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“Not right now. I have to get down to the team and sign off on a few things.”
“You shouldn’t have worn those heels,” he growls into my neck. “You know what they do to me.”
“Andyouknow what our contract with HR says,” I gasp out, knowing I need to cool things down, but not wanting him to stop touching me. “Giselle will kill us if anyone sees—”
“I’m the owner of Dupont Analytics, Mel. I can do whatever I want.”
He says it so casually, but I know that pride is buried in his statement. Roy officially handing Dupont over to Jenson was a big deal. Not just for the employees, but for Jenson. He finally achieved his dream—to run this place himself and take it even further, expanding to other hospitals, focusing on the needs of the employees.
Roy still consults here and there, but for the most part, Jenson is right. He’s the boss.
The thought sends a quiver of desire through me and Ialmostgive in. After all, a quickie in the conference room wouldn’t be a big deal.
But my eyes catch on the clock and I pull away, sighing apologetically.
“I really need to go. I’m sorry. I’ll come up later—send Brett to lunch.”
Giving him a teasing wink, I dip out of the room and jog toward the elevators, needing to get to the lobby.
When I finally get downstairs, Adrian and the rest of the team are waiting in the lobby. I’m still adjusting to her decision to buzz her head, but Adrian looks great, and she’s stepped up as the lead for this new client’s social media campaign.
“Hey,” I greet everyone breathlessly, settling into a chair. “Ready?”
Adrian turns a tablet toward me and the five of us go over the details, contentment settling in my stomach as I realize we have this more than squared away.
The casual meeting dissolves into chatter as we all take a moment to enjoy the drinks and food we ordered. I gaze around the lobby, thinking back to just two and a half months ago. What it felt like walking in on day one.
How shocked I was to literally run into Jenson Sharpe, the love of my life.
You haven’t said it to each other yet.
I bite my lip in thought, wondering why not. It’s not like we’ve never said the “L” word before. Back when we were teens, it slipped out of our mouths easily, every chance we got.
But now…
Am I saving it for a special time? Is he? Everyone around us—or me, at least—rolls their eyes and isn’t at all surprised that we picked up where we left off.
A small crowd has gathered in the lobby around a table and group of volunteers, all wearing gray and red shirts. I watch curiously until it hits me—this is part of Jenson’s new internal improvement initiative.
A week ago, he asked the employees in an anonymous survey what they wanted. He’s also had the strategy team and HR looking into things that other companies with high employee satisfaction offer.
Today, it’s a blood drive. Employees can take a break whenever they’d like, come down to the lobby, and sign up as a blood donor. There’s also a little section where they can sign up as an organ or bone marrow donor, as well.
My heart warms at that. I haven’t asked, but I know he probably got the idea from Jodie.
That problem, unfortunately, isn’t as easy to solve. My aunt is still waiting for a transplant, but Dr. Salazar seems hopeful she’ll make it to that day in decent health.
As I watch the group of curious employees mill around, chat, sign up, and ask questions, I can’t help touching the bare spot on my finger where a ring once sat.
I gave it back, of course. And I have no idea what Jenson did with it.
But I don’t really care; I don’t need it.
Everything worked out for the best. Ring or no ring.
Epilogue
Jenson
