Page 23 of Falling For My Assistant

“Well,” she started, shifting the shiny clutch she held to her other hand, “The break room is always filled with gossip, including about the wives.”

She looked at the gaggle of ladies, then back at him. “I simply used what I learned to negotiate my way through the conversation.”

Damn, Erin.

He was impressed. He was certain she could handle the executives with ease, but to handle the wives? That was impressive.

“I think I underestimated you, Erin,” he murmured, sidling close to her. He placed his lips next to her cheek. “Handling the wives and the execs together? That’s super impressive.”

Her cheek moved against his into a smile, and he slipped his arm around her waist.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “Being an assistant does have its benefits.”

She laid her hand on his wrist and squeezed, the two of them breaking apart when the waiter appeared again.

“Sir, the bar is through these doors. If you would follow me, I can show you the way.”

Sean took Erin’s hand, and they followed him outside onto the terrace.

“That’s an accordion door. Look, Sean,” Erin said, pointing to the side of the wall.

“It makes the view even better when you don't have to worry about windows,” he replied, sidling up to the bar with her.

There were heat lamps spread out across the terrace to keep the cold at bay while they lingered outside.

“Are you going to have a drink?” he asked, ordering an old fashioned.

“I’ll take a cosmopolitan,” she said, the bartender confirming her order before she looked back at him.

“How verySex and the Cityof you,” he quipped. She rolled her eyes.

“Very funny.”

“Well, it was a very popular drink on the show,” he replied, taking a sip of his old fashioned after the bartender handed it to him. “It was Carrie’s favorite after all.”

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, regret welled up.

“And how exactly do you know that?” Erin asked, taking her cosmopolitan from the bar.

Her eyes widened, the blue orbs as round as saucers. “Did youwatch Sex and the City?”

Heat blossomed from his hairline to his neck, disappearing beneath his collar.

“Of course not, I don't know what you're talking about.”

“You did!” she squealed, taking a sip. A smile split her face in two. “I’m dying! I love that show. I can't believe you watch it.”

“No,” he replied, dragging her toward the large privacy fence that hid the pool from the rest of the terrace. They passed a library and ducked behind a corner, blocking them off from the rest of the party.

“Blair used to watch it in the living room where I was working. That’s all.”

“Methinks thou doth protest too much,” Erin quipped with another sip of her drink.

He glared at her with another sip.

She stared at him, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Fine, I’ve watched it alone since Blair and I broke up. Happy now?”