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Are they what I’ve been longing to hear all this time?
I meet his gaze as I place my hand over his. “Thank you.”
Jackson’s lips curve into a soft smile. “You’re welcome. And if there’s anything you need, if you ever need anyone to talk to, you can always come to me.”
More words of comfort – but this time, they seem to have a different effect. My pulse quickens. My breath catches as I gaze into those dark pools that seem to glimmer with warmth. I become acutely aware of his hand on my shoulder, his fingers beneath mine.
I pull my hand away and reach for my mug, wishing there was still some steam left to hide my burning cheeks as I lift it to my lips.
Oh, what am I getting all hot and bothered for? He’s just acting like a big brother, that’s all. He probably misses being one.
I set my mug back down on the desk. “I should get back to work. I need to finish some stuff for Ken.”
“You do that.” Jackson pats my shoulder again. “But don’t work too hard.”
I snort. “I’ve only just started.”
“And don’t mind Ken too much. She may be tough, but she just wants everything to be successful. She wants you to be successful, too.”
I nod. “I know that.”
“I think she’s really glad that you’re her intern. So am I.”
Again with the warmth tingling in my cheeks. I ignore it as I fix my eyes on the computer screen and position my fingers on the keyboard.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity, too.”
“Well, good night. And drive safely later.”
“Good night.” I steal a glance as I lift my mug. “Again, thanks for the coffee.”
“Welcome.”
He walks to the door. I wrap both hands around my mug and press the rim to my lips to keep myself from looking at him. If I do, our eyes might meet again and that smile of his might just send a bolt of electricity down my spine that would speed up my poor heart even more and turn my brain to mush.
Finally, I hear the door close. I put my mug down and let out a breath. Then I rest my hands over the keys once more and start typing.
Back to work, Cathy.
Chapter 4
Jackson
She’s already here.
A smile forms on my lips as I see Cathy’s Toyota parked across from the restaurant just after I get out of my SUV.
I’ve already dropped Maisie off at a local daycare, which she seems to love, which means that today I’ll have more time to work on the new recipe I’m planning to premiere for the restaurant’s opening. I have a feeling I’ll finally get it perfect today, too.
It’s going to be a great day.
I decide to check on Cathy before I head to the kitchen. I open the door to the manager’s office, my smile still on my face as I prepare to greet her. As soon as I step inside, though, I notice her lying on the couch.
Cathy?
My heart hammers as I wonder if something bad has happened to her, but as I stand above the couch, I let out a breath of relief.
She’s just sleeping, turned to her side. Her eyes are closed. The tendrils of her hair are washed over her cheek. Her grey cardigan is draped over her like a blanket. It only covers the upper part of her body, though, and I can clearly see her legs, clad in black nylon, stretching out past the hem of her sangria-colored dress.
My eyebrows arch. Wait. Isn’t that the dress she was wearing yesterday?
I remember because it reminded me of a beet ice cream I once made. I even remember thinking that maybe I should have served it with a few olives because the black and deep red looked so striking and appetizing together. At least, the combination looked good on Cathy.
I look down at her shoes. Sandals. Was she wearing sandals yesterday?
I walk over to her desk. The computer is still on. The mug that she drank coffee from last night is still there, now empty except for a thin layer at the bottom.
I glance at Cathy. Can it be that she didn’t go home last night?
Come to think of it, her car is still parked in the same spot.
Just then, the door opens.
“Early today, I see,” Ken says as she enters the room with a skip in her step.
She stops, though, when she sees me, and then her eyebrows furrow as she glances at the couch.
“Don’t tell me she came here early and went back to sleep.”
“No,” I answer. “I don’t think she went home at all.”
Ken’s jaw drops. “What the hell?”
Cathy stirs. She brushes the hair out of her face and rubs her eyes as she lies on her back. Then she opens them, and as soon as she sees me, her body jerks into a sitting position. Her cardigan falls to the floor.
