Page 53 of Aaron's Patience

I smiled at the card in my hands and then lifted the bouquet of white roses to my nose.

“I think someone’s trying to woo you,” Moira giggled behind me.

I turned, frowning. “It might actually be working too.”

She gave me a confused look.

“Weareclosing early today,” she stated, rushing past the awkward moment.

I nodded, knowing that I’d be out of the library by noon that Friday. Aaron knew, too, which was why he’d had this bouquet delivered, requesting I join him for lunch.

“Do you need me to stay late to help with anything?” I asked.

“No. As soon as that clock strikes noon, I’m out of here. Long weekend.”

I nodded, remembering Moira was going away with her husband for the weekend. “Okay.” Pulling out my phone, I sent a text to Aaron’s personal cell letting him know I’d be joining him for lunch at his office.

By the time I stepped out of the library, Daniel was already there waiting, a smile on his face as he held the door open.

“To Townsend Industries,” he confirmed.

I nodded and ducked inside the car. We made it to Townsend’s headquarters in just over twenty minutes. We pulled into the garage, directly in front of the elevator that went all the way to the top floor. It was Aaron’s private elevator.

“The code is 391989.”

I stilled as the security guard informed me of the elevator’s code. “Are you sure?” I asked dumbly.

He gave me a funny look before straightening his face. “Yes, ma’am. Is there something the matter?”

I shook my head. “No, of course not.” I wasn’t going to tell this security guard that code was my birthdate. I stepped on, punching in the code, and was carried up the thirty flights to Aaron’s floor. I nearly ducked my head as I passed by the administrative employees who were outside in the main office. I hadn’t exactly put my best foot forward the last time I’d shown up at this place, less than a week prior.

“Mr. Townsend is expecting you. You can go right in,” his executive assistant, Mark, stated from behind his large desk.

I didn’t even get the chance to turn the knob before the door was opened from the inside. My breath hitched a little at the imposing sight of Aaron standing there, greeting me with a stern yet welcoming expression on his face. Well, it was welcoming to me. Most people would’ve seen the usual scowl but I saw the way his eyes lit up slightly, and the gentle softening of his mouth.

“Come in. Mark, hold my calls for the next hour and a half.”

My eyes widened as I stepped inside. “An hour and a half?”

“That’s a normal lunch time, right?” He gave me a serious look.

I giggled. “You’re so unfamiliar with taking a lunch you don’t know how long one should be.”

He shrugged, moving closer to me, wrapping an arm around my waist. He leaned down close to my ear. “We can always find something more to do than eat.” His hand moved lower until it covered my ass, squeezing it.

“Aa—” His name was cut off by his lips covering mine. Too soon, he pulled back and took me by the hand, leading us to the conference table that already had our lunch set up.

“Tuna salad for you. Although it’s reeking up my office,” he grunted.

I grinned, sitting down in the chair he’d pulled out for me and grabbing my tuna salad sandwich.

“How was work?” he questioned, as he dug into his own chicken salad.

“Great,” I beamed. “We’re starting a drive for toys for kids in need next week. It’s close to the end of September and the holidays will be here before we know it. I convinced Moira it was better to get the drive started early rather than later.”

He nodded. “You’ve always given back.”

I grinned. “Not always. I went through a selfish phase.”