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“This is important,” I tell her without taking my eyes off the screen on the phone.
If only I can figure out what this design is missing.
“This product is the first of a new line that could bring in a lot of profit. It could make a big difference for the company, open up new business avenues.”
Aster raises her hands. “Okay. I didn’t say it wasn’t important. I just meant…”
“Mr. Burke!” One of the software specialists from Engineering peers down from a balcony. “I’m afraid we have a problem. There’s a software malfunction and… well, we need you to take a look at it.”
I frown. From the look on his face, it seems bad. I glance at my screen. But the design for the brochure has to be approved today.
“I’ll look at it,” Aster offers. “I’m a graphic artist, in case you forgot. I can review the design, make suggestions, maybe even come up with something better.”
I narrow my eyes at her. “You can do that now?”
She shrugs. “I just need to get to a computer. You do what you have to do.”
I study her expression. She look confident, eager. Besides, I’ve seen her work. I can’t believe I didn’t think about asking for her opinion. Then again, I guess I’m not used to asking for anyone else’s opinions.
Aster’s right. I can’t do everything by myself.
I turn to my assistant, who’s standing behind me.
“Bring my wife to my office. She can use my laptop. Give her access to my business mail and anything else she needs.”
“Yes, sir.”
I look at Aster. “I’ll see you later.”
She nods. Afterwards, I run upstairs. Hopefully, I can solve whatever the problem is.
~
I manage to get everything under control – thank goodness – and so an hour later, I head back to my office.
Aster is sitting behind my desk. I can’t help but think she looks like she belongs there. She’s staring at the screen of my laptop with a serious expression. Serious, but not stressed. As I approach, she looks up and smiles.
“Hey. So how are things?”
“Everything’s under control.” I go around my desk. “So how’s the design?”
“It’s done.” She gets out of the chair and pushes it backwards to give me some room to look at my laptop. “I just made some minor tweaks. It took me just about twenty minutes.”
I don’t answer as I look at her design. Sure enough, I see the tweaks she made. I can’t say they’re minor, though. In fact, they seem to be just what I was looking for, what the design needed. The brochure looks better now.
No. It looks perfect.
“Well?” Aster asks expectantly.
I place a hand on her cheek and smile.
“I could give you a kiss right now.”
And I want to. That’s how proud I am of what she’s done. Aster took the initiative to do something she knew was important to me, and she pulled it off in exceptional fashion. That’s how amazing she is.
“You really are special. You know that?” I stroke her cheek. “I’m lucky I married you.”
Aster doesn’t answer. Her cheek grows warm beneath my palm as she gazes back at me. I try to read the look in her eyes but I can’t tell what she’s thinking.
Why isn’t she saying anything? Is it alright for me to kiss her?
She looks like she wants me to. At least, she doesn’t look like she doesn’t want me to. So I lean forward until I’m close enough to smell her perfume, something floral – jasmine? – and entirely feminine. I feel her breath against my skin and something stirs inside me.
Heat. Hunger.
I’m about to press my lips against hers when I hear a knock on the door. With a groan, I pull myself back.
“Yes?” I glance at the door.
It opens and my assistant comes in. “Mr. Burke, a few people from the Board just called. They’d like a meeting at Boot Camp.”
I nod. “I’m almost done here.”
After she leaves, I turn to Aster, who still looks stunned by what I was trying to do. I’d still try to kiss her but the moment already feels over.
I let out a sigh. “I guess I have to get back to work. But thank you.”
I grab her hand and give it a quick squeeze.
“Thank you for what you did. It’s brilliant.”
“You’re welcome,” she finally finds her voice, though it comes out softly as she tucks a coil of hair behind her ear.
She’s not disappointed that I didn’t kiss her, is she?
“You know, if you want anything from me, regardless of the circumstances or the rules or whatever, all you have to do is ask, right?” I tell her.
Aster nods.
I close my laptop. “Want to ride with me in the chopper?”
“No, thanks,” she gives me the answer I expect. “I’ll take the car. And maybe I’ll see some of the city first.”
