Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 98736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
I bounce downstairs to find the kitchen empty. There is a note on the dry erase board of the fridge from Forrest telling me he went to the shop early to finish a design for a client, and that there’s cash on the counter to stop and pick up pastries for everyone.
I’ve got to admit. Working for the guys has been fun. I’ll be sad to leave them when I go back to college, but I’m excited about this final year. I’m ready to get a full-time job and start my life. Maybe, just maybe, it will be with Roman as more than just a friend.
Today we have three final interview candidates coming in. We’re cutting it close, but with all the guys being at the shop, I figured today was the perfect time. I managed to schedule two hours for lunch instead of their normal half hour. That’s another reason it’s taken me so long. Their schedules are packed. Luckily, we have someone rescheduled, making the extra time for today possible. They’ll be able to eat in peace and then meet as a group with all three candidates. I loved all three of these candidates, and I hope that one of them will work because we are most definitely running out of time.
Grabbing the money from the kitchen island, I shove it into my purse and head out to my car. I have pastries to buy and the workday to get started. Oh, and my hot sexy… Roman. I don’t know what we are or if we are anything, but I get to see him. I don’t want to push my luck by asking him to label whatever this is. All I know is that I want more kisses. Lots and lots of kisses.
It’s just after nine by the time I make it to the shop. The first appointment isn’t until nine thirty, so there is still plenty of time for the guys to scarf down the pastries I picked up, compliments of my brother.
“Breakfast is here!” I call as I make my way to the break room. I didn’t need to, though, because all five of them are sitting around the long table sipping their morning drinks of choice. “Aren’t you a lively bunch.” I grin. I move around the room and stand next to Roman. I place the bags full of goodies on the table and begin to unload.
“I could kiss you,” Lachlan says as he reaches for a muffin.
“No kissing my sister,” Forrest grumbles, reaching for one of the cinnamon rolls.
“This deserves some kind of reward, Forrest,” Maddox chimes in. He opens the box of donuts and pulls out a chocolate-dipped one with sprinkles. He takes a huge bite, shoving half of it into his mouth and moans.
“That’s his orgasm sound,” Legend announces. “Must be good.” He reaches into the same box, and he, too, chooses a chocolate-dipped donut with sprinkles. “I was craving this. I just didn’t know it,” Legend says, making us all laugh.
“Rome? What are you craving this morning?” I ask him. My voice is light and teasing, but I can feel a slight blush coat my cheeks. Luckily I wore my hair down today, so I dip my head and pretend to be arranging food to hide it.
I jump just a little, not enough that I think anyone will notice when I feel his hand on the back of my bare thigh. “Surprise me.” He quickly drops his hand and I shake out of my trance, choosing what I know to be his favorite. A glazed cruller. He likes them glazed or with cinnamon sugar. I got one of each, but I know he prefers the glazed.
“Here you go,” I say, placing it on a napkin and handing it to him.
“Thanks, Em.” His green eyes sparkle and his heated gaze, although brief, tells me he’s thinking about our kisses last night too.
“So, interviews today,” I tell them, grabbing my own glazed donut and taking a seat next to Roman. “We have three candidates. Cleo, Lyra, and Drake. All three of them would fit in well.”
“Tell us about them,” Lachlan says.
“Cleo is currently working at the Waffle House in Nashville. She’s tired of the first, second, and third shift rotations and wants something with a steadier schedule so she can have a life. She’s a few years older than me.”
“The next is Lyra. She’s currently working at a veterinarian’s office, also in Nashville, but it’s not her jam. Her words, not mine. She’s a receptionist, and she’s not exactly an animal lover.” I can’t help but laugh, remembering her confession in her interview.
“Then we have Drake. He’s got a background in working at tattoo shops. He worked for a few years for Inked Expression for Blaise and Asher Richards. He just recently moved to Ashby with his girlfriend, and would like something closer to home if possible. He’s fluent in scheduling, and ink and piercing. Out of the three candidates, he’s the most qualified. However, he’s asking for more money than the position pays, but you get what you pay for.” I shrug.