Page 2 of Resisting the Temptation (Broken Shelves #3)

Emma

I finish inputting the invoice I’m working on and stamp it with the date, then look up from the computer for the first time in over an hour. My vision’s gone fuzzy, and I blink rapidly to clear the haze.

The calendar notification pops up at the same time, reminding me of the meeting Josh wants to have with me. When I asked him about it, he shrugged and told me he needed to talk to me.

Normally, someone saying they want to talk to me without telling me what it’s about would send me into an anxiety spiral, but Josh’s “somethings” usually mean he wants to pick my brain about a new building idea or a way to make the office more functional.

“Ready for our meeting?” Josh pokes his head out of his office.

“Sure. As long as it isn’t too long. I need to print checks before the end of the day. ”

Josh shakes his head and chuckles. “You’ve worked here for four years, Em, you don’t have to try and impress me. You work too hard.”

I roll my eyes. “Oh, hush, Joshua. You know this place couldn’t run without me.”

Daniel, Josh’s brother and business partner, walks past and pats Josh on the shoulder. “She’s right, Joshy. We wouldn’t be where we are without her help. Be nice.”

I’ve worked at Kirkham Creatives for the last four years.

Originally, it was just supposed to be a temporary job to get their office organized efficiently, but somehow I turned into an executive assistant/accounts payable person.

I file, input invoices, write checks, and help them keep their calendar running smoothly.

I can’t complain too much since they’re flexible with my schedule, and the pay is great. Watching them go from a three-person team to one with almost fifteen and still growing has been amazing to be a part of.

Josh punches Daniel in the arm. “I wasn't being mean, dickhead. I’m just teasing her. Want to join us? I’m going to order lunch and tell Emma what we talked about.”

A beat of anxiety pulses in my stomach, so I try to cover it with humor. “I already turned down your offer for a threesome, gentlemen, you won’t be changing my mind.”

Daniel groans, and Josh snickers. It’s a running joke with us that I won’t have a threesome with them.

A year into working for them, we were at lunch, and the waitress asked us if we were a throuple.

I jokingly told her I was giving them the duration of the lunch to convince me to be with them.

When we finished eating, she asked if I was convinced, and I shook my head and turned them down.

Nothing romantic has ever happened with either Kirkham brother, and nothing ever will. Josh and Daniel are relationship types, and I don’t do serious. Besides, they’re more like brothers to me than my real brothers are.

Daniel sighs. “Of course I’ll join you.” He points at both of us. “No more threesome jokes.”

“Fair enough. What are we feeling for lunch? Jun’s?” Josh directs the question at me.

“Ooo. I could go for some japchae right now. Jun’s sounds good. Do you need me to call?”

“Nah, I figured you’d be on board, so I already placed an order. It should be here any minute.” Josh checks his watch, and sure enough, the bell above the door rings, and the delivery person brings in bags of food. The smell makes my stomach grumble. I didn’t realize how hungry I was.

I follow them to Josh’s office, and we set the food on the coffee table between the two couches, unpacking and dishing up pork mandu, japchae, beef bulgogi, tteokbokki, and rice while Josh and Daniel talk about a project they’re working on.

I’m not a huge tteokbokki fan, but it’s Josh’s favorite, so we get it every time.

Looking at the two brothers, I can acknowledge they’re attractive, but I’ve never felt a sexual pull towards either of them, thank goodness.

The last thing I need is to be attracted to a coworker, much less my superior.

Daniel is thirty-five, and Josh is thirty-two.

Both brothers are fit and muscular with suntanned skin.

I don’t know shit about height because I’m five-foot-one on a good day, but they’re probably close to six feet, maybe taller.

They both have dark chestnut brown hair, but Josh’s is slightly curly and always styled whereas Dan’s is usually shaved close to his head.

Josh’s eyes are a darker blue than Daniel’s, but they’re both kind and warm.

“So, how does it feel to finally have graduated college?” Josh asks.

I chuckle. At twenty-seven, I finally earned my bachelor’s degree.

It only took me six years to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, on top of just not being good at school.

My neurodivergent brain has a hard time focusing on things, especially when I’m not interested in the subject.

I jumped from Criminal Justice to English to Communications before finally landing on Construction Management.

It was kind of an epiphany moment for me. Josh’s best friend’s dad owns a construction company, and they helped build one of Josh and Daniel’s designs from the ground up. I was in total awe seeing Josh and Daniel’s design come to life.

I thought I wanted to go into architecture design at first but then realized I don’t want to come up with the idea and hand it to someone else, I want to execute the project. Plus, I’m shit at drawing. Daniel suggested I look into construction management, and everything clicked into place.

There’s also not a lot of women in the construction world, and I want to change that.

“It’s so nice. I find I have a lot more free time now, though it’s weird not having to account for homework time in my weekly schedule. ”

Daniel nods. “I remember not knowing what to do with my free time when I didn’t have homework to do anymore.”

Josh nods too. “And are you still looking for jobs in the construction field?”

“Yes, I’ve applied to a few jobs, but no one’s responded. I think they see a woman’s name and automatically assume I don’t know what I’m doing. Which, to be frank, I don’t. Not really, but I can’t learn unless I’m taught, you know?”

I dip the crispy mandu in the tangy dipping sauce while Josh and Daniel share a look. I hate not being privy to their fraternal mental conversions sometimes.

“Well,” Daniel starts, “as much as we don’t want to lose you, we know you’d make an amazing PM.”

“So,” Josh continues, “I talked to Enzo Rossi, Ben’s dad. They’re expanding and looking to add another project manager to the team. I told him about you..”

From what I’ve gathered, Ben is Josh’s friend from high school.

They were both on the tennis team and—knowing Josh—he forced Ben into being his friend.

Josh talks about their friendship fondly, like Ben’s another brother to him, even if Josh also describes him as a grumpy asshole.

Even though I’ve worked here for four years and have been invited to parties where Ben might be present, I’ve never met him.

Anticipation skitters down my spine as I wait for Josh to continue, but he doesn’t, always one for dramatics.

Finally, after what feels like hours, Josh starts talking again. “I ranted and raved about you, Em. I told Enzo what a hard worker you are, how quickly you learn new things, and how passionate you are about the projects we’ve had you work on.”

“Joshua Allen Kirkham if you don’t get to the point I’m going to take all the tteokbokki for myself,” I threaten, pointing my chopsticks at him.

Josh gasps. “You wouldn’t dare . You don’t even like tteokbokki!”

“Don’t underestimate me. I’ve done a lot of things out of spite.”

Josh laughs, unaffected by my threats. “Enzo Rossi would be more than happy to have you on his team.”

I gape at him. “Are you serious? He doesn’t want to interview me first?”

Josh shakes his head. “Nah, not a formal one. He’ll give you a call when we’re done with lunch to go over the position, though.

Enzo likes to go with his gut. Me vouching for you, and the fact you have a degree and passion for the job is enough for him.

Everything else you need to know can be learned. ”

“I—” Emotion clogs my throat, and I push down the urge to start sobbing. “I can’t express how grateful I am, Josh. Truly. Thank you so much.” I get up and round the table, wrapping my arms around him in a tight hug.

As I sit back down, Daniel gives me a sad smile. “We’re going to miss you a lot, Em. But we’re excited to watch you succeed.”

“Thanks, Daniel.” I just hope I don’t let them down.