest didn’t mention it. I’m sure he doesn’t want to talk about the fact that I had to get you naked, or mostly naked, to ink you.”
“I’m a big girl.”
He winks. “I know.” He kisses me again before he releases me and steps back. He gives me a wicked grin and points his index finger my way. “You, baby, are addicting. I need to get to work.” He turns on his heel and disappears out of the room.
I stand staring after him with a huge grin on my face. He’s like a different man now that he’s decided not to fight this.
Today is definitely going to be a good day.
“So, how are we doing this?” Maddox asks. “Are we voting on paper? Raising our hands? How’s this going down, fearless leader?” He directs the question to me.
“I did my part of the job. I picked three and got them here. The rest is up to you.”
“I actually liked all three of them,” Lachlan speaks up. “It’s going to be hard to choose.”
“You already know that if I get to pick, I choose Drake.”
“Oh, is that because he’s handsome?” Legend asks, and Roman stiffens in his chair next to me.
Yeah, I managed to snag this spot again this evening for this meeting of the minds. “He’s practically engaged. Did you not hear him gushing about his girlfriend? He’s the most qualified and would take the least amount of training. I go back to school the week after next.”
Roman shifts in his seat, and I can’t help but turn to look at him. He looks surprised. I don’t know why. I told him I was leaving soon. Did he not realize how soon that date was approaching?
“They were all three good,” Legend chimes in.
“Who’s your second pick?” Roman asks me.
“Lyra. She has more of an outgoing, in-your-face kind of attitude. She can handle the clients who try to hit on her.” I glare at Roman and he winks at me in return. “Can I make a suggestion?”
“You know you can,” my brother answers.
“I think you should hire two people. I’ve been working the hours, and when I’m not here, you all do it for yourselves. Rarely do all five of you hold the same hours, and the shop is open six days a week. Your schedules are packed. You could benefit from having someone here all the time.”
All eyes are on me, but no one speaks up, so I keep going.
