Page 21 of Heart Like Yours
Something in my chest eases when a smile finally spreads across his face as he removes his hand.
I grin back at him and wink. “You’re the one choosing to be involved with me.”
My cheeks heat at the double meaning in my words, but before I can stammer my way through correcting myself,Garrett’s grin widens and my heart damn near skips a beat at his simple words.
“Worth it.”
GARRETT
Whoever thought it was a good idea to have the boss included in a party that involves an open bar clearly didn’t think things through.
The party planner Paige hired outdid herself with decorating the building’s first floor event space. It’s the perfect mix of all things spooky and haunted but not scary. They even have all the serving dishes matching the aesthetic of the night, with black cauldrons and coffin-shaped trays holding foods while the Halloween-themed drinks are served in plastic chalices.
All around me, every single employee who works in this building is dressed to the nines in Halloween costumes while they drink, dance, and make questionable decisions considering they’re still in the building where they work.
It makes me happy that they actually enjoy the team outings and events Paige puts together. But there’s always a certain point in the night where I can’t help but feel like an unwanted voyeur of their fun. It’s usually right about now that I head out. The only one who normally protests is…
I scan the room, searching for the face I’m always able to pick out in any crowded space.
“Anyone wearing a repeat costume has to do a shot.” Eva pops up in front of me, stopping my search for Paige, and thrusts a black shot glass at me.
“I didn’t?—”
Sam appears next to her, interrupting me by holding his phone up beside the shot. I glance at the picture and almost snatch the device from him. It’s of me and Paige at last year’s party. Her arms are wrapped around my waist as I hold her close and she smiles up at me instead of looking at the camera. I laugh, suddenly remembering how her pointy black hat almost fell off because of the way her head was tilted back. She was hands down the sexiest and most stunning witch I’d ever seen, and that’s saying something since I had a crush on Sarah Sanderson fromHocus Pocusgrowing up.
I need to figure out how to get that picture.
Shaking my head, I quickly glance at the image of myself beside Paige.
“No, last year, I was a farmer. This year, I’m a cowboy. Got the fancy boots and the hat to prove it.”
Eva scowls but doesn’t lower the shot glass. “They’re the same thing.”
“If I’ve learned anything from both growing up out west and working with authors who write cowboy romances… they are most certainly different.”
Sam squints at the picture on the screen, comically analyzing it for a few seconds, and then nods like a bobblehead.
“He’s right. Last year he wore overalls and no hat. This year he’s got bootylicious jeans, a tight shirt and flannel, plus a cowboy hat.” He looks up at me with a sloppy, drunken smirk. “You know what they say about anyone who takes a cowboy’s hat.”
My eyebrows shoot to my hairline and Eva chokes out a laugh as she tugs at his arm.
“Alright, you, I’m ninety-nine percent sure you’re not his type.”
Sam pouts, letting her pull him away, and gets distracted by the now available shot she holds. Eva spares me a quick glance over her shoulder and mouths an apology, but I can only laugh. One of my editors hitting on me is definitely a sign it’s time for me to go.
With one more glance around the party, I turn on my heel and head toward the elevator, greeting the building security as I pass their desk. Once the heavy stainless steel doors seal shut, I roll my neck from side to side, leaning against the back rail, and try to get used to the deafening silence of the elevator compared to the party.
I’ve never been one for big parties or crowds. However, these past two years have been filled with more and more of them, all so I can spend a couple hours with Paige.
As the numbers tick closer to the offices, closer to her, I can’t help but laugh at the masochist I’ve become. There’s no denying that Paige has me wrapped around her finger. Me wearing a costume two years in a row simply so she would have no reason to be disappointed in me proves that.
The doors open, and for a second as I step off, I almost doubt she’s actually up here. All but the emergency lights are off, giving a very fitting vibe for Halloween. If it weren’t for the fact that I spend more time in this building than anyone, I’d probably be turning on every single light I pass. However, this isn’t my first time being here after hours, and instead of setting me on edge, the darkened atmosphere soothes me as I round the corner toward the light illuminating at the end of the hallway that leads to our offices.
Our offices.
The idea that Paige will be so close every day might be the best thing to come from all of this. As of yesterday, she hadyet to fully move into the new space, claiming she didn’t want anyone asking questions before we were ready. But even just the idea of her being right next door, the thought of her adding her own touches to the space beside mine, has excitement bubbling through me.
I feel like a kid counting down the hours until it’s time to go trick or treating. Except instead of candy, my treat is Paige. As a business partner, at least, but still. In just a few days, we’ll announce her new role and we won’t have to keep meeting in secret.