Page 47 of Help Wanted

An hour later they arrived where the boat show was being held. The convention center was within walking distance. He offered to carry her bag, but she simply pulled out the handle so she could roll it behind her. Chivalry was dead, killed by modern conveniences.

“Thank you for this opportunity, Zane. I really appreciate it,” she said when they stopped outside her room.

“I really appreciate you taking the initiative. You’ve earned the opportunity. And I’ll be happy to ditch jobs on you once you’re broken in.” He winked at her, it was the same kind of flirting they’d been doing the last week, but it didn’t get the same response.

Instead she turned to unlock her door.

“I guess I’ll unpack before I meet you downstairs?”

“Sure.” And then she was gone. The door shut in his face.

* * *

Her hotel room was covered in rose wallpaper. Pink and red blooms taunted her. A reminder of the fact that somewhere out there was a woman to whom Zane had given a dozen red roses. Someone he probably loved, and had sex with.

“Damn it!” She’d had such high expectations for this trip, and it wasn’t turning out at all like she’d planned.

Sure she was enjoying her job. She liked how Zane seemed fine to let her handle things on her own. He didn’t jump in unless she asked him a question. She valued his opinion, and he was eager to listen to hers.

Now they would be going for drinks and dinner together.

She would rather stay in the overly floral room alone than go to an awkward dinner with the man she was falling for, but he would no doubt be concerned. She couldn’t avoid him.

He hopped up quickly when she stepped off the elevator in the lobby. She hadn’t changed because to do so would have implied this was a date, which it wasn’t. But she had taken her hair out of the ponytail and put on a fresh coat of lipstick.

That was the extent of her efforts for a business dinner.

“You ready?” he asked with a strained smile. He was no doubt wondering why she was so cold to him.

She smiled a genuine smile, deciding to let it go. He hadn’t done anything wrong. Okay, so maybe kissing her when he had a girlfriend wasn’t the right thing, but it was really nothing.

“Yes.”

She made an effort to chat, but it was difficult to hear with all the people crowded into the bar area. He introduced her to a few people. He conducted business easily, and she doubted what he’d said earlier about not being a good negotiator. He seemed to be doing a fine job of telling these men what he was looking for and what he was willing to pay for it.

Kenley paid attention, trying to pick up things she could use. By the time they were moving to the dining hall, Zane had bought a boat sight unseen and had plans to look at four more. She was impressed with his skill.

She was also finished with her first drink.

“Can I get a rum and coke?” she requested when the waitress came around. Then she worried two drinks might make her seem irresponsible. Did she care what he thought of her? No, she didn’t. Kenley raised her brow at him in defiance. He couldn’t tell her what to do. Damn. Yes, he could. That was what bosses did.

“I’ll have a lager.” He raised his brow at her, mimicking her rebellious expression. “We’re grown-ups, Kenley. We can have a few drinks after work if we want.”

She let go of the tension. He’d said after work, which meant they were no longer on the clock. While under normal circumstances having dinner with a man after work would be considered a date, she didn’t allow herself to think of it that way.

He had a girlfriend. He was her boss. He was off limits.

They talked a little more about the boat they’d seen that day while they ate.

“So I was wondering,” he said after they’d placed their orders. “Would you mind going out to Ohio and setting up the new office? Taking care of the files and things? Then maybe hire someone for there?”

Her eyes went wide with excitement. “Really?”

“It’s not a big deal. You’re running the office in Connecticut like a well-oiled machine. I’d feel better if you set it up so it would be easier for someone to take over. Plus I’m told my file system sucks.”

“Sure. No problem.”

“You can go whenever works best for you. I’m hoping to have it open for summer.”

“Okay. I’ll work it into my schedule.” She almost hugged him, but played it cool.

Zane’s crab legs were quite messy, so he excused himself the bathroom when they were finished eating.

She felt alone as she watched him walk away. It was stupid. On a normal Friday night she would have been alone, or maybe hanging out with Vanessa and her brother, but she wouldn’t be with Zane.

Although, she’d never wanted anyone more than she wanted Zane.

She was in dangerous territory. She didn’t know a lot about sexual relationships, but she knew that wanting someone she couldn’t have wasn’t a good idea.