Page 41 of Naughty Heart

I didn’t have the slightest clue why, but for some reason, that knowledge made me burst into a fit of laughter. Maybe it wasn’t smart to be doubled over with amusement at my boss’s expense, but I couldn’t help it. The thought of Malcolm having an aversion to nutcrackers was hysterical to me, especially when he was such a confident man.

By some miracle, I managed to pull myself together and return my attention to him. There was a look on his face I couldn’t read, but I wasn’t certain it meant he was reconsidering his decision to hire me.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have laughed like that. I just… it blows my mind that you’re creeped out about a nutcracker. Did you have some scary experience with them when you were younger?”

Whatever thoughts Malcolm had in his head must have vanished, because the fog that had fallen over him seemed to have lifted. Then he answered, “No. I just think they look creepy. That’s all.”

“So, are you afraid of them?” I asked. With the look that formed on his face, it became clear Malcolm thought I was teasing him.

He chuckled and promised, “I’m not afraid of them.”

I narrowed my eyes teasingly. “Are you sure?”

He shot me a dubious expression. “I think I would know if I was afraid of a nutcracker.”

Malcolm wasn’t the only one who could send incredulous looks. With disbelief written all over my face, I shrugged and said, “If you say so.”

His lips twitched as he shook his head. “You’re something else.”

“Well, since you think it looks perfect here, I should probably head back over to my office and get to work,” I said. “I came up with another idea that I want to talk to you about, but I need some time to put a few things together.”

“What is it?” he asked.

I lifted a finger and wiggled it from side to side. “I’m not telling you yet. But I promise I’ll bring it to you as soon as I finish it up.”

Amused, Malcolm shook his head and sighed. “Alright. Go get to work then.”

Without wasting another minute, I dashed out of his office and made my way across the hall to my office to dive into finalizing the details of the idea I had. Since it was early in the morning, I suspected I’d be able to finally get it accomplished today.

The truth was, even though it was already Wednesday, I hadn’t had a lot of time to focus on an extra project this week. Between finalizing everything Malcolm needed for the implementation of the employee appreciation project last week, I hadn’t been able to finish up all the decorating. I’d worked on a majority of that yesterday, because roughly two hours after I’d arrived here on Monday morning, Mina had shown up.

As it turned out, Malcolm had done what he said he was going to do. He touched base with his sister sometime over the weekend, and he’d shared the news with her that I was going to be attending the Westwood’s Christmas party with him.

I hadn’t expected it was going to happen, but he actually handed his credit card over to his sister and all but ordered her to take me out that afternoon to find a gown for the party. Mina was thrilled to do it, and she’d even splurged a bit when she decided to treat the both of us to lunch on Malcolm.

Initially, I felt bad. As it was, I’d already been freaking out about the cost of the gown and shoes she’d insisted on, and Mina didn’t seem the least bit concerned about spending so much of her brother’s money.

Granted, she knew he could afford what she was buying. We both did. But where she seemed to have no problem getting whatever she deemed necessary, I was far more hesitant.

Of course, the gown was gorgeous. It was the most exquisite and luxurious thing I’d ever put on my body. I felt like a princess in it. If nothing else, I hoped Malcolm would feel like it was money well spent when he saw it on me.

And though I’d missed out on being able to accomplish things I had intended to accomplish at work, I couldn’t say I didn’t enjoy myself. Not only did I get to do something I hadn’t done in a very long time—shopping and lunch out—but I’d also gotten the opportunity to get to know Malcolm’s sister better.

“I have to admit I’m a little shocked,” I said while we waited for our food.

“About what?”

Shaking my head, a smile on my face, I answered, “I don’t have any siblings, so maybe I just don’t understand, but it blows my mind that Malcolm just handed his credit card over to you.”

Mina laughed. “Trust me, he can afford this shopping trip today.”

I didn’t doubt that for one second. Unfortunately, believing that and understanding how he was so comfortable allowing his sister to spend his money were two different things. I found it baffling.

“You look horrified,” she declared when I took too long thinking about it all.

I tried my best to rid myself of those thoughts. “I’m sorry. It just surprised me. But I think it’s wonderful the two of you have such a great relationship.”

“Oh, don’t let this fool you. He does plenty to drive me insane,” she assured me. “And let’s be honest. Me doing this is more for his benefit than mine, not that I’m not enjoying your company.”