Page 26

“Congratulations. I think you probably would have made the changes even without my input, so I can’t take credit for the sale. Your talent is all you.”

“Thank you,” she responded softly.

“How are you? Any more trouble?”

She shook her head. “No. None. It’s been a pretty good week for me once I got over what happened with that driver. How about you?”

“It’s been long. I’m glad that no one has bothered you again.”

An awkward silence fell between them, and Brick knew he needed to leave her before he gave into the temptation to kiss her. He wanted to taste her lips more than he wanted his next meal, but she was spoken for. Even joking around with his friends, he’d never entertain the idea of coming between Hope and her boyfriend. He wasn’tthatguy.

“You should go back inside. I’m sure your date is wondering what’s keeping you.”

She rolled her eyes, and Brick bit back a chuckle. “Parker had to take a phone call. If he’s not at work, he’s on the phone. I thought I could convince him to put work on the backburner for one night, but I should have known better.”

“What does he do?” Even if he had to listen to her share about her boyfriend, he liked that she trusted him enough to talk to him.

“He’s in real estate. He has one client who showed up unannounced expecting to be shown prime real estate. Then there’s this overseas client looking for office space in the States. The woman has no concept of time zones or personal lives. She’s shot down every space Parker has shown her, but he’s not giving up.”

“Must be hard for you having to share him with his job.”

She shrugged. “We both devote a lot of time to our careers. I think that’s why this works for us. What about you?” Her eyes widened comically as her hand flew up to cover her mouth. “Oh, my God! I can’t believe I just asked you about your love life. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to pry. It’s certainly none of my business. I, uh…Oh, God.”

Brick chuckled. “It’s okay. You can ask me anything.”

“Well, you don’t have to answer that. It will not offend me if you don’t.”

“I devote a lot of time to my job too. It doesn’t leave a lot of time for much else.”

She dropped her hand, her gaze more intense as she studied him. He stayed quiet and still, content to stand in a dark parking lot for the rest of his life if it meant looking into her gorgeous eyes with the irises swirling with shades of brown, green and gold.

“Well, it won’t stay that way,” she finally said, her soft tone washing over him. “You’re too nice a guy to stay single forever.”

Then she lowered her gaze and took a step back. “I guess I should get back inside, and let you get back to your evening. Have a great weekend, Brick.”

“You, too. I’ll, uh, I’ll just wait here until you’re safely back inside.”

“I’m guessing it wouldn’t make a difference if I told you that wasn’t necessary.”

He grinned as he shook his head. “Nope. No difference at all.”

She chuckled as she took a few steps. “Of course not. Thank you, then. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye, Hope.”

She turned to walk the short distance to the door. Swinging it open and releasing the cacophony coming from inside, she turned to give him a small wave. Then she stepped inside, and he turned to close the distance to his SUV, never feeling more alone than he did right then.

Chapter Eleven

Hope took a deep breath before knocking on the door. When the familiar voice beckoned her inside the office, she only popped her head in, not sure what she’d find. Two sets of eyes turned to stare at her, and she almost backed out with a quiet apology for interrupting. As he saw her, Parker smiled.

“Hope, what a pleasant surprise! Come in.”

She stepped inside, strategically hiding the bags she carried behind her back. She returned his smile as he walked around his desk to meet her in the center of his office, and she raised her lips to accept his kiss.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt. I know you’re busy, so I won’t stay long. I just missed you, so while I was picking up lunch for myself, I thought I’d drop something off for you.” She held one of the white deli bags in front of her. “I got your favorite. A Reuben with pasta salad and oatmeal raisin cookie for a sugar rush to get you through the afternoon.”

His smile sparkled in his eyes. He wrapped his arms around her tightly, and she returned his embrace, feeling her worries dissipate and almost forgetting they weren’t alone.