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He worked late that Monday after the glorious weekend they had. Like a jackass, he didn’t even call her. She scared him. Messing with his emotions like she had, making him feel things that were foreign to him. He didn’t know what to say to her, so not calling her at the time seemed like the best option.
He had been swamped with work. The energy to find a secretary never even touched his bones. He immersed himself back into his work like nothing had changed.
But his beautiful Gabriella wasn’t one to let him get away with acting like that. And who was he kidding? When did she ever let him get away with something? Never. She always told him straight—another beautiful trait he liked about her.
She had stormed into his office the next day, wondering what they were doing that night. At first, only shock registered. Then complete numbness took over. Her beauty still had a way of distracting him with ease. He took one look at her and knew how idiotic he’d been by not calling her the day before. After the weekend they shared, he knew better than that. Something she told him, too. He had nodded in agreement, locked his office door, and proceeded to love her on his desk like he imagined since the day he hired her as his secretary. She hadn’t argued once with him.
From then on, he had established a routine that fit them both. He worked a few nights while leaving at the normal time of five o’clock the other nights to spend with her. “A compromise,” was what she had called it.
Except, as time went on, he found himself wanting to leave early and not work any late nights. He wanted to spend all his time with her.
What utter, complete foolishness.
He couldn’t become an idiot over one woman.
But every time her face penetrated his thoughts, he knew why he was acting completely out of character. She was worth it.
Still, the rate at which their relationship was moving scared him at times. Keeping their compromise would be the best decision, no matter how hard it was to stay at work.
Dane glanced up at his office door with an annoyed glare when his brother stepped through. “I hate it when you don’t knock or announce yourself. Why can’t you ever do that?”
Champ shrugged. “Because you hate it so much.”
Dane wanted to wipe off the ceremonious grin plastered on his face. “What do you want?”
“Do you have the specs for the Miller building? I’ve been waiting on them for a while now.”
Dane tried not to roll his eyes as he pointed at the folder sitting on the corner of his desk. “There they are. I’m sorry I don’t run to you like a little lap dog. I do have other things I need to get done. If you want it so bad, get it yourself.”
Champ sighed and ran a hand over his jaw. “Are we ever going to have a peaceful conversation? A little respect.”
Dane stood up, bracing his hands on his desk. “Geez, Champ, where’s the respect when you walk into my office? You don’t even respect my wishes about knocking on the door. If you want a little respect, show some yourself.”
A small knock sounded on his door with a little blonde-haired woman peeking through.
“Yes, Ms. Wallace?” Dane gave her a small smile to try and ward off the tension swirling in the room.
It didn’t work to dispel the tension, but he could see it made Ms. Wallace feel marginally better.
“Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Holloway. It’s four-thirty. I need to leave. I wanted to let you know I was heading out the door.” She didn't even glance at his brother Champ. Ms. Wallace was a very smart woman.
“Of course. Have a wonderful evening. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Since Gabriella, he had worked very hard at being more respectful to his coworkers, and not being as harsh. He had his days where he failed, but usually not with Ms. Wallace. Besides Gabriella, she was the best damn secretary he’d ever had.
She nodded her head, then snapped her fingers. “I almost forgot. You were on the phone earlier, but Gabby called. She’d like you to call her back when you get a chance.”
Dane had the intense urge to look at his cell, wondering why she hadn’t called him on that but instead smiled with appreciation. “Thanks.”
Of course, his brother zeroed in on that information as soon as his secretary walked away.
“Who’s Gabby? That name sounds familiar. And since when do you let your secretary leave early?”
Dane refused to look at Champ as he pushed the button on his cell, lighting it up. A missed text from Gabriella. How had he missed that? Especially considering he’d been daydreaming about her, like usual.
“Ms. Wallace is a wonderful secretary. It’s not going to kill me to let her leave early once in a while. Her son has a baseball game at five. She doesn’t want to miss it.”
Champ’s mouth dropped open. “You’re letting her leave for a dumb baseball game? What the hell happened to my brother?”
