y at th

ina'

as a fast trip to the grocery store. Fortunately, the new firm's accommodations were not only c

I politely declined. Cooking and baking were therapeutic for me, allowing me to briefly escape the difficulties

, had raised the bar with her culinary abilities, easily rivaling the master chef of a five-star restaura

see him again while patiently waiting for the traffic to clear. Nio, my guardian angel-could I even call him that?

y escape my gaze. I couldn't figure out why I had reacted in this manner. I was relie

" I thought, caught off guard by

contributed to his attractiveness, improving his entire grace. And that car-a sleek black Ast

riveted. The only thing that brought me back to reality were the screaming horns of impatient automobiles behi

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

for work, taking extra

I assist you?" The reception

se tell me where Mr. David's

th him?" she asked, her name b

cting me,"

please?" Che

ick call, nodding in response

helsea said, leading me down a l

hen a faint "come in" was heard, she

in a swivel chair. When Mr. David sensed m

ned someone of Mr. Finn's age, but before me sat a

g me out, Mis

hadn't been checking him out. I was merely mak

ng. Please, take a seat,

odded. "I've heard a lot

sitive," I said, attempt

tinued. "Though I didn't care for him much, I must admit he has a knack for hiring talented pe

s words. "Thank

think I'm hitting on you; I'm alw

stand,"

you away from me, I might st

" I ex

t some people find irresist

inn, and I appreciated his straightforwardness. "Don't worr

dsome?" Ma

" I re

arm is known to be qui

breaker, and this was turning out to be a great fi

cause my boldness had rubbed people the wrong way

me, Marky?" A cute young girl, around 19 or

walked over to her. "No one, love.

about her man?" The youn

u been standing t

that lovely lady's lover," the girl pouted, and Mark k

ir attention. They broke apart

one? Can I le

said, taking the girl's hand in his own. "This

u sound like her father," Chris said with a friendly tone,

much about you. I hope we can get

o his lap and began b

p and their arms wrapped around each other. It reminded me of a fantasy I once had wi

_ _ _ _ _ _

ith one of his arms encircling my waist while the other diligently worked on his laptop. His gentle finge

in the middle of my office in broad daylight. I was completely flustered by my ow

hose illicit thoughts that had once been my r

me, breaking the spell. "Get a g

nt. "Um... ahem, what were you saying, Mark? So

in thoughts of your Prince Charming, huh? It's

not like we don't have our moments. Want me to prove the effect I

saying, "Mark, you mentioned a

epreneurs in Manhattan. I need someone reliable and confident to represent us. I couldn't think of

ase send me the details, but you do realize that such an ex

ill take place at a resort, and we'll need to leave tomorrow to prepare. It's a f

y things ready and be

arrangements, and Chris will be joining us.

w," I said, picking up a folder from

"Lock the door

e still all over each other. I left the room with a s

_ _ _ _ _ _ _